2023 Women's Draw Predictions

<p>There has been a serious changing of the guard in women’s tennis over the last few years. A host of exciting young players have emerged to shake things up and it looks all but certain that the Australian Open will have a brand-new champion this year.</p> <p>To help punters navigate this new crop of exciting tennis talent we’ve run the rule over the Women’s draw at the 2023 Australian Open, so for those wanting to know the difference between the contenders and the pretenders, read our Women’s draw predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Who Won The Australian Open Women’s Draw Last Year?</h3> <p><em>Ash Barty</em></p> <p>Last year Ash Barty became the first Australian to win an Australian Open singles title since Christine O’Neil in 1978. Barty ended Australia’s 44-year wait for a local champion in style, defeating Danielle Collins in straight sets and without losing a set during the entire tournament. Unfortunately, there will be a new champion in 2023 as Barty shocked the tennis world by announcing her retirement only a few months after capturing her first Aus Open crown.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Who Has Won The Most Australian Open Women’s Titles?</h3> <p><em>Serena Williams</em></p> <p>In the Open era, Serena Williams has won the most Australian Open Women’s titles, with seven triumphs to her name. It is unlikely that she will ever add to this tally as she has seemingly announced her retirement from tennis.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Australian Open Women’s Prize</h3> <p>As one of the four tennis Grand Slams, the Australian Open is incredibly lucrative for its participants. The total prize pool of this year’s Australian Open totals more than $76 million. The eventual winner of the women’s draw will pocket just shy of $3 million, while the runner up nets around $1.6 million. Also ran’s fear not, just for qualifying for the first-round players take home a cool $106,250, not too shabby.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Australian Open Women’s Eventual Winner Predictions</h3> <p><em>Iga Swiatek</em></p> <p>As the current world number one, it’s no surprise that 21-year-old phenom Iga Swiatek is the favourite to win the Australian Open women’s title. Swiatek already has three Grand Slams to her name and after bowing out in the semifinals to eventual champion Ash Barty last year, she will be hoping to add a fourth to her collection. With no Barty around to stop her this time, the Pole is in, well, pole position to claim her maiden Australia Open title in 2023.</p> <p><em>Aryna Sabalenka</em></p> <p>A lot of money has been coming in for Aryna Sabalenka after she took out the Adelaide International. Sabalenka will enter the Aus Open full of confidence, although it is important to remember that she is yet to make a Grand Slam final, constantly stumbling at the semi final stages of past tournaments. That could all change in Melbourne with a confident and more experienced Sabalenka ready to make her mark.</p> <p><em>Caroline Garcia</em></p> <p>Aggressive baseliner Caroline Garcia has rocketed back into the upper echelon of women’s tennis after a period in the wilderness. A huge upswing in form has seen the 29-year-old climb to No.4 in the world as well as putting her in the frame for this year’s Australian Open title. Many believe Garcia poses the biggest threat to Iga Swiatek’s chances due to her recent record against the world number one.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Under The Radar Options</h3> <p><em>Coco Gauff</em></p> <p>Big hitting American Coco Gauff finds herself inside the top 10 best female players on the planet at only 18 years of age. Comparisons to her idol Serena Williams are only a good thing and after making a Grand Slam final at last year’s French Open you can bet she’ll be doing everything in her power to make another at Melbourne Park.</p> <p><em>Victoria Azarenka</em></p> <p>Former world No.1 Victoria Azarenka offers a left field option for all the brave punters out there. While the 33-year-olds best days are firmly in the rearview mirror, both of her Grand Slam triumphs have come in Australia. The last of these was in 2013, a decade on can she cause the mother of all shocks and lift the trophy again?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>