At the 2026 Australian Open, Australian tennis player Talia Gibson said she had one goal: “Get inside the top 100.” A mere six weeks later, she has done just that!
The Perth-born player is Australia’s newest top 100 tennis player at just 21 years old.
She’s currently enjoying her career-best week at Indian Wells 2026. Talia wowed the crowd by defeating two top 50 players in back-to-back matches. Her most prominent win was against world number seven Jasmine Paolini. The two time singes grand slam runner-up in 2024 and 2025 French Open doubles champion.
“There are so many emotions. I’m still processing not only today’s win, but what I’ve achieved this week. It’s been so awesome,” Talia said after her win. “I’ve been able to tick off so many amazing goals and achievements this week, so I’m extremely proud of that.”
Talia is joining the other four Australian women in the top 100: Maya Joint, Daria Kasatkina, Kimberly Birrell, and Ajla Tomljanović. Her ranking is currently 97.
By winning the match, Talia became the first Australian to make it to the Indian Wells tournament’s quarter finals since Casey Dellacqua in 2014. She is also the first qualifier to reach this stage in 11 years.
Elsewhere in the tournament, Aryna Sabalenka, who recently became engaged to her partner, beat Naomi Osaka. She brought her Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Ash, with her to the post-match interview and credited him with making her feel better.
