According to Andy Roddick, Coco Gauff will have to wait at least another year to get her hands on her maiden Australian Open title. The former player also doesn’t see defending champion Madison Keys, Naomi Osaka, Ben Shelton, or Alexander Zverev winning the first Major of the year.
Gauff won the 2023 US Open and the 2025 French Open, but her best result in Melbourne remains a semifinal appearance in 2024, when she lost to eventual winner Aryna Sabalenka. The American looked sharp at the recent United Cup, winning three of her four matches, including a straight-set win against Iga Swiatek.
However, Roddick believes Gauff will once again exit the Australian Open at the last-four stage, losing to World No. 1 Sabalenka. Renowned journalist Jon Wertheim joined the 2003 US Open champion on the “Served With Andy Roddick” podcast, as they shared their predictions for the upcoming megaevent.
Andy Roddick’s official AO 2026 bracket predictions
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Roddick said two-time Australian Open winner Naomi Osaka will lose to Amanda Anisimova in the Round of 16. He also tipped Elena Rybakina to defeat former World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals. While Wertheim picked Rybakina to win the tournament, Roddick chose Sabalenka.
Moving onto the ATP Tour, both experts picked two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner to win it all again. Roddick tipped the Italian to defeat Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals, Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, and Carlos Alcaraz in the title clash.
He added that Taylor Fritz will yet again fall to Djokovic in the last eight, while Daniil Medvedev will beat Alexander Zverev at the same stage.
“It’s Not Enough” – Coco Gauff Weighs in on Australian Open 2026 Prize Money
The total prize money at the 2026 Australian Open is AUD $111.5 million, a 16% increase from last year.
However, Coco Gauff believes that when compared to the total revenue generated, the players’ share is still less.
“I know this year, the prize money has increased. But the percentage of distribution relative to the revenue is not yet at the level where we would like it to be. We still have a lot of discussions to have, not just with the Australian Open, but also with the other Grand Slams,” she said (via Tennis Temple).
“There have been advances, and we appreciate them, but it’s not enough. I think there will be more meetings. No one wants to see this debate continue for many years. I imagine there will be more pressure, especially from the top players,” Gauff added.
The World No. 3 will face Uzbekistan’s Kamilla Rakhimova in the first round of the 2026 Australian Open on Sunday, January 18.
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