The Spring Gully Bigpond player has been in sensational form recently and is set to compete against the world’s best young players at the Open, starting Sunday.

The 16-year-old may need to pinch herself when she walks on to the court at Melbourne Park, but having won the national title there she is confident of performing well.

“It hasn’t really sunk in, I’m sure it will kick in when I get there,” Long said.

“I feel like there’s nothing to lose, but I’m still going there hoping to do well. Just going back there again, I kind of feel like they’re my lucky courts.”

Long’s sporting dream is to play in the Australian Open and she hopes to use the junior tournament as a stepping stone to greater heights as many tennis champions have done before her.

“I’m very excited, one of my main goals is to play in the Australian Open. This is the juniors, but it’s a step in the right direction,” Long said.

“It’s a strong field, there are a few girls at this tournament that will be going into the world top 20, or even the top 10 one day.”

Long won her first open-age tournament in November before claiming the national title last month.

As national under-16 champion, Long received a wildcard into the Open and a girls’ international tournament in Traralgon last week.

She faced American Gabrielle Faith Andrews, the 60th ranked junior in the world, and pushed her all the way in a 6-4 6-4 first-round loss which she said was great preparation for the Open.

Long had several chances against Andrews and said it was a great experience to be around most of the girls who will be playing at Melbourne Park next week.

The Open junior draw will be finalised after the girls’ and boys’ two-day qualifying event, which starts today.