Since the retirement of Serena Williams, women’s tennis has been largely dominated by young players in their 20s. It is a great effort which has brought a nice competition to the fans watching and loving the game. As we resume 2024, It will be quite crucial to see if the trend will continue to happen or if experienced campaigners will come to the party and lead the way. With the Australian Open about to begin, youngsters leading as the favorite to win it. Let’s look at those favorites.
Ons Jabeur
Can the African Queen etch herself into the history books..? The African people’s eyes will be on Ons Jabeur to see if she can deliver a much-awaited Grand Slam and become the first continental woman to do so. In the past, she has come close three times losing twice in the Wimbdelon Open and one time in US Open. Known as the warrior due to her fighting spirit on court, Jabeur hopes this year will bring the light. It won’t be an easy task but in the past, she has shown that she is made of steel. Her beat effort in the competition was in the quarter-finals in 2020 and it is her hands to change that.
Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff is one of the most talented players that has ever graced the sport. It is no doubt that at the age of 19, she has a Grand Slam on her trophy cabinet. That major came on home soil winning last year’s US Open to close the year on a very high note. Gauff has indicated that she wants to continue where she left off. Last week she won her second consecutive Auckland Open title defeating Elina Svitolina in the final. Her record in Australia is not fancy as twice she crashed out of the fourth round. But the form she has shown makes her among the favorites to win the title.
Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalenka will have to fight with all she has to defend her Australian Open title. Last year, Sabalenka reigned supreme in Australia defeating Elena Rybakina in the final. Then throughout the year, she remained consistent reaching the semi-finals of the other three Grand Slams and even going further to the final in the US Open. So, returning to Australia, the 25-year-old Bearlus International star poses a huge threat to the opponents. Can she successfully defend her crown?
Elena Rybakina
Has Elena Rybakina overcome bad memories of losing the Australian Open final last year? Rybakina will have a big point to prove when she starts the competition. Last year, she came agonizing close to clinching the title losing to Aryna Sabalenka despite going one set up. In her mind, she is still asking herself what went wrong one day. In preparation for the Australian Open, Rybakina thrashed her rival Aryna Sabalenka 6:0, 6:3 in the final of the Brisbane Open on Sunday the 24-year-old has become one of the most dangerous players on the court and would take a hard effort to dispatch her. So, it would be interesting to see if she can go all the way and wipe last year’s disappointments.
Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek enters the main draw as the highest-ranked player and the top seed. The pressure is on her to deliver. The 22-year-old Polish International sensation had a very fabulous 2023 as she was unstoppable on the court and went on to win his third French Open trophy. In Australia though, she hasn’t reached the final with the best effort being the semi-final exit in 2022. Last year, she crashed out of the fourth round at the hands of Elena Rybakina. Can she turn the tables?