Coco Gauff ahead of Iga Swiatek in Australian Open 2025 favorites list: Tennis insider

Tennis journalist Jon Wertheim recently claimed that Coco Gauff is the favorite ahead of Iga Swiatek for the 2025 Australian Open. The two have faced each other 14 times on the WTA Tour, with Swiatek emerging victorious in 11 of those encounters.

Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek kicked off their 2025 season at the United Cup, where both players led their respective nations to the final. Despite a valiant effort from the Pole, Coco Gauff led Team USA over the line and helped them win the title for the second time, while Poland settled for the runner-up spot.

Following their campaign at the United Cup, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek are preparing for the 2025 Australian Open which is scheduled to run from January 12 to January 26. Last year, the former World No.1 exited in the third round, whereas Gauff reached the semifinals before succumbing to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka.

Recently, while speaking on Tennis Channel, Jon Wertheim discussed the top contenders and favorites for this year's Australian Open. While acknowledging that Aryna Sabalenka is "the" favorite since she is the double-defending champion, Wertheim also mentioned that Coco Gauff is the favorite ahead of Iga Swiatek due to her recent impressive performances and notable "technical adjustments" and improvements.

“The little technical adjustments she [Coco Gauff] made are really paying off. I think we will talk about [Aryna] Sabalenka. I'm sure who will be the favourite in Australia - The defending champion. But I think Coco is right up there ahead of Iga,” Jon Wertheim said [1:01].

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A look into Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek's best performance at the Australian Open

Coco Gauff & Iga Swiatek at WTA Finals 2024 [Source: Getty]

Coco Gauff achieved her best result at the Australian Open in 2024 when she reached the semifinals. She was the fourth seed in the tournament and began her campaign by defeating Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 6-3, 6-0 in the first round. She then went on to beat fellow American Caroline Dolehide 7-6(2), 6-2 in the second round

The World No. 3 then triumphed over Alycia Parks and Magdalena Frech in the third and fourth rounds, respectively. In the quarterfinals, Gauff defeated Marta Kostyuk 7-6(6), 6-7(3), 6-2 before facing a semifinal defeat to eventual champion, Aryna Sabalenka.

On the other hand, Iga Swiatek's best performance at the Australian Slam was in 2022, when she reached the semifinals. Iga was seeded seventh at the Major and began her run by defeating Harriet Dart and Rebecca Peterson in the opening rounds.

The Pole continued her success with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over 25th seed Daria Kasatkina in the third round and a hard-fought win against Sorana Cirstea 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 in the fourth round.

Swiatek faced a challenging quarterfinal match against qualifier Kaia Kanepi, emerging victorious with a 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-3. Her campaign ended in the semifinals when she lost to eventual runner-up Danielle Collins 6-4, 6-1