In 2018, 13-year-old Australian tennis player Talia Gibson dreamed of “holding the Australian Open trophy” in ten years. Now, in 2025, this Perth-based WTA star is closer than ever to making it happen. With her first Grand Slam main-draw win under her belt, Gibson is turning heads at Melbourne Park. But behind every champion lies a strong support system, and Gibson is no different. Her coach has been a game-changer in her journey leaving the fraternity intrigued: who is behind her rise, and what makes their partnership so special?

Gibson started her 2025 Australian Open campaign with an impressive first-round victory over Turkish player Zeynep Sönmez. This Perth-based WTA star fought through a nerve-wracking three-set match on Court 3, sealing the victory 3-6, 7(7)-6(5), 1-6. Gibson’s 2023 season was a testament to her rapid growth. Competing across numerous ITF tournaments, this 21-year-old star made her mark with a series of commendable performances: quarterfinals at ITF Finland and W60 Sydney 16A, finals in Slovenia and Portugal, and titles in ITF Australia 08A, 09A, and 09A. She also reached the semifinals of ITF Australia 12A and 13A. These victories not only established her status as an emerging talent but also drew attention to her exceptional mentorship.

The newcomer experienced a meteoric rise in 2023, jumping from a WTA rank of 1200 to 341. During this pivotal period, she trained under the renowned David Taylor, former coach of Sam Stosur and Ana Ivanovic. Under his guidance, she qualified for the Australian Open at just 18, leaving him impressed. Taylor praised Gibson’s rapid development, commenting, “The year that she has had was a really good level of development in a very short time. She’s gone from being well behind a world level for her age to being on par now.” He confidently predicted her trajectory toward the Top 100, highlighting, “By the time Talia is 20 to 21, at her current rate of development, you’d be expecting her to be a top-100 player. Now that could happen earlier, which would be great.” Drawing comparisons to his former star students, Taylor believed Gibson shared similar traits with Stosur, a former doubles number one, which fueled his confidence in Gibson’s skills.

After Taylor, Gibson’s mentorship transitioned seamlessly to Codie George, a high-performance coach at Tennis Australia’s National Tennis Academy. George, invited by Samantha Stosur to support Team Australia during the Billie Jean King Cup qualifier, took over the WTA star’s development last year. Reflecting on her coaching philosophy, George stated, “My philosophy is about the importance of the training standards you consistently bring each day. That is where the magic happens.” She commended Gibson’s commitment, noting, “Talia has made a conscious effort to step up her physicality, intensity, and intent, and in doing so, has made a lot of improvements.” Expressing pride in her pupil, she added, “I enjoy seeing growth in something that I’ve helped be a part of.”

While Gibson’s singles performance showcased her potential, her doubles season had a modest start as well. Partnering with fellow Australian Maya Joint, they reached the Round of 16 at the Brisbane International before falling to Lyudmyla Kichenok and Chan Hao-ching. The duo also made the Hobart International quarterfinals but were defeated by Wu Fang-Hsien and Jiang Xinyu. The results hint at a promising doubles career too, but her singles achievements in ITF events have placed her in the spotlight. Under George’s guidance, Gibson has progressed a lot, securing five ITF titles and breaking into the Top 200. The Perth-born player acknowledges her coach’s instrumental role in her journey highlighting how George’s support and belief in her potential inspire Gibson to push her limits. What exactly did Gibson say about George?

Talia Gibson found Codie George’s support “valuable” for her “growth”

Gibson revealed to ‘The First Serve’ that her tennis journey started when she competed in the Red Ball stage for juniors. She also mentioned how supportive her family has been about her professional journey in sports. However, her true potential only came alive later. Once Gibson entered the ITF events, there was no coming back. In her impressive journey, George – who she had known since a junior tour in Germany in her early teens – and his mentorship were pivotal.

The 21-year-old WTA star praised her coach. “We’ve been working extremely well together and I’m super grateful for how much time and effort she puts into helping me work towards my goals and dreams. To have someone like Codie who travels with me for tournaments is valuable for my growth. We’ve only been working together for over 12 months, but already we’ve developed a strong relationship. I love having her in my corner,” Gibson added.

Talia Gibson’s promising 2025 Australia Open beginning has fuelled the fraternity’s hope to see her achieving a big milestone this season. With Codie George’s support by her side, this Perth-based player might truly surprise followers worldwide with her potential. So, Are you excited?