SUMMARY
- Australian Open 2024 unfolds at Melbourne Park, featuring intense women's competition with no clear favorite for the singles competition..
- Iga Swiatek, current world no. 1, boasts a remarkable 16-match winning streak showing her rich vein of form among other contenders.
The Australian Open 2024 has kicked off at Melbourne Park, and tennis enthusiasts worldwide are already anticipating who will be the titleholders of the first Grand Slam of the year. The competition on the women’s side is intense, with none of them being bracketed as a clear favorite. Let’s delve into some of the top contenders that can potentially win the coveted trophy.
Iga Swiatek
Poland’s tennis sensation, Iga Swiatek, enters the Australian Open riding a wave of exceptional form, boasting a 16-match winning streak. What sets Swiatek apart is not just her wins but how she achieves them. Over the last two years, she has asserted her dominance by giving the most bagels (scores of 6-0) in the game.
oh she took it 🫳🏆 pic.twitter.com/YcBIK1PZi4
— WTA Finals (@WTAFinals) November 7, 2023
This young powerhouse, current world no. 1 and winner of four Grand Slams, including last year’s WTA Finals, has not lost a singles match since September. Her skill sets, along with her mental fortitude, make her a formidable opponent. As Swiatek steps onto the Melbourne courts, fans and analysts are keen to witness if she can continue her stellar performance and potentially secure her first Australian Open title.
Coco Gauff
The teenage sensation Coco Gauff enters the Australian Open with newfound confidence and a game that continues to evolve. Gauff’s triumph at the last major, the US Open, and her successful defense of the title in Auckland indicate her ability to perform consistently at the highest level.
Coco Gauff went from being a kid in the stands to a US Open champion.
Anything is possible. pic.twitter.com/1kce1ANO6E
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2023
Notably, Gauff has worked on her weaker side—the forehand—during the pre-season and developed into a potent weapon. Her all-court game and her lightning-fast court coverage make her the most difficult opponent to get past in the women’s game. Observers will be keen to see if Gauff can win her second consecutive major, making a lasting impact on the stage.
Aryna Sabalenka
As the defending champion at the Australian Open, world no. 2, Aryna Sabalenka comes into the tournament as a consistent force in the Grand Slam arena. Sabalenka’s aggressive groundstrokes pose a challenge for many opponents, evident in her reaching at least the semifinals of all majors last year.
SABALENKA IS CROWNED #AO2023 CHAMPION 👑 pic.twitter.com/tO8PoYxDSr
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 28, 2023
Her power strokes suit the faster hardcourts of Melbourne Park. She had finished runners-up in the last major at the US Open. Sabalenka’s dynamic game style makes her one of the top contenders to watch closely at Melbourne Park.
Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, brings her commanding serve coupled with her power game, bringing her undeniable prowess to the Australian Open. Her impressive run in Brisbane, where she dispatched Sabalenka in the final with a convincing score of 6-0, 6-3, signals her form and readiness for the Grand Slam.
The moment Elena Rybakina became a Wimbledon champion 👏 #Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/gVCU9oqxx5
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2022
Rybakina’s performance in the coming matches will undoubtedly be fueled by her powerful strokes and ice-cool temperament, which helped her reach the finals of the last edition. Fans will be keeping a close eye on whether she can translate her recent successes into a deep run at Melbourne Park.
Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula aims to overcome the quarter-final hurdle that has been a stumbling block in her Grand Slam journey. Despite this, Pegula remains undeterred. Her recent victories against top 10 players showcased her career-high ranking of world no. 3 achieved last year, affirming her potential to advance into the later stages of the tournament and potentially emerge victorious.
Her solid and consistent playing style helped her secure the runner-up trophy at the season-ending WTA Finals last year, demonstrating her rich vein of form. As Pegula steps onto the courts at the Australian Open, there is a sense of promise and determination surrounding her.
The Australian Open 2024 promises a thrilling showcase of talent from some of the top women’s contenders. Whether it’s Swiatek’s remarkable winning streak, Gauff’s evolving game, Sabalenka’s quest as defending champion, Elena Rybakina’s powerful presence, or Jessica Pegula’s determination to break through, each player brings a unique story to the courts of Melbourne Park.