Vandeweghe fan girls over next opponent Venus Williams

After sweeping past Garbine Muguruza to reach her first career semifinal at the Australian Open, CoCo Vandeweghe gave the stadium a big laugh talking about her next opponent Venus Williams.

The 25-year-old revealed how she grew up watching Williams play, and even sought out an autograph from her when she was growing up in California, which she ultimately got after pushing her way through crowds.

Later in her press conference, Vandeweghe explained how she shared this story with Williams when they played together on the Fed Cup team. When hearing about the difficulty getting her autograph Williams offered her one on the spot, but Vandeweghe declined, saying, "Thanks but, no thanks. I don't have a pen or a tennis ball!"

Vandeweghe will have to set aside her admiration when she faces Williams on Thursday for a spot in the final. The two have faced off just once before in Rome last year with the 36-year-old Williams winning 6-4, 6-3.

"Like I said out on the court, it's a dream to play someone you grew up watching," Vandeweghe said. "To play an unbelievable player, future Hall of Famer, Venus, to be on the court with her, I've only experienced it one time before.

"But to do it at this stage of a Grand Slam is kind of crazy."