Professional Tennis Player Alexandra Stevenson Reveals Her Aussie Open Favorites
On the Serving Aces podcast, Alexandra Stevenson gave some insight into the Australian Open and Naomi Osaka's return to the tennis circuit.
1. Who do you think will win the women’s title at the 2024 Australian Open?
The women’s field has Swiatek, Gauff, and Rybakina all playing well. Then there is the steady Pegula - and the cranky, crafty Jabeur - who is still upset over losing the Wimbledon title in 2023 because she wanted to win - and have a baby.
The court surface condition is medium fast. The ball is an AO ball. It doesn’t get too fluffy. Stays solid with a good pop. It moves through the court well.
The pundits were calling it “Iga’s bakery” at the United Cup - country against country. Swiatek was winning with a lot of zeros. She got MVP of the United Cup - the overall tournament award. Undefeated in her singles matches. Germany won - but Iga shined a bright light. Zverev congratulated Iga. He said, “It’s like having a cheat code on a video game to have Iga on your team.“
Swiatek has positioning. She has her forehand. Her movement. A big plus is her defense of serve. She’s holding serve with high percentages - 68-70.
Defending the serve is the Swiatek cup of tea - and not dropping her serve - something that is so prevalent in the women’s game. Getting a lot of first serves. Ostapenko is the only one who attacks Iga’s first serve.
Exciting ones to watch: Elina Svitolina. New girl on the Tour - 22-year-old Emma Navarro, the billionaire’s daughter. Her father, Ben Navarro bought Cincinnati. She’s seeded 27. She spent two years at the University of Virginia and won an NCAA title as a freshman. She lost to Coco Gauff in the semis of Auckland. She has a tough first round against Wang. There is always Sloane Stephens. She likes the surface. Katie Boulter. She dates DeMinaur. She beat Pegula in the United Cup. Getting good male pro tips. And then there is Naomi Osaka. Coming back after her baby. She still has big pop on the ball - and something to prove.
My pick to win the 2024 Women’s Australian Open title are the potential big three Rybakina, Sabalenka, Swiatek. Which one? Swiatek. Movement wins. The outside winner might be Gauff - if she can handle the serve and pays attention to her corner man, Brad Gilbert.
2. Who do you think will win the men’s title at the 2024 Australian Open?
There is an issue right off the top in the men’s game - and other than Nadal withdrawing - it is the Djokovic right wrist. It’s hurt. He has a good team to get him right. Alcaraz and Sinner will always bring a big bang for their play.
Djokovic has won ten Australian Opens. He has the best defense to offense - and defends his serve flat out - all the time. He’s a clean ball striker. He has the knowledge of a veteran - and that’s why he’s beating the generation of kids under him.
The conditions are good because it is the beginning of the year. Conditions are good with the roof. Dryer. There’s humidity - but not like the US Open. The ball goes through the air better. The court plays faster. Margins look better for players.
Medvedev is the ultimate hard-court tennis player with amazing defense. He knows strategy. He’s a real winner in the top four. Expect him to play back in the Melbourne-painted area of the court.
Exciting Ones to watch: Zverev has been playing well. He was miffed at the US Open that he’s been forgotten. Tiafoe is ranked 17. He has a lot to prove. Last year didn’t go well. Too many expectations. Young Ben Shelton got to the Aussie quarters in 2023. He’s ranked 16 this year. Dmitrov won Brisbane. Good striker of the ball. He will like the Melbourne conditions. Always comes down to his serve.
My pick for the 2024 Men’s Australian Open is Carlos Alcaraz. Let’s watch him win his first Australian Open. He will like the ball - and the court conditions. The crowd will make him a favorite.
