Andrea Petkovic has changed her predictions over how Iga Swiatek is going to do at the Australian Open in 2025

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The Australian Open is now just a few short weeks away as players prepare for the first Grand Slam of the season.

Swiatek enjoyed another strong year on the WTA Tour in 2024, finishing the year as world number two just behind her rival Aryna Sabalenka.

The Pole won a tour-high four WTA 1000 tournaments this year, as Swiatek won the Italian Open, having taken home titles in Doha, Indian Wells, and Madrid.

She then added a fifth Grand Slam title to her collection, as Swiatek won the French Open for the fourth time in her career.

A strong Major performance for the 23-year-old who continued to impress on the biggest stages in 2024.

One WTA star, however, has made a tough prediction as to how Swiatek will perform at the first Grand Slam tournament of the new year.

Andrea Petkovic explains why Iga Swiatek could struggle at the 2025 Australian Open

Speaking on the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, former WTA star Andrea Petkovic revealed what she had originally thought Swiatek could achieve at next month’s Australian Open.

“I thought this was going to be the year, 2025, where Iga [Swiatek] does really well at the Australian Open,” she said.

“I know how her brain functions and I know she wants to get better at the things she is not as good at yet, and I know she has worked specifically in the off season on that.”

Petkovic went on to explain why she now thinks Swiatek could struggle in Melbourne.

“I just think that with her personality and her anxiousness there might be some residue in the first month,” she said.

“I just don’t know if she can bring it in the first month on a surface which traditionally doesn’t suit her well with all the residue of what happened at the end of the season.”

Swiatek was suspended from tennis for a month thanks to a positive drugs test that has seen her receive plenty of criticism from players and fans of the sport.

Petkovic does, however, think the Pole can put this behind her and enjoy a strong year in 2025.

“Once she shakes it off I think she will start playing really well again,” said the German.

“I think she will be great in 2025, even better than she was this year.”

Petkovic’s co-host Rennae Stubbs gave her thoughts on why Swiatek may struggle at the year’s first Grand Slam tournament.

“I think it’s more of the court in Australia doesn’t really suit her until they slow it down, which I am hearing they are not this year,” she said.

“I think it’s still going to be quite fast, which is fine with me.

“I don’t mind that. It lends itself to people being more aggressive, coming to the net and hitting big serves.”

Despite the quicker courts, Stubbs still believes that the five-time Grand Slam champion can pick up a maiden title down under.

“As far as the Australian Open, do I think Iga can win it?” she said.

“Sure.

“I am never going to say she can’t win it.”

Is the Australian Open Iga Swiatek’s weakest Grand Slam tournament?

Stubbs and Petkovic may be unsure over Swiatek’s chances at next month’s Australian Open, but how well has she performed in Melbourne over the years?

Swiatek has failed to reach the quarter-final stage for two years now, as she continues to struggle at the opening Grand Slam of the season.

Statistically, the Australian Open is Swiatek’s third best Slam, as she has enjoyed far more success in Paris and New York.

Her four French Open titles are remarkable, and a 95% win rate at Roland Garros is only marginally lower than the legendary Rafael Nadal who has won 97% of his matches at the tournament.

The 23-year-old’s best run in Australia came back in 2022, when she qualified for the semi-finals before losing in straight sets to America’s Danielle Collins.

A tough defeat for Swiatek, who often struggles with the pace of the courts at Melbourne, as mentioned by Stubbs.

She’ll be hoping to get back on track in the new year, having disappointed with two early exits in 2023, and 2024.

The 2025 Australian Open featuring Swiatek is set to begin on January 12.