Todd Woodbridge acknowledges that Iga Swiatek has been absolutely impressive over the past 12 months, but revealed that it is Belinda Bencic he is tipping to win the Australian Open. In 2022, Swiatek won two Grand Slams, became world number 1, and also went on a 37-match winning streak between February and July.
Going into the 2023 Australian Open, many have Swiatek as the number one favorite for the Australian Open title. Bencic, 25, has been among the top players for several years, but has only one Grand Slam semifinal on her resume.
Woodbridge has a feeling this year’s Australian Open may be the tournament where Bencic finally makes his Grand Slam breakthrough.
Woodbridge: Swiatek is great, but my money is on Bencic
“I know that Iga (Swiatek) is in great shape.
Her domain reminds me of Steffi Graf. But I’ll bet my money on Belinda Bencic this time. Then there is Ons Jabeur who has done wonders for the sport, especially in the Arab world. We have Maria Sakkari who is a very exciting player,» Woodbridge said, according to The Telegraph India.
A couple of days ago, the Australian Open announced Venus Williams as the main draw wild card winner. «We also have Venus Williams here as a wild card. I don’t think she would have accepted the wild card if she wasn’t in a good mental state, if she wasn’t ready,» Woodbridge said of Williams.
Williams, a two-time Australian Open finalist, hopes to return to Melbourne in January. “I am very excited to return to Melbourne to compete at the Australian Open in January. I have been racing in the country for over 20 years and the Australian community has always wholeheartedly supported me.
It will be an honor to play again for the fans and I look forward to making more memories at the tournament this year,» Williams said of competing at the Australian Open.
