Grand Slam predictions for 2025 after the US Open 2024 ft. Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz
The conclusion of the US Open 2024 over the weekend also meant that all Majors for the year are done and dusted. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz swept all four Grand Slam titles between them this season. The former claimed his maiden Major title at the Australian Open and capped off the season with a triumph in New York.
Alcaraz, meanwhile, completed the "Channel Slam" by winning the French Open and Wimbledon one after the other. On the women's side, Aryna Sabalenka defended her crown Down Under and reigned supreme at the US Open as well.
Iga Swiatek continued her dominance to nab her third consecutive title at the French Open. Barbora Krejcikova had a resurgence at Wimbledon to claim her second Major title in singles. Most of these players are a lock to win at least one Major title next year as well.
On that note, here's a look at the predictions for next year's Grand Slam champions in singles:
Australian Open - Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka's record makes her a heavy favorite for the three-peat Down Under. She will arrive in Melbourne as the two-time defending champion. She has a 27-1 record at the hardcourt Majors since the start of 2023, with her only loss coming to Coco Gauff in last year's US Open final.
Sabalenka has also won 24 of those 27 matches in straight sets. She has also amassed a 22-1 record in Australia since last year, with her only loss in the country coming to Elena Rybakina in the final of this year's Brisbane International. As such, the Belarusian will be the frontrunner to win the season's first Slam yet again.
Sinner has compiled a 55-5 record in 2024 so far, and has an impressive 35-2 record on hardcourts, and has won five titles on the surface. Unless there's a dip in his level in the next few months, it's tough to see anyone stopping him from defending his title in Melbourne.
Novak Djokovic, the 10-time Australian Open champion, could be a threat, though Sinner ousted him in the semifinals there this year. The Italian's results on hardcourts place him in a league above the rest of the tour for now.
French Open - Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek
Swiatek has established herself as the best claycourt player of her generation. She has an impressive 35-2 record at the venue and has won four titles in Paris so far. While players do suffer a letdown after such a prolonged winning streak, that's unlikely to happen next year.
Swiatek already lost a match on Court Philippe Chatrier as the Paris Olympics were held on the same grounds as the French Open. She was beaten by Zheng Qinwen in the semifinals. She has always bounced back with a title the very next year after a loss at the claycourt Major and will be the firm favorite to bag her fifth title in Paris.
Alcaraz's road to the French Open title this year was quite difficult, and he needed five sets to beat Sinner and Alexander Zverev in the semifinal and final respectively. However, the Spaniard is generally a reliable player on clay. He also defended his Wimbledon title this year, so he knows what it takes to win back-to-back titles at the Majors.
Sinner, his biggest rival for the title, has only one title on clay to his name, that too at the ATP 250 level. He also hasn't reached another final on the surface in over two years. Djokovic could give Alcaraz a run for his money, though the young Spaniard will be favored to outlast him in a best-of-five sets duel on clay.
Wimbledon - Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka
Wimbledon seems Djokovic's best bet to snag his 25th Major crown. His efforts to secure one didn't bear fruit this year. Given the competition isn't as cutthroat on grass, he could emerge as the last man standing in 2025. The Serb has won seven titles at the All England Club so far.
Alcaraz and Sinner prove to be his downfall yet again. However, Djokovic seems to be destined to break all records. He finally captured the elusive gold medal at the Olympics this year. A 25th Major title has proved to be beyond his reach for now but he could claim it next year.
Sabalenka is a two-time semifinalist at Wimbledon, and the time seems to be ripe for her first triumph at the venue. She couldn't compete this year due to a shoulder injury and will be hungry to make up for the lost opportunity the next time.
Rybakina and Ons Jabeur have been among the other consistent performers at SW19 over the last couple of years. However, the Kazakh's myriad health issues, and the Tunisian's dwindling form, make Sabalenka the favorite to win.
US Open - Frances Tiafoe, Emma Navarro
The US Open has been the only Major without a successful title defense over the past decade, and even longer than that on the men's side. Roger Federer was the last man to defend his title here in 2008, and Serena Williams did the same back in 2014.
If the trend continues at next year's US Open, then Sinner and Sabalenka are out of the running. Swiatek won the title here in 2022 but hasn't progressed beyond the quarterfinals of a Major outside of the French Open since then. Gauff has regressed in terms of gameplay this year, and barring any significant improvements, it's tough to see her winning again as well.
Karolina Muchova has made the US Open semifinals for two years in a row. She could follow in Sabalenka's footsteps and get closer to the trophy in 2025. Jessica Pegula reached her first Major final in New York this year, and while she came up short, she could go all the way next time. Emma Navarro is another player to look out for given her rapid rise this year.
Daniil Medvedev has been a consistent force at the US Open as well but has a host of challengers to contend with now. He's a former champion here, along with Alcaraz and Djokovic. Taylor Fritz was the runner-up this year and could attain his breakthrough in 2025.
Except for the 2023 edition, which was won by Djokovic, the rest of this decade has witnessed first-time US Open champions on the men's side. With so many top contenders to choose from, it's tough to narrow it down to one pick.
American players came quite close to winning the US Open this year and could emerge victorious in 2025 if they maintain this level of progress. Navarro seems to be the best bet on the women's side, while either Fritz or Tiafoe could come out on top on the men's side.