AO Hacks returns in the countdown in Australian Open 2025, providing fans with player insights to maximise their day at the tennis.
There is no greater sight in tennis than seeing a forehand or backhand rocket past an opponent.
It generates an unmatched crowd buzz, intensifying the atmosphere on any court.
After crunching the numbers to determine who produced the most powerful groundstrokes during Australian Open 2024, we think these players should be on your watchlist at AO 2025.
Nicolas Jarry
Jarry is power personified.
While Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild lashed the fastest forehand at AO 2024 at 181.8 km/h, Jarry’s forehand averaged the quickest speed among all players in the men’s singles draw, at 135 km/h.
The Chilean also boasted the fastest average backhand speed throughout the tournament at 128.5 km/h, making him doubly threatening from the back of the court.
Strength in his stroke play carried the 29-year-old to his highest career ranking in 2024. A maiden finals appearance at the Rome Masters in May propelled Jarry to world No.16.
Now ranked 36th, expect Jarry to cause a few headaches at Australian Open 2025.
Xiyu Wang
In the women’s field, Chinese youngster Xiyu Wang was the most powerful player at the last Australian Open.
Wang recorded the heaviest forehand – a combination of her speed and spin, earning her a rating of 7.8 out of 10 – among women at Melbourne Park in 2024.
It helped the former world No.49 reach three WTA quarterfinals this season, including the final in Austin. She also had an impressive Olympics campaign where she defeated top-30 players Diana Shnaider and Linda Noskova.
Wang also recorded the fastest forehand of any player at Australian Open 2024, clocking 162.3 km/h in her first-round match against Emma Navarro.
Felix Auger-Aliassime
Auger-Aliassime put his heavy forehand to good use at the last AO, reaching the third round in Australia for a fourth consecutive year on the back of this shot.
In his second-round win over Hugo Grenier, he dominated with 19 forehand groundstroke winners to one.
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The Canadian recorded the heaviest forehand of any man at AO 2024, his combined speed and spin contributing to a rating of 7.7 out of 10.
The former world No.6 reached the final of the Madrid Masters in May – his best result at a Masters 1000 event in his career. His scintillating run was helped by the fact he led the winner count in all six of his matches.
Expect Auger-Aliassime to play deep in the tournament if he can generate similar heaviness and firepower off his racquet.
Peyton Stearns
Stearns is young rising star to keep an eye on this Australian Open.
Now entrenched in the top 50, Stearns showed glimpses of her capabilities in Melbourne earlier this year, forcing a deciding set against 14th seed Daria Kasatkina in her tournament debut.
It was a result helped by her destructive forehand; the American hit 20 forehand winners compared to Kasatkina’s six in their first-round match, with Stearns generating an average speed of 129.3 km/h.
This was the quickest average speed among women at AO 2024.
Stearns, 23, is approaching her third full season on tour, and Australian Open 2025 might be your chance to see her become a more recognised name.
Alycia Parks
Parks, another American, had her best Grand Slam run to date at this year’s Australian Open.
She reached the third round in her debut appearance, defeating Grand Slam finalist Leylah Fernandez en route.
During that emphatic run, Parks crunched the quickest backhand of any woman at AU 2024, at 149.7 km/h.
Parks, currently the world No.111, won WTA 125 titles in Gaiba and Warsaw this year, equalling her tally of two titles won in 2022.
Should she lift her ranking in the coming weeks to ensure a return to the main draw at AO 2025, could Parks, helped by her powerful backhand, reach the second week at a major for the first time?
Holger Rune
One of tennis’ stars of tomorrow, Rune has achieved plenty in his short career.
He defeated Novak Djokovic as a 19-year-old to win the Paris Masters, as well as reaching the semifinals in three of his last four tournaments for 2024.
His highlights package showcases the damage he does on court but with a piercing backhand, it’s no wonder Rune established such a lofty position in the game.
The second-youngest player in the top 15, Rune hit the quickest backhand during AO 2024 at 162 km/h.
Olivia Gadecki
Gadecki had a breakout season in 2024 and is set to continue her form in 2025.
The world No.90 became Australia’s top female player in September following her maiden WTA final in Guadalajara.
Gadecki has found much success with her assertive backhands and using it as a point of difference at AO 2024, averaging 124 km/h on this wing – the quickest by a female player.
Following her standout finish to season 2024, expect the 22-year-old to be one to watch this January.
She will be aiming to improve on her second-round finish at Australian Open 2023.