The Australian Open is just around the corner, and the draws are finally out! While tennis fans and players alike are busy analyzing potential matchups, surprisingly not every player is keeping up with the schedule. During an exhibition match just ahead of the AO on Jan 9, the American star Coco Gauff teamed up with Andrey Rublev to take on Lleyton Hewitt and Daria Saville. The mixed doubles clash brought entertainment and laughs, but it was the post-match interaction that stole the show.

Gauff has been in phenomenal form this season. She kick-started the year with an MVP-worthy performance at the United Cup, where she went 5-0 in singles matches. This included a stunning straight-sets victory over former World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the final, helping Team USA clinch the title.

And the World No. 3 carried the momentum into the mixed doubles exhibition with Rublev. However, after their victory, when ex-WTA pro-Andrea Petkovic accidentally revealed Gauff’s opponent for the first round of the Australian Open, to everyone’s surprise, Gauff wasn’t even aware. Taken by surprise, the 2023 US Open champion admitted, “I mean I just found out who I play. I didn’t know. It’s okay.”

Petkovic quickly apologized, asking, “I am so sorry. Are you a person that doesn’t like to?” The 20-year-old responded coolly, “No, I don’t care. I just didn’t know. It’s a tough match for sure. She’s been playing great tennis. I have played her a few times but feeling good about my game, and the United Cup was a lot of fun. But I am happy to be here in Melbourne.”

Gauff’s first-round opponent is none other than fellow American and 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin. Kenin, once a top player, has struggled to regain her form since her triumph in Melbourne five years back. She is positioned 86th in the WTA rankings right now, but she does hold the upper hand over Gauff historically.

Kenin has won two out of the three encounters between the two players, with one of the victories coming during her title-winning campaign in Melbourne 2020. The 26-year-old then went on to defeat Gauff again in the 2023 Wimbledon Championships

Gauff’s confidence, however, is sky-high at the moment, as she looks to build on her semifinal finish at last year’s Australian Open. In 2024, her campaign was cut short by Aryna Sabalenka, who went on to win the title. This year, she aims to go all the way. But who stands in her way?

A tough road ahead for Coco Gauff at the Australian Open

Coco Gauff’s meteoric rise over the past few months has been remarkable. After a disappointing summer in 2024, she made a bold coaching change, parting ways with Brad Gilbert and bringing in Matt Daly. The move paid off, as Gauff ended 2024 on a high, winning titles at the China Open and WTA Finals. Her current form and growing confidence make her one of the top contenders for the Australian Open title.

The early rounds of the Australian Open seem manageable for Coco Gauff, although Kenin will be a tricky challenge. However, should she get past Kenin, Gauff is set to face either a qualifier or Jodie Burrage in the second round. The real challenge begins in the third round, where she is projected to play Canada’s Leylah Fernandez.

Things heat up in the later rounds. In the fourth round, the American tennis star could face either Karolina Muchova or Jelena Ostapenko. Gauff leads the head-to-head record against both, giving her an edge. However, the quarterfinals might pit her against compatriot Jessica Pegula, who has historically been a tough opponent. Pegula holds a 4-2 lead in their head-to-head battles, including victories in high-stakes matches.

Should Gauff overcome Pegula, she will likely face Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals—a chance to avenge her loss from last year. If all go well, a blockbuster final against Iga Swiatek could be on the cards. Gauff recently defeated Swiatek at the United Cup, and their new rivalry adds an extra layer of excitement.

The road to the trophy won’t be easy, but Gauff’s resilience and momentum might just see her through. Can the 20-year-old tennis sensation finally claim her second Grand Slam in Melbourne? What do you think?