The 2024 Australian Open will be one of the most riveting Grand Slams in recent memory, given the myriad of contenders.
There has not been a successful title defense at this tournament since 2013, so Aryna Sabalenka could have her hands full when she returns to Melbourne.
But incidentally, the last woman to win back-to-back Australian Opens was a Belarusian (Victoria Azarenka), so this could be a good omen for Sabalenka.
You could make a case for as many as ten players quite capable of winning the women's edition of the 2024 Australian Open, and we've done our best to narrow down the list to five names who we think have a stronger chance than the rest of the field.
5. Elena Rybakina
The fifth spot on our list was a close shootout between Elena Rybakina and Ons Jabeur before we gave our vote of confidence to the Kazakhstani player.
Unlike Jabeur, Rybakina has won a Grand Slam and has been to an Australian Open final. Additionally, on hard courts, the 24-year-old possesses one of the most devastating serves in women's tennis that sends shivers down the spines of her opponents.
After last season's disappointment at losing to Sabalenka, expect the big-serving Rybakina to be dialed in when she jets into Melbourne.
4. Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula won a tour-leading 43 matches on hard courts - the most of any woman last season. It is not by accident that she is featured on our list as the fourth favorite to win the Australian Open.
A three-time quarterfinalist at Melbourne Park, Pegula's primary goal in 2024 would be to cross that barrier at the Grand Slam level, and maybe she'll get the slice of good fortune this time.
3. Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka was the WTA's most consistent performer at the Grand Slams. It could even be argued she was the most dominant player overall, given that she led Iga Swiatek in the WTA live race in 43 of 44 weeks and finished second in year-end rankings.
Returning to Melbourne as the defending champion adds a bit of pressure, but if anything, Sabalenka has proven to be as hard as nails on the big stage, and you can rest assured she's not loosening her grip on the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup without a fight.
2. Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff now has a Grand Slam pedigree after her exploits at last year's US Open. She proved that she belonged to this elite band of players. The 19-year-old is already making noise at the top of the standings.
Gauff's journey to become the World No. 1 will start in January. She'll aim to challenge Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, and winning the Australian Open will be a giant leap in realizing that dream.
1. Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek will surf into the new year on an 11-match unbeaten streak after sweeping titles in Beijing and Cancun at the end of last season. That's a stat worthy of consideration in ranking the top favorite to win the women's edition of the Australian Open in 2024.
Swiatek also owns a winning head-to-head record against three of the other four women in this list and defeated Coco Gauff, Aryna Sabalenka, and Jessica Pegula in a trice en route to the WTA Finals crown at the back end of last season. No wonder even tennis pundits are casting their votes on the Pole to topple the field in Melbourne.
0 Comments