The Australian Open women’s final is set, and fans have every reason to look forward to this one.
Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina are back on the same stage where they met in the 2023 final, ready for another chapter in their growing rivalry.
Plenty of people have weighed in with their thoughts on what could decide this one, with Kim Clijsters adding her voice to the discussion.
Speaking during a segment on Eurosport’s Australian Open coverage, Clijsters touched on why she sees more from Rybakina this time around compared to last year’s final.
“Rybakina is showing a little more variation here than last year when she reached that Australian Open final. So that’s going to be the difference,” said the four-time Grand Slam champion.
Kim Clijsters makes prediction ahead of Australian Open final
Speaking on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast, there was a sense of excitement around what promises to be a blockbuster final.
Clijsters, breaking down what she thinks could make the difference, explained:
“Of course, the first serve percentages have to be high. They have to be consistent with the return. But if they are both at their best, it will be whoever is capable of dictating the point early on, to the second or third shot of the rally, is going to win this match.
“We are probably going to see a bit more unforced errors because the quality of the shots is going to be high on both sides of the court. It is going to be aggressive, low over the net, a little bit flat.
“So there are a few reasons why it’s going to be high-risk tennis, but whoever is able to really dictate the points early on is going to win.”
The Belgian continued: “She is a better mover I feel than Rybakina. She has the variety. I think Max Miryni has done a really good job letting her use slice a bit more, coming in and using volleys.
“I think it’s a lot harder against a player who hits hard and deep like Rybakina when you try and get into your own rhythm and use that slice-breaker rhythm like Sabalenka likes doing from time-to-time.
“But definitely since preseason and Riyadh as well where she tried adding variety into her game – that’s what we always say about players looking for new tools into their game.
“If she has that chance I definitely think she’s gonna try using some new tools and being more confident using them in that final.”
Sabalenka vs Rybakina: Predictions from Jim Courier and Lindsay Davenport
Jim Courier and Lindsay Davenport have also weighed in on the final, which has all the makings of a great contest.
Davenport, speaking on Tennis Channel, gave her thoughts: “The two best players right now in women’s tennis are going to compete for the first Grand Slam title of 2026.
“It’s going to be big hitting, it’s going to be big serving. Not a lot between these two.
“It’ll be so interesting. You’ve got to look at first serve percentage when all is said and done from the two and returns of play. It’s first-strike tennis; these two do it better than anybody out on tour, but really tough to play that style against someone who plays similarly.
“Rybakina had a lot of time to return the Pegula serve. She’s not going to be afforded that time against Sabalenka, so both players are going to have to make some pretty quick adjustments early in the rallies.”
This led Courier to state where he feels like the match will be won and lost: “Most of these matches, when you watch players that are big hitters playing, you’ll notice their opponents on the serve; they might be leaning to cover one side or the other. When these players play, their opponents have to lean to cover a corner of the court off ground strokes. That’s how big they hit the ball, and you just can’t get there if you’re not if you don’t have a good hunch.
“So I think that it’s going really important for the coaches do their due diligence and look for patterns of play that these players like yo have and be in front of those patterns because you’re going needto need weaponry your position use good lot each coming at we’re bad asking win.”
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