“I have ZERO DOUBT she will be number one and have the game to stay there” Rick Macci said earlier this year for American sensation Coco Gauff. The 20-year-old WTA Finals winner is currently gearing up for the next season. After her victory in Riyadh last month, and celebrating Thanksgiving with her family, she’s been busy with an intense training schedule. Her hard work ahead of next year’s first Major has now compelled a former Australian WTA pro to make a wild prediction.

For the unversed, Coco has been sharing updates on social media regarding her training. Despite intense sessions, she’s determined to get in shape before the Australian Open. It was made evident with an Instagram story few days ago. She showed the picture of a parked car, standing just inches away from the wall. While comparing this situation with her training struggles, she wrote, “how close I am to quitting in the middle of every workout so far this preseason, but quitting ain’t cute, so we finish.” She’s still at it even if she feels like giving up sometimes. Commending her spirit, Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rennae Stubbs shared her honest thoughts on Guaff. Especially regarding her chances at the Australian Open in January.

In an episode of The Rennae Stubbs Podcast, dated December 16, the former Australian player showered praising words on Coco’s intense training. She seemed highly impressed with the World No.3. So much so, that Stubbs eventually made a big prediction, touting Gauff as a potential AO winner. “I have to say, looking at the training schedule right now of Coco Gauff on Instagram, she is putting in the work and I think after her finishing the way she did, it’s going to be real interesting,” she said. “I do believe that she has absolutely put her hand up to be one of the favorites of the Australian Open,” she added.

Meanwhile, even some of the top analysts also believe that Coco can make a strong comeback in 2025. Especially when it comes to her performance against the top WTA player and arch rival Aryna Sabalenka.

Coco Gauff backed to put up a strong fight in 2025 season against Aryna Sabalenka

In an episode of the AO Show Weekly podcast, hosts Levi Huddleston and former New Zealand player Simon Rea discussed Coco Gauff‘s 2024 season. While talking about her, they highlighted her on-court struggles in front of Aryna Sabalenka. Reflecting on her encounters against the Belarusian, Levi stressed on the amount of double faults Coco made. “I would say that when they met at the US Open, you know Coco Gauff hit 19 double faults. So like, I think, Coco, now that she is making some improvement on that serve, perhaps it will be a different match if we see them play again,” he said.

However, he also mentioned that Coco has vast potential to improve in 2025. And that she might actually give Sabalenka a tough fight. Especially at the first Major of the next season. “So there’s a lot of room for her to improve on that serve. I think she has, so I think it would be really exciting to see what that matchup looks like at the AO,” he added.

Last time when the two met in Australian Open, earlier this year, it was a one-sided battle. Coco faced Aryna in the SF round where the World No.1 defeated the American easily with a scoreline of 7-6, 6-4. But Coco may have an edge over her now. Her victory against Aryna in the SF round of the WTA Finals will give a much-needed momentum to the 20-year-old. She defeated the Belarusian 7-6, 6-3 in straight sets to reach her first-ever title clash of the season finale; she later won the trophy too.

Do you think Coco will emerge as the winner in Australian Open next month? Let us know in the comments below.