John McEnroe makes Australian Open women’s title prediction as he picks from Sabalenka, Swiatek, Gauff

Ewan West
John McEnroe, Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff
John McEnroe has named his Australian Open women's singles favourites

John McEnroe has predicted that the 2025 Australian Open women’s singles title will be won by one of two players, and he did not name Iga Swiatek in his analysis.

Aryna Sabalenka is the world No 1 and two-time defending Australian Open champion, while she won her third Grand Slam title at the 2024 US Open. The 26-year-old Belarusian started the 2025 season by securing her 18th career title at the WTA 500 tournament in Brisbane.

Coco Gauff, who won her only major to date at the 2023 US Open, is another player in blistering form having inspired the United States to victory at the United Cup.

The 20-year-old American won all five of her United Cup singles matches — and her two doubles matches — without losing a set.

Sabalenka and Gauff could meet in the semi-finals at the hard-court major in Melbourne for the second consecutive year after the former’s straight-set victory in 2024.

Iga Swiatek, the world No 2 and a five-time Grand Slam winner, is on the opposite side of the draw to Sabalenka and Gauff.

The 23-year-old Pole is vying for her maiden Australian Open title and second major crown outside of Roland Garros to add to her 2022 US Open victory.

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McEnroe, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, backed either Sabalenka or Gauff to lift the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.

“Sabalenka is playing incredible tennis and she’s playing with more confidence, she’s worked hard to add more variety to her game, she obviously has the power,” the American legend told Eurosport.

“But I think Coco’s in a better place than she’s been in her career so far. She had a great run with Brad Gilbert, won [the US] Open.

“She’s got a bit of a new team here, but she’s thinking more on her own now, growing up, and she’s absolutely a threat. Those are the two players to me, one of those two players I think is going to win it.”

Former world No 4 Tim Henman also gave his thoughts on Gauff’s prospects.

“You reflect on her performance at the [2024] US Open, she was there as defending champion and it looked like it was pretty stressful,” said the six-time major semi-finalist.

“It looked like she was struggling mentally with her game and technically with her forehand and second serve.

“But towards the end of last year, she played some incredible tennis and I think she’s been able to maintain that momentum.

“With her athletic ability and the way she’s able to stay in rallies — the forehand is something she’s always working on — I think so far, so good.”

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