In less than 20 days, tennis season is officially set to return, starting in Melbourne with the Australian Open. Given all the development from last season, including the WTA, women's tennis has a major spotlight.

As five players claimed the sport’s five biggest titles last year, the stage is set for a fresh season with rivalries and unfinished business.

The Iga Świątek vs. Aryna Sabalenka rivalry

There's no doubt that Sabalenka and Świątek are some of the best talents women's tennis has seen in the last decade, with both ranked No. 1 at different points in their careers.

But weirdly, the two have never met in a Grand Slam final, leaving much dissatisfaction among fans.

The only closest matchup was a semifinal meeting in last year's French Open. The 3-setter got the better of Świątek as Sabalenka proceeded to the finals and lost to Coco Gauff.

Their rivalry feels strangely incomplete as they head to Australia, where Świątek starts 25000 points behind the Belarusian.

Świątek's precision play has a perfect 6-0 record in Grand Slam finals, while Sabalenka's reliance on power hitting doesn't always work in her favor (4-3).

Both have 1 major title each. Could 2026 be the year for this rivalry to bloom?

The American Favorite - Coco Gauff

Gauff is the biggest name in women's tennis right now. The 21-year-old is the first American woman to win the French Open since Serena Williams in 2015.

This year, Gauff was the highest-paid woman athlete as per Forbes.

But she also has her struggles. Her serve and forehand have been areas where she hasn't managed to find her rhythm. However, Gauff is working on it with Gavin McMillan, a biometric expert who also helped Sabalenka fix her serve.

Two months after collabing with McMillan, Gauff won Wuhan but couldn't maintain the consistency through the WTA Finals tour.

It is make-or-break time for Gauff and McMillan as she goes into the Australian Open still wobbly about the two most important shots in tennis.

Could the American tennis star make a run for the title with her athleticism and form?

The American Surge

The WTA is filled with the American spirit as 4 women make the top 10. Coco Gauff and Amanda Anisimova bring the young energy, while Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys bring experience.

It has been a year since Madison Keys won the Australian Open in 2025, and Pegula's deep runs in grand slams show that she's not done yet.

As Anisimova chases validation after a breakout year, making it to the Wimbledon finals but losing 6-0, 6-0 last year, could there be an all-American showdown in this year's Australian Open?

Written by

Fatema Kapasi

Edited by

Joyita Das