Table of Contents
- The world’s best players will be back on the court this Sunday, January 12, in Melbourne as Australian Open 2025 gets underway
- The winners of both men’s and women’s singles will each receive £400,000
- With such a huge amount of money up for grabs, there will be stiff competition for the title
With one day left before the first Grand Slam of the year kicks off, we take a look at the favourites to win women’s Australian Open 2025.
The world’s best players will be back on the court this Sunday, January 12, in Melbourne as Australian Open 2025 gets underway. This year’s edition of the tournament, which has been moved to 15 days to avoid late-night finishes, will offer record prize money of £48 million. The winners of both men’s and women’s singles will each receive £400,000.
With such a huge amount of money up for grabs, there will be stiff competition for the title. Let’s highlight some of the favourites to win women’s Australian Open 2025.
1. Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka. Photo/ Puntodebreak.com.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka has all it takes to retain her crown this year. The world number one will get into action aiming to become the first woman to win three consecutive Australian Open singles titles since Martina Hingis who achieved the feat in 1997-99.
Sabalenka gets into the 2025 season after a memorable 2024 where she successfully defended the Australian Open and also clinched the US Open. Winning the WTA 1000 at Wuhan late last year saw her overtake Iga Swiatek and become world number one.
The powerful Belarusian has started her 2025 campaign with victory at the Brisbane International, where she lost just one set on her way to the title. The last time she lost in Melbourne was in 2022 when Marketa Vondrousova beat her in the third round.
2. Coco Gauff
Since winning the US Open in 2023, Coco Gauff has made a name for herself in the world of tennis. The 20-year-old is currently regarded as one of the best players in the world. She is ranked number three and is coming to the Australian Open after a difficult 2024 season in which she somehow managed to win the French Open.
Gauff has already won a title in 2025 as she beat Iga Swiatek in straight sets to win the United Cup. The American is currently being coached by the little known Matt Daly after parting ways with coach Brad Gilbert.
Coco Gauff is one of the favourites to win Women’s Australian Open 2025. Photo/ CNN.
3. Zheng Qinwen
Zheng Qinwen had a breakthrough in tennis last year and is one of the stars to watch in the upcoming Australian Open event. The Chinese suffered defeat in last year’s Australian Open final in the hands of Sabalenka but went on to secure Olympic gold in Paris as well as three WTA titles. She competed at the WTA Tour Finals in Riyadh where she lost to Gauff.
Qinwen is known for her powerful serve and heavy forehand, which makes her a threat to other players on the court. She will be aiming to become the second Chinese player to win a Grand Slam since Li Na, who won the French Open in 2011 and Australian Open in 2014.
4. Mirra Andreeva
Mirra Andreeva is only 17 but already a favourite to win this year’s Australian Open. The Russian, who is ranked world number 15, is known for her well timed shots which make her a threat on the court. She clinched her first WTA title in Iasi, Romania, in June last year, and later left the tennis world stunned after beating current world number one Sabalenka in the French Open.
Andreeva reached the semi-final at Roland Garros and will be aiming for a better results in the first Grand Slam of the year starting this Sunday. She currently coached by former Grand Slam winner Conchita Martinez.
Mirra Andreeva. Photo/ WTA.
5. Iga Swiatek
Former world number one Iga Swiatek has only progressed past the fourth round in the Australian Open once, in 2022 when she suffered defeat in the hands of Danielle Collins in the semis. But considering her status as one of best female tennis players of the current generation, Swiatek is one of the favourites to win women’s Australian Open 2025.
The Pole will be competing on her first Grand Slam of the year after serving a one-month ban for doping. She tested positive for heart medication trimetazidine.
