Doubts over Iga Swiatek's chances at the Australian Open: Andrea Petkovic and Rennae Stubbs debate

Andrea Petkovic shared her predictions about Iga Swiatek's chances at the Australian Open and expressed doubts about the Polish star claiming her first title in Melbourne. The former German tennis player believes Swiatek may take some time to show her best level this season.

The 5-time Grand Slam champion ended 2024 in arguably the most challenging period of her recent career. She was embroiled in a high-profile doping case that, although ruled accidental, led to a one-month suspension, forcing her to miss the Asian Swing.

Petkovic predicts slow start for Swiatek in 2025

Additionally, Swiatek lost the World No. 1 ranking two weeks before the end of the year after failing to meet the minimum tournament requirements for top-10 players. This point deduction pushed her down to No. 2. Since the US Open, she has only played in one tournament—the WTA Finals—where she exited in the Round Robin stage.

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As such, the 2025 season presents an opportunity for Swiatek to move past the media scrutiny she faced late last year. Andrea Petkovic noted on The Rennae Stubbs Podcast that, while she initially thought Swiatek could excel at the Australian Open this year, the challenges of recent months have shifted her perspective.

“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.”

Iga Swiatek at 2024 Australian Open.

“I just think that with her personality and her anxiousness there might be some residue in the first month,” the former World No. 9 added. “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.”

“Once she shakes it off, I think she will start playing really well again,” Petkovic concluded. “I think she will be great in 2025, even better than she was this year.”

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In response, her podcast co-host Rennae Stubbs, a former coach of Serena Williams, commented that the conditions in Australia remain challenging for Swiatek's style of play. “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,” the Australian added. “I don’t mind that. It lends itself to people being more aggressive, coming to the net and hitting big serves.”

“As far as the Australian Open, do I think Iga can win it?” Stubbs said. “Sure. I am never going to say she can’t win it.”