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The first Grand Slam tournament of the year is already here, with the Australian Open 2025 marking its commencement in Melbourne Park. Although the qualifiers have already begun, fans can witness all the big names battling it out for the first Grand Slam of the year from January 12, Sunday. On the men's side, Italy's Jannik Sinner will be defending the title. In contrast, on the women's side, it'll be the Belarusian icon Aryna Sabalenka, who will be featured in the competition to defend her title while aiming to win her third 'Happy Slam' on the trot.
Having said that, Sabalenka might be a favorite for the cup once again, but her road to a fourth Grand Slam title won't be a bed of roses, as there are plenty of challengers in the line to pose a threat to her crown. Some of these challengers in the line are the 2022 US Open Champion, Coco Gauff of the United States, and the five-time Grand Slam holder, Iga Swiatek, who will also be looking to win her first Australian Open. With that being said, here is a lineup for the women's singles.
The top contenders for the Australian Open 2025 other than Aryna Sabalenka
Coco Gauff
The 20-year-old American standout had a mixed 2024 season where she won the WTA Finals singles title before experiencing a forgettable season beginning with the Australian Open itself, where she faced defeat against Sabalenka. This losing streak continued until the China Open in October, where she won the finals and then capped off the season with the WTA Finals title. However, things have changed lately for her as she is coming fresh off a triumphant beginning to the 2025 season where she defeated Swiatek in the United Cup final to bring the US their second title. Her best performance in the Australia Open has been reaching the semifinals last year, which she would be aiming to change this year. Gauff will begin her campaign on January 12, where she is scheduled to play against her compatriot Sofia Kenin.
Iga Swiatek
Swiatek is known for her exceptional athletic skills, with five Grand Slam titles under her name; she would be coming for her first Australian Open. However, the 23-year-old Pole did not have such a great start to the season, as she failed to cross the finish line in the United Cup recently. Reaching the semifinals of the 2022 Australian Open was her best tournament performance. The world No. 2 will be beginning her pursuits for a sixth Grand Slam on January 13 against the Czech Republic's Kateřina Siniaková.
Qinwen Zheng
The Chinese icon missed the Australian Open title just by the skin of her teeth in 2024 when she failed to triumph over Sabalenka, and her wait to win her first Grand Slam extended to 2025. Currently ranked world No. 5, Zheng also reached the finals of the WTA Finals singles, but Gauff displayed a performance, and she failed to win another big championship in 2024. She will be beginning her Australian Open 2025 campaign on January 12 against Romania's Anca Todoni.
Elena Rybakina
The 2023 Wimbledon Champion, Rybakina, also missed the Australian Open title in 2023, where she was defeated by Sabalenka. She will be entering Melbourne Park to win her second Grand Slam. The world No. 6 will start her Australian Open 2025 endeavors on January 13 against the home favorite, Emerson Jones.
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