Steve Johnson names the American woman he thinks will outperform Coco Gauff at the Australian Open this year

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Predictions are flying in for this year’s Australian Open, with the year’s first Grand Slam tournament right around the corner.

The stars of the WTA Tour are ramping up their preparations for the first Major of the season.

Aryna Sabalenka won the 2024 Australian Open, taking down Qinwen Zheng in the final, as she defended the title that she won one year earlier.

Coco Gauff had lost to Sabalenka in the last four, as she enjoyed her career-best performance in Melbourne.

There were plenty of shocks in 2024, as Iga Swiatek lost to Linda Noskova in the third round, her worst result in five years at the event.

Ahead of the 2025 tournament, three former American ATP stars have given their predictions as to how the best of the USA will perform at the Australian Open.

Steve Johnson thinks Jessica Pegula will outperform Coco Gauff at the 2025 Australian Open

Speaking on the Nothing Major podcast, former ATP star Steve Johnson was asked to pick the American WTA star he thinks will perform the best at this year’s Australian Open.

“On the women’s side I am going to go Jessie Pegula, she just made the finals at the US Open and she has been there and has some experience under her belt,” he said.

“Hopefully she can get to another final and get it done.”

Johnson’s co-host Sam Querrey disagreed as he backed the 2023 US Open champion to get the job done.

“I don’t care what the women’s rankings are right now, Coco Gauff is the best player in the world at this moment,” he said.

“I think she is going to win the Australian Open, therefore being the last American female alive.”

Johnson and Querrey also gave their thoughts on who the best American ATP star will be at the event.

“On the men’s side I think I am going to go with Tommy Paul,” said Johnson.

“I think he got down there a little later, he’s had a good run down there to the semis before and knows what it feels like.

“I know Taylor has had an incredible week leading up to the event, so he probably has an equal or better chance but I think Tommy will get it done on the men’s side.”

Again Querrey had a different opinion, as he backed 2024 US Open finalist Taylor Fritz to perform.

“I am going with Fritz, he has a good draw and he’s playing well off the United Cup win,” he said.

Former Miami Open champion John Isner was in agreement with Querrey, backing the two highest ranked American players.

“I am going to piggy back off you Sam [Querrey],” he said.

“Coco [Gauff] and Taylor [Fritz].

“They both played and won the United Cup.”

Fritz and Gauff helped Team USA win the United Cup, as they picked up their second title in three years at the mixed team event.

How have the top American players performed at previous Australian Open tournaments?

Johnson, Querrey, and Isner may be backing the likes of Fritz, Gauff, Paul, and Pegula to perform at this year’s event, but how have they faired in previous years?

Only one seeded American player has reached an Australian Open final in the past, something that they will all no doubt be hoping to improve upon this time around.

Danielle Collins reached the final of the Australian Open back in 2022, as she lost to home favorite Ash Barty in straight sets.

It remains to be seen how the American stars get on at this year’s tournament, but they’ll no doubt hope to kick things off with a big win when the competition gets underway on January 12.