Mats Wilander believes that while Iga Swiatek is not the favourite to win the Australian Open, the Polish star is “full of revenge” and could “cause an upset” in Melbourne.

The five-time Grand Slam winner recently lost her place as the world No. 1 to Aryna Sabalenka and later missed the Asia swing because of a positive doping test.

But Wilander believes returning to the top of the rankings will be her main focus in 2025.

“I think Iga is probably full of revenge for many reasons – the biggest being that she lost her No. 1 ranking to Aryna Sabalenka,” Wilander exclusively told Eurosport.

“She has a new coach [Wim Fissette] in her corner. She’s not always going to be the best player in the world, but she’s going to be knocking on the door to the No. 1 ranking for at least another five years.

“She’s too serious. She’s too good. She’s too complete.

“Yes, she has a problem against some of the big hitters on the women’s tour, but so does everybody else too.

“Not much is going to change her mindset or her drive, or her ambition and motivation to be the absolute best version of herself every single day she steps on the court.

“It’s hard to say that she’s not going to win a Grand Slam. I think she’s going to win one, she might even win two.”

Swiatek has a point to prove in Australia after being eliminated in the third round of last year’s competition.

The furthest the 23-year-old has ever reached in the event is a semi-final appearance in 2022 when she lost in straight sets to Danielle Collins.

While Wilander does not believe the courts suit her style, he refused to rule out her chances of triumphing in 2025.

“The Australian Open is not a great surface for Iga Swiatek. It’s very fast, it’s quicker than the US Open and pretty much anywhere,” said Wilander.

“Because it’s so hot, the tennis ball flies through the air, and these are the absolute worst conditions possible for Iga Swiatek.

“I think that she might have a better chance at Wimbledon than she does at the Australian Open in many ways.

“It’s not the perfect conditions for Iga Swiatek, but at the same time, you’ve got to be fit, you’ve got to be ready to go and she’s always ready to go.

“I think the players who win the Australian Open are those who are ready to go any day, any time of day.

“I think she will have a good tournament, but no, she’s not one of the favourites to win it, but she certainly could cause an upset and win the Australian Open.”

One name on everybody’s lips is Coco Gauff, who has defeated Swiatek twice in succession, her latest victory over her rival coming in the United Cup, where the American led her country to silverware.

The 20-year-old ended her wait for a maiden Grand Slam title in 2023 when she won the US Open, and Wilander believes she will prove a tough nut to crack in Melbourne.

Wilander commented: “There’s a lot of talk about Coco Gauff and her serve and her forehand, where is she going to go? Should she play aggressive tennis? Should she be scrappy and get the ball back and play?

“Obviously, there needs to be a combination of the two, but I think that we don’t understand the physical ability of Coco Gauff; she’s a tremendous athlete.

“One of the best female athletes in the world in any sport, and she’s obviously one of the best tennis players in the world, if not maybe the best at this moment.

“She’s going to have a great year. She’s going to win a Slam, I’m convinced, and she might even win two Slams. And she’s going to win 10 Grand Slams before she’s done.

“She’s too driven, too good. She has a couple of weaknesses that can be improved, her serve being one on certain days and her forehand on certain days. But it all depends on her opponents and the conditions.

“At the Australian Open, the courts are very quick and if she ends up playing against someone like Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina, huge hitters on the women’s tour then yeah, Coco Gauff could have some problems.

“But they better play at 100% of their ability. Everyone who doesn’t play at 100% of their ability aren’t going to beat Coco Gauff in any tournament on any day.”

Wilander, however, can not look past Sabalenka, who is attempting to win a third consecutive women’s singles title at Melbourne Park, something last accomplished by Martina Hingis.

“Sabalenka is a slight favourite in my eyes. She really is a hard-court specialist, who has a good chance of winning, even on clay and on grass,” said Wilander.