- Ash Barty quit after winning 2022 title
- Australian Open starts on Sunday
Former world number one Ash Barty has revealed who she thinks will win at the Australian Open this year, and is dropping a hint at two stars who have never before taken the singles title in Melbourne.
The opening Grand Slam of the 2025 season is almost here with the world's best tennis players heading to Melbourne Park for the Australian Open, starting on Sunday.
Italian world number one Jannik Sinner lifted his first major crown at last year's event and is the favorite to do so again this time.
Serbian ace Novak Djokovic will attempt to claim his 25th career Grand Slam and, surprisingly, his 11th title at Melbourne Park.
Barty, who has won three Grand Slam women's singles titles, believes both players will be tough to beat but predicts a first-time winner this year.
“I think it's Daniil Medvedev's moment in Melbourne,” he revealed to The age.
Former world number one Ash Barty has predicted that two surprising names will win at Melbourne Park
Barty says current men's champion Jannik Sinner (pictured) will be tough to beat, but she doesn't think he will go the distance.
'Prepare. “It's going to be a huge couple of weeks.”
Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka is the big favorite in many people's eyes to take the women's crown by defending the title she won in 2023 and 2024.
“One of the main traits he has developed is great consistency,” says Barty.
“Also, the Australian Open naturally suits him. Aryna is now very comfortable playing in the later stages of the Slams and has the right temperament.'
Barty believes American Coco Gauff and China's Zheng Qinwen will also be on the shortlist, but again chose another first-time winner for the iconic event.
'But who is my advice to win? “I have decided on world number 6 and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina,” says Barty.
“I think she is ideally placed to improve in Melbourne after being defeated in an epic three-set final against Sabalenka two years ago.”
Barty announced on Christmas Eve that she was expecting a second child with her husband Garry Kissick.
Barty believes Daniil Medvedev will claim the men's singles crown at the Australian Open after losing the final in heartbreaking fashion last year after winning the first two sets (pictured).
Aryna Sabalenka is the big favorite to win the third consecutive title in Melbourne, but not with Barty.
The great Australian believes world number 6 and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina will win
The couple posted a photo of their son Hayden standing in front of a Christmas tree wearing a T-shirt that read, “I'm going to be a BIG BROTHER.”
The caption of the post read: 'Merry Christmas from our growing family to yours!'
The 28-year-old retired from tennis in March 2022 and says she still feels very comfortable with the decision.
“I think there was probably a normal fear or uncertainty of not knowing what my life would be like after tennis after I had been so focused,” she told the New York Times.
'I was a little unsure how I would deal with that because I'm a person who likes to be organised.
“There was probably a little bit of fear in that, but overall, that hasn't been an issue, a concern or a worry.”
'What has been surprising in a good way is that I have adapted without problems to this life that is like everyone else's. Which is always what I wanted.