Coco Gauff’s chances of winning the Australian Open took a hit when the draw was released…
The American number one has never reached the final of the Australian Open.
Looking to do so for the first time in 2026, Gauff will have to take down some of the very best players in women’s tennis.
How far do you think Coco Gauff will go with this draw?
Gauff’s draw is tough, with potential matches against the legendary Venus Williams and former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova awaiting her in the first week alone.
Reacting to the draw, Greg Rusedski shared his thoughts on Gauff’s chances.
Greg Rusedski says Coco Gauff is in the ‘hardest section’ of the Australian Open draw
During the latest episode of ‘Off Court with Greg‘, Rusedski analysed the Australian Open draw.
“I look at Coco Gauff’s section, and I think she has the hardest section of anybody out there,” he said.
Who has the most difficult Australian Open draw?
“Who she has to play to make it to the semis, if she is going to get a rematch with [Aryna] Sabalenka.
“If you look at her section, the players that she has from the start are going to be very, very difficult.
“She has got Venus [Williams] in her section, she has got lots of different players she can struggle against like [Elina] Svitolina, [Mirra] Andreeva, all those players in that section.
Coco Gauff’s Australian Open draw in full
| Round | Highest-ranked potential opponent | Potential seeded opponents |
| 1R | Kamilla Rakhimova (91) | – |
| 2R | Olga Danilovic (68) | – |
| 3R | Marketa Vondrousova (34) | Marketa Vondrousova [32] |
| 4R | Emma Navarro (15) | Emma Navarro [15], Karolina Muchova [19] |
| QF | Mirra Andreeva (8) | Mirra Andreeva [8], Elina Svitolina [12], Diana Shnaider [23], Dayana Yastremska [26] |
| SF | Aryna Sabalenka (1) | Aryna Sabalenka [1], Jasmine Paolini [7], Ekaterina Alexandrova [11], Clara Tauson [14], Victoria Mboko [17], Marta Kostyuk [20], Emma Raducanu [28], Iva Jovic [29] |
| F | Iga Swiatek (2) | Iga Swiatek [2], Amanda Anisimova [4], Elena Rybakina [5], Jessica Pegula [6], Madison Keys [9], Belinda Bencic [10], Linda Noskova [13], Naomi Osaka [16], Liudmila Samsonova [18], Elise Mertens [21], Leylah Fernandez [22], Jelena Ostapenko [24], Paula Badosa [25], Sofia Kenin [27], Maya Joint [30], Anna Kalinskaya [31] |
“She’s going to have to come out right from the start and play well.”
Rusedski then commented on Gauff’s performances so far this season in the build-up to the Australian Open.
“We’ve seen her start slowly at the United Cup, the opening match, didn’t play great, we’re thinking, is she going to get the form?” he said.
Coco Gauff at the 2026 United Cup
- [WIN] vs Solana Sierra
- [LOSS] vs Jessica Bouzas Maneiro
- [WIN] vs Maria Sakkari
- [WIN] vs Iga Swiatek
“But by the end of the tournament she was playing very, very well.
“It will be interesting to see [her at the Australian Open], especially after her performance at the US Open last year, so she’s got a lot to prove.
“Did the off-season improve her or not? Is the serve going to hold up or not?”
Gauff certainly has a lot to prove in Melbourne, having disappointed at the Grand Slam level since winning the French Open a year ago.
Coco Gauff’s Grand Slam disappointments
When Gauff won the French Open last year, doubling her Grand Slam tally, many expected her to win another soon after.
Things didn’t turn out that way, however, as Gauff lost early at Wimbledon and failed to reach the US Open quarterfinals for the second year running.
Coco Gauff’s Grand Slam results since the 2025 French Open
- 2025 Wimbledon 1R [LOSS] vs Dayana Yastremska
- 2025 US Open 1R [WIN] vs Ajla Tomljanovic
- 2025 US Open 2R [WIN] vs Donna Vekic
- 2025 US Open 3R [WIN] vs Magdalena Frech
- 2025 US Open 4R [LOSS] vs Naomi Osaka
Gauff is 3-2 at the Grand Slam level in her last five matches, a poor record for someone of her quality.
Only time will tell if she can return to winning ways at this year’s Australian Open.
The first round of matches are scheduled to begin on Sunday, January 18.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
