Australian Open Preview: Sabalenka, Gauff, and Osaka Lead the Charge

Get ready for the Australian Open as Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Naomi Osaka lead the pack. Who will claim the title?

Aryna Sabalenka, the world's top-ranked tennis player, is eyeing a historic third consecutive Australian Open title. However, she will face intense competition from a talented field, including Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and last year's finalist Qinwen Zheng.

Sabalenka's preparations for the Australian Open got off to a strong start, as she claimed the Brisbane International title on Sunday. Meanwhile, in Sydney, Coco Gauff made a bold statement by defeating Iga Swiatek in the United Cup final, showcasing her impressive form heading into the first Grand Slam of the season.

Coco Gauff's impressive resurgence continued as she bounced back from parting ways with coach Brad Gilbert to win the WTA 1000 in Beijing and the WTA Tour Finals, ending 2024 on a high note. The world number three appeared in top form once again, leading the US to victory over Poland in the mixed-teams event and exuding confidence ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Gauff's self-assurance is palpable, and she openly expressed her ambition to win the upcoming Grand Slam. “Honestly, before every Grand Slam I have the belief that I can win,” Gauff stated. Her conviction stems from her triumph at the 2023 US Open, her first and only major title to date. Gauff elaborated, “And especially after the US Open, I proved that I could do it. I definitely have belief that I can win.”

Iga Swiatek's return to competition at the United Cup marked her first event since serving a one-month doping suspension. The world number two began her 2025 campaign strongly, securing four consecutive singles victories before facing Coco Gauff in the final. However, Swiatek's winning streak came to an end as she suffered a 6-4, 6-4 defeat to Gauff, just a week before the Australian Open.

Despite being a five-time major champion, Swiatek has struggled to make an impact at Melbourne Park. Her best performance at the Australian Open came in 2022, when she reached the semi-finals, only to be upset by Danielle Collins. Swiatek appears to be carrying a lingering left thigh injury, which required strapping during the United Cup. However, she downplayed concerns about her fitness after the final. “I was just tired,” Swiatek said. “You know, the volume at the beginning of the tournament especially has been pretty big. But honestly, it's all good.”

Coco Gauff is confident and ready for the Australian Open, stating, “Mentally, physically, I'll be ready to go at the Australian Open. I definitely feel confident in my game.” Her victory in the United Cup final continued her impressive form from 2024, where she reached seven finals and won four tournaments.

Gauff's successful 2024 campaign saw her win several notable titles, including the Australian Open, where she successfully defended her title, and the US Open, where she claimed her first championship. She also won WTA 1000 events in Cincinnati and Wuhan. Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka recaptured the number one ranking from Iga Swiatek, who had withdrawn from the WTA's Asian swing due to “personal matters.” It was later revealed that Swiatek had served a one-month ban for testing positive for a banned heart medication, which she claims was unintentional.

In contrast to Gauff's strong preparation, China's Qinwen Zheng will head into the Australian Open without playing a warm-up event. Despite her stellar 2024 performance, which included winning Olympic gold, Zheng's lack of preparation may impact her chances in the first Grand Slam of the year.

Several top contenders, including Jasmine Paolini, Mirra Andreeva, and two-time Melbourne champion Naomi Osaka, have showcased flashes of brilliance at the start of the season. Paolini, a late bloomer at 29, demonstrated her impressive form by winning two of her three singles matches at the United Cup. This performance follows a remarkable 2024 campaign, where she reached the finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and rose to a career-high world ranking of four.

Naomi Osaka, a former world number one, returned to the circuit in 2024 after taking time off to give birth to her daughter. Although she struggled to regain her top form, which had earned her four Grand Slam titles, Osaka has shown promising signs under the guidance of her new coach, Patrick Mouratoglou. Mouratoglou, who previously coached Serena Williams, has helped Osaka rediscover her winning ways, as evident from her run to the final at Auckland. Unfortunately, Osaka was forced to withdraw from the final on Sunday due to an abdominal issue.

Naomi Osaka's abdominal issue is not believed to be a serious concern, but it may impact her performance at the Australian Open. As the world number 50, Osaka will be unseeded, making her a potentially formidable opponent for top seeds in the early rounds.

Teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva is expected to make a significant impact at Grand Slams this season. The 17-year-old Russian has already claimed one WTA title and reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros in 2024. Andreeva's recent semi-final loss to Aryna Sabalenka at the Brisbane International was closer than the 6-3, 6-2 scoreline suggests, indicating that she is a force to be reckoned with.

The Australian Open will be missing one current Grand Slam champion, as Wimbledon winner Barbora Krejcikova has withdrawn due to a back injury. Her absence will likely impact the dynamics of the women's draw, potentially opening up opportunities for other contenders.

L