Martina Navratilova objects to Coco Gauff being ahead of Iga Swiatek in Australian Open 2025 odds

Martina Navratilova has weighed in on the women's odds for the 2025 Australian Open, with Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek leading the field. The 18-time Grand Slam champion objected to Gauff being ranked ahead of Swiatek in the list.

Unsurprisingly, two-time defending champion and top seed Aryna Sabalenka is the favorite to triumph at the Australian Open. However, No. 3 seed Coco Gauff has pipped the World No. 2 Iga Swiatek to secure the second-best odds. Following closely behind them are Elena Rybakina in fourth place and Zheng Qinwen in fifth.

During a recent appearance on the Tennis Channel, Martina Navratilova analyzed the odds and asserted that she wouldn't place Gauff above the Pole. The former World No. 1 acknowledged that, despite the 11-3 head-to-head record in Swiatek's favor, the American had triumphed in their two most recent encounters at the 2024 WTA Finals and this year's United Cup.

Nevertheless, Navratilova argued that the World No. 2 had the better overall resume, contending that she would place Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek on equal footing heading into the Melbourne Slam.

"Don't know if I would put Coco ahead of Iga. Maybe even, because she has beaten her the last two times they played but Iga still, much better overall resume so I think put them even. Otherwise, pretty much agree," Navratilova said.

Both Gauff and Swiatek are on the hunt for their maiden Australian Open title, with the World No. 1 ranking also in contention. The American achieved her best result at the Major last year, making a stellar run to the semifinals before losing to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka. Meanwhile, Swiatek will aim for redemption after suffering a shock third-round loss to Linda Noskova in 2024.

Coco Gauff to lock horns with Sofia Kenin in Australian Open 1R; Iga Swiatek faces Katerina Siniakova

Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff - Source: Getty

Coco Gauff will face a formidable challenge in her opening match at the 2025 Australian Open, squaring off against Sofia Kenin. Kenin, who triumphed at the Melbourne Slam in 2020, holds a 2-1 lead in her head-to-head record against the World No. 2, including a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 victory in their most recent encounter in the first round of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships.

If Gauff triumphs over Kenin, she will face the winner of the match between Jodie Burrage and Leolia Jeanjean in the second round.

Iga Swiatek, meanwhile, will lock horns with Katerina Siniakova in her tournament opener, marking their first tour-level encounter. If the Pole emerges victorious against Siniakova, she will be up against Katie Volynets or Rebecca Sramkova in the second round.

Featuring in opposite halves of the draw, Gauff and Swiatek can only meet in the final of this year's Australian Open.