“I had chances in both sets, but she played better tonight,” Coco Gauff said, after losing to Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open 2024. Both the WTA stars are well aware of each others’ potential. In a total of 9 matches played between them, Gauff leads with 5 wins under her belt. Despite these odds, big names in the tennis community are backing the Belarusian, ahead of the 2025 season. Considering Sabalenka’s massive year-end achievements, former pro-Tim Henman has made a staggering prediction.

Henman shared his thoughts on the 2025 Australian Open favorites in a recent interview with Sky Sports. He said, “I’ll probably continue that. I think on the women’s side, Sabalenka was rightfully the player of 2024. She played really well on hard court and has an impressive game. I think she solved some of her serve problems on the second ball, so she’s definitely the player to beat. On the men’s side, Alcaraz and Sinner are the favorites, but Djokovic has won 10 times there, he knows what to do. With Andy Murray in his box, it’ll be interesting to see how he does.”

Aryna Sabalenka’s 2024 season solidified Henman’s faith in her. She delivered dominating performances against top players and showcased her growth. One of her standout victories came at the Australian Open, where she beat Coco Gauff. Sabalenka’s powerful serve and relentless groundstrokes were too much for Gauff, leading to a swift 6-3, 6-0 victory. The match wrapped up in just over an hour, highlighting Sabalenka’s commanding form on hard courts.

Sabalenka’s success was not limited to hard courts. She claimed a significant win against Iga Swiatek at the Madrid Open, overcoming the Polish star 6-4, 6-3. This match marked Sabalenka’s first win over Swiatek on clay and demonstrated her ability to adjust her aggressive play to different surfaces. Her strong serve and aggressive tactics helped her control the pace and seize victory.

Sabalenka’s achievements in 2024 include winning her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, lifting the Madrid Open trophy, winning the US Open and reaching the semis of the WTA Finals. Her consistent performances throughout the year ensured she finished the year at the top the rankings, cementing her status as a dominant force in women’s tennis. She led the WTA prize money list with $9,729,260, followed by Coco Gauff with $9,353,847 and Iga Swiatek with $8,550,693. This marked the first time in WTA history that multiple players earned over $9 million in a single season, making 2024 a milestone year for women’s tennis.

While Sabalenka is arguably the best player in the world right now, what makes her special is the empathy that she has even for her opponents.

When Aryna Sabalenka reflected on Coco Gauff’s serve struggles in Wuhan

Aryna Sabalenka owned the stage during her semifinal match against Coco Gauff at the Wuhan Open. The clash was an example of both players’ skills. However, Gauff’s serve troubles ultimately decided the outcome. Sabalenka managed to make a massive comeback by clinching a 1-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory after trailing 1-6, 4-2. Gauff made 21 double faults, many of which came at crucial moments and therefore turned out to be costly. Reflecting on her opponent’s struggles, Sabalenka said, “I was playing that match thinking, like, ‘Well, girl, I feel you. I feel you like nobody else.’” The victory extended Sabalenka’s winning streak in Wuhan to 16 matches.

Gauff’s serve issues have plagued her throughout the season. She faced early exits in both the Cincinnati Open and the US Open due to her unreliable serve, which has become a recurring problem since spring.

Against Sabalenka in Wuhan, Gauff looked dominant in the first set and midway through the second, but her double faults disrupted her momentum. Despite leading for most of the match, Gauff couldn’t maintain her advantage, allowing Sabalenka to capitalize on the critical moments and secure the hard-fought win.

Sabalenka empathized with Gauff’s struggles as she had dealt with her own serving issues in 2022. Back then, she even resorted to underarm serves before working with biomechanic coach Gavin MacMillan to fix her technique and mental approach. “First it started as a technical issue… Then it became a mental issue,” Sabalenka explained. “You have to deal with both, which is really difficult and tough.” Having overcome similar challenges, Sabalenka expressed confidence in Gauff’s potential. “I know what she’s going through. This is really tough. But if she can overcome this serve situation, she’s already one of the best players, but I’m pretty sure she’s going to be one of the greatest players.”

Sabalenka’s triumph in Wuhan and empathy for Gauff made it clear that she was growing as a player. Do you think the Belarusian can add another Grand Slam title to her tally in Melbourne?