Ash Barty reveals her VERY surprising predictions for who’ll win the men’s and women’s crowns at the Australian Open

Former world No.1 Ash Barty has revealed who she thinks will win at the Australian Open this year – and she’s tipping two stars who’ve never taken out the singles title in Melbourne before.

The opening Grand Slam of the 2025 season is almost here with the best tennis players in the world heading to Melbourne Park for the Australian Open, starting Sunday.

Italian World No.1 Jannik Sinner lifted his first Major crown at last year’s event and is the favourite to do so again this time around. 

Serbian ace Novak Djokovic will be aiming to claim his 25th career Grand Slam – and astonishingly, his 11th title at Melbourne Park.

Barty, who won three women’s singles Grand Slam titles, believes both players will be hard to beat – but is predicting a first-time winner this year.

‘I think it’s Daniil Medvedev’s time in Melbourne,’ she revealed to The Age. 

Barty says reigning men’s champion Jannik Sinner (pictured) will be difficult to beat – but doesn’t think he will go all the way

‘Get ready. It’s going to be a massive couple of weeks.’

Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka is the hot favourite in many people’s eyes to take out the women’s crown by defending the title she won in 2023 and 2024.

‘One of the top traits she has developed is great consistency,’ says Barty.

‘Plus, the Australian Open naturally suits her. Aryna is now very comfortable playing in the latter stages of slams, fitted with the right temperament.’

Barty believes American Coco Gauff and China’s Zheng Qinwen will also be in the mix, but has again picked another first-time winner for the iconic event.

‘But who’s my tip to win? I’ve settled on the world No.6 and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina,’ says Barty.

‘I think she’s ideally placed to go one better in Melbourne after being beaten in an epic three-set final against Sabalenka two years ago.’

Barty announced on Christmas Eve that she is expecting a second child with her husband Garry Kissick.

Barty believes Daniil Medvedev will claim the men’s singles crown at the Australian Open after losing the final in heartbreaking fashion last year after winning the first two sets (pictured)

Aryna Sabalenka is the hot favourite to make it three in a row in Melbourne – but not with Barty

The Aussie great thinks world No.6 and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina will win

The pair posted a picture of their son Hayden standing in front of a Christmas tree wearing a T-shirt that read: ‘I am going to be a BIG BROTHER’.

The caption on the post read: ‘Merry Christmas from our growing family to yours!’

The 28-year-old retired from tennis in March 2022 and says she’s still very comfortable with the decision.

‘I think there was probably a normal fear or uncertainty in not knowing what my life would look like after tennis after being so focused,’ she told the New York Times.

‘I was a bit unsure how I would deal with that because I am a person who likes to be organised.

‘There was probably a little bit of fear in that, but overall, that hasn’t been an issue, a concern or a worry.

‘What’s been surprising in a good way is that I’ve slipped quite seamlessly into this life that’s just like everyone else. Which is kind of always what I wanted.’