Iga Swiatek has recaptured a level of form on tour that has, according to some, established her as a favourite for Australian Open 2024.
The 22-year-old claimed her 16th career title in Beijing last week, dropping just one set for the entire tournament. In trademark dominant fashion, Swiatek claimed the final 6-2 6-2 over world No.16 Liudmila Samsonova, after a 6-2 6-3 semifinal win over US Open champion Coco Gauff.
This improved her record to 8-1 against the most recent Grand Slam champion and will be a great boost of confidence for the next major in January.
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Speaking on The AO Show podcast, former Australian player Casey Dellacqua said Swiatek’s performance – her fifth WTA title of the season – had reasserted her as a leading force in the sport.
“Obviously, Swiatek for me is still dominating the women’s game even though Coco (Gauff) got up at the US Open and won her first major,” Dellacqua said.
“We all saw what Gauff was able to achieve at the US Open, but I think in terms of domination and who is still on top of the women’s game, you can’t go passed Swiatek.
“At this time of the year she is still putting in some great performances and she’s still got it over Coco Gauff in terms of head-to-head.”
Alongside Swiatek and Gauff, reigning Australian Open champion and world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka can’t be discounted as a big chance to claim back-to-back titles Down Under.
World No.2 Swiatek’s victory in Beijing narrowed the gap between her and Sabalenka in the WTA rankings to 590 points.
Swiatek’s competition does not stop there; the whole women’s singles field at Australian Open 2024 includes immense depth, along with the return of three former champions.
Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley highlighted the excitement around the women’s draw as the 2024 event was launched this week.
“We are going to have the greats of the game try to battle away with the younger players who want to maintain their current position,” Tiley said.
“Swiatek is also at the Australian Open and she’d love to go further than she’s been before.
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“But you can’t count out Sabalenka, she’s the No.1 player in the world, and she used the platform of her success from the Australian Open 2023 to have a great year.”
Joining Sabalenka as former champions in Melbourne will be ‘comeback queens’ Angelique Kerber, Caroline Wozniacki and Naomi Osaka, all set to make highly-anticipated returns to the Australian Open.
“We are going to welcome back players that we know that this is their favourite place to play,” Tiley said.
“Not only that, but they have had great success here.”