Australian Open: Gauff 'carries the weight of a champion', says Burrage

Jodie Burrage acknowledged Coco Gauff "carries the weight of a champion" following her Australian Open exit at the hands of the former US Open winner.

Burrage bowed out of the season's first major following a 6-3 7-5 defeat to Gauff.

The world number three has reeled off four sets without reply in her opening two matches, and will play 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez in the third round.

It was Gauff's 14th victory at the Australian Open, with only Maria Sharapova (25) and Kim Clijsters (19) winning more matches in Melbourne in the 21st century before turning 21.

"She just carries the weight of a champion. She's a Grand Slam champion at such a young age. You obviously forget how young she is," Burrage said of her opponent.

"It didn't go through my mind at all when I was playing her about how young she is. I was just playing the person down the other end of the net.

"She's got such a good reputation with people and as a tennis player. She's such a good tennis player. I think it just took me a while to get into the match and get used to my surroundings and the court."

Burrage had responded well to losing the opening set, breaking twice in the second for a 5-3 lead.

However, the Briton could not capitalise, with Gauff reeling off the last four games to get over the line, and later admitted she took her foot off the gas when in the ascendancy.

"I was so in the moment and quite pumped up that I was just on repeat," Burrage reflected. "I had given everything to try and break her that I kind of just said: 'Okay, I've broken her', and kind of relaxed a little bit.

"As soon as you do that against a player like her, well, you saw what happened. It didn't go well for me."

Once a kid, always a kid#AO2025 @CocoGauff pic.twitter.com/lgpEpLoBdY

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 15, 2025