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via Getty

via Getty

We’re all set for the first Grand Slam tournament of the 2025 season. The draw is up on the table and there are some tough tests lining up for the superstars in the early rounds. For example, as per several reports, America’s Coco Gauff is all set to start her campaign against the 2020 AO winner, Sofia Kenin. Last year, she reached the SF of this mega event. Can Gauff’s incredible form in the last few months give her the upper hand in this year’s AO? Well, recently, ESPN commentators John McEnroe and Rennae Stubbs made a prediction on the same. What did they say?

Shortly after defeating Iga Swiatek at the 2025 United Cup final match, Coco Gauff said, “I have the belief that I’m one of the best players in the world. When I play good tennis, I’m hard to beat.” Gauff started the 2024 season with a title at the ASB Classic and ended the season by clinching the WTA Finals. Surely in the later phases of the season, she looked really hard to beat, but does it make her a favorite in the bigger event though? Recently, during an interview on ESPN, American tennis legend, John McEnroe was asked to comment on what does think about Coco Gauff and Taylor Fritz’s chances after winning the United Cup.

In reply to that, John McEnroe said that he doesn’t think that has anything to do with their chances of winning the AO. He heaped praise on Taylor Fritz’s incredible performances in the last twelve months and added, “He’s 4 in the world, so that’s already incredible.” However, he sounded more optimistic about Coco Gauff’s chances at the 2025 AO. “Coco seems to be sort of getting her mojo back and playing as well as she played, or close to it, as when she won the Open,” said John McEnroe.

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Coco Gauff won all of her six matches, not dropping a set en router. After clinching her incredible win in Sydney, she was also seen pulling out the shovel celebration to bring delight to her fans. Talking about her chances in Melbourne, McEnroe added, “To me, Coco obviously if you’re going to ask me who’s going to win the next one first, it would certainly be her. Taylor has put himself in as good a position as he’s ever been in.

What does Coco Gauff think about her upcoming mission in Melbourne, though? After winning the United Cup with Team USA, Coco Gauff said, “Obviously, this start of the season gives me a lot of confidence. I feel like when I’m playing confident tennis, I’m playing great tennis. I definitely feel confident going into AO.” Will she really be hard to beat at the 2025 AO? What does Serena Williams’ former coach, Rennae Stubbs have to say about this?

Rennae Stubbs highlights the bigger challenges for Coco Gauff while showcasing her optimism for her in the 2025 AO

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Can Coco Gauff's confidence and form overcome the tough draw at the 2025 Australian Open?

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Coco Gauff reached the SF of the AO last year, but she was defeated by the eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka by two sets in that match. Can she make a longer run in this season? Well, previously during the podcast, Rennae Stubbs said, “I think after the way she finished the way she did that is going to be really interesting to see. I do believe she has absolutely put her hands up to be one of the favorites for the Australian Open.” 

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Not only Stubbs even, several tennis experts like Andy Roddick, John Isner, and Rick Macci had predicted a big year for this 20-year-old American. Macci was even heard saying, “Confidence breeds confidence. She always had that in her back pocket but now shifted to her front pocket and Coco will launch like a rocket. Number one around the corner.” Will she end the 2025 year on the highest note? Time will tell!

However, further highlighting her optimism surrounding Gauff’s chances in the early phases of this season, Rennae Stubbs said, “I think Coco looks as good now as she did when she won the US Open. Like she is hitting the forehand with such confidence, she’s not freaking out when the ball is going there when someone is drilling it there. She’s using the loop really well. She doesn’t miss a ball from the back of the court.

During the same interview on ESPN, Stubbs also highlighted, “Her biggest issue is her second serve, and at the United Cup, her serve was really solid and good.” The United Cup was more like an exhibition and now it’ll be interesting to see if she can deliver a similar excellence on the bigger stage in Melbourne. According to Stubbs, the second challenge for Gauff will be to beat Aryna Sabalenka at the AO. She has been been handed a very tough draw this year. As things stand as of now, she may face Sabalenka in the SF.

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Speaking more about these two players, Rennae Stubbs added, “Sabalenka has looked pretty damned good in Australia over the last couple of years. But for me, Coco is playing as well as I’ve ever, ever seen her, and her fitness is off the charts.” Coco Gauff has faced Aryna Sabalenka nine times in her career and interestingly she has a lead of 5-4 in their H2H. Can Gauff overcome all the hurdles and clinch her second Grand Slam title in the 2025 AO itself?

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Can Coco Gauff's confidence and form overcome the tough draw at the 2025 Australian Open?