Roger Federer's former coach Paul Annacone believes 2026 is the year when we will finally see an Iga Swiatek breakthrough at the Australian Open.
After winning four French Open titles, the 2022 US Open title, and becoming a Wimbledon champion in 2025, the Pole is now only an Australian Open title away from completing a Career Grand Slam.
In her past seven appearances at Melbourne Park, Swiatek twice reached the semifinal. The Pole didn't stand much of a chance if her first semifinal outing, losing 4-6 1-6 to Danielle Collins in 2022. In her second Happy Slam semis, the world No. 2 performed much better, but still fell just short of reaching the final after blowing a match point in a three-set loss to eventual champion Madison Keys.
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It is not a secret that Wimbledon was widely considered the Slam where it would be the toughest for the former world No. 1 to ever win. But she did it, and now Annacone is tipping the 24-year-old to do the same in Melbourne.
Annacone: I believe Swiatek will win the Australian Open
Yes. I believe Iga Swiatek will get there next year and win the Australian Open. When it comes to the guys, nothing would shock me, but its tough to see both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner making it happen in 2026. Maybe one or the other," Annacone told tennis.com.
The six-time Grand Slam champion's resume is rich with very notable accomplishments and records. Recently, the Pole confirmed that she would absolutely love to pull off a Career Grand Slam, but also insisted that she would not allow herself to focus too much on that when the time comes for the Australian Open.
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I dont set goals like that. Obviously its something that I dream of and something that I want to happen one day but Im not going to come to Melbourne and think about it every day. I know that theres seven matches to win and the Grand Slams are two weeks, a lot can happen," Swiatek told CLAY.
