This would be the perfect way to start the season, but it remains to be seen who can produce their best tennis over the next fortnight to claim the title.

Sometimes it can be tough to predict a Grand Slam winner, but Andy Roddick, who won his lone major at the 2003 US Open, has given it his best shot.

Who does Andy Roddick think will win the Australian Open on the women’s tour?

There are two names that seem to be mentioned more than most when predicting the WTA winner for the Australian Open.

One is Coco Gauff, who has lost just two matches since September’s US Open and claimed three titles along the way.

She is playing her best tennis since the summer of 2023 when she won the Washington, Cincinnati US Open titles.

The other name is Aryna Sabalenka, the World number one and two-time defending champion at Melbourne Park. She has lost just one match in Australia since the start of 2023 and will commence her title defence after winning the Brisbane International.

Previewing the tournament on his ‘Served podcast’, Roddick has gone for Sabalenka winning her third straight Australian Open crown. “I think Iga is going to be in the final. I like Sabalenka over Swiatek in the final of the Australian Open,” he said.

“Coming into this draw show I was 95% sure who I was going to choose as the winner. Especially on hard courts and at majors I think Sabalenka has proven that she is different.

“She came in and won Brisbane, I think once she won Brisbane that was already written in, regardless of what these names on the page say. I like Sabalenka to win the tournament.”

Andy Roddick predicts the Australian Open men’s winner

Roddick also named the player he thinks will win the Australian Open on the men’s side.

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are both aiming to make history should they lift the title at Melbourne Park in a fortnight’s time.

The Serbian is aiming for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam and 11th at the Australian Open, while the World number three is seeking his first, which would make him the youngest player to win all four majors.

But Roddick has gone for Jannk Sinner to retain the title and win the third Grand Slam of his career. “I have got Sinner/Alcaraz [in the final] and I have got Sinner winning this tournament,” he said.

His co-presenter Jon Wertheim added: “I am too. I think a lot can happen, we are a long way away from the days of a big three. A lot of variables.

“Zverev could win this tournament or go down in the first round. But I am with you, I think Sinner is your defending champion.”

Related Topics