As the tennis world edges closer to the start of the 2026 season, anticipation is already crackling in the air. The new year officially gets underway on January 2 with the United Cup, but for many, the real focus is fixed a little further down the calendar - Melbourne, the Australian Open, and the unanswered questions it always brings with it. One of those questions now comes with a bold, confident answer. Iga Swiatek is quietly preparing for another chapter on the WTA Tour, and if recent history is anything to go by, she’s doing it with purpose.

The Pole wrapped up 2025 as one of the standout performers of the season. Swiatek ended the season with three titles (including Wimbledon), and she was placed in the second spot of the singles ranking. But now with the 2026 Australian Open rapidly approaching, everyone wonders if Swiatek can finally find some success in Melbourne. She has won six Grand Slam titles so far in her career, but guess what?

Iga Swiatek has won major titles in Paris, London, and even New York, but her best record in Melbourne has been reaching the SFs twice (2022, 2025). Can she change her fortunes this time? Why not, says Roger Federer’s ex-coach. In a recent conversation on Tennis Channel, Paul Annacone said, “Yes. I believe Iga Swiatek will get there next year and win the Australian Open.”

It’s a powerful prediction - one rooted in Swiatek’s evolution as a player rather than mere optimism. Over the past year, she has shown an ability to conquer surfaces that once challenged her, most notably on the lawns of Wimbledon. That breakthrough alone reshaped the narrative around her ceiling.

Now, as Melbourne beckons, Iga Swiatek finds herself carrying not just form and momentum but belief - both her own and that of a coach who once guided Roger Federer through tennis’s highest peaks.

What does Iga Swiatek think about achieving her Career Grand Slam dream in Melbourne next year?

For Iga Swiatek, dreams have a funny way of waiting patiently. They don’t knock loudly. They don’t demand attention every morning. They simply sit there - quiet, powerful, and motivating - until the moment feels right.

As the tennis world turns the page on a dramatic 2025 season, Swiatek finds herself in a familiar yet transformed position. While sharing her thoughts on the season, she stated, “I think finishing as No. 2 is a great achievement.”

Even according to her coach, Wim Fissette, “2025 will be a year for Iga that will go into history. Winning Wimbledon, where nobody was expecting that, and the way she did it.” Her performance in this season was pretty much “unreal,” according to the coach. He is happy to see Iga Swiatek achieving the goal of putting up a better show on faster surfaces this year.

As per former pro Sam Querrey, Iga Swiatek’s 2025 season was better than Aryna Sabalenka’s. But 2025 is a past thing now. How does the Pole look at what’s coming next?

A possible Career Grand Slam on the cards? Well, to this, Iga Swiatek replied, “I don’t set goals like that. Obviously, it’s something that I dream of and something that I want to happen one day, but I’m not going to come to Melbourne and think about it every day. I know that there’s seven matches to win and the Grand Slams are two weeks, a lot can happen. So I’m really going to just take it step by step. Just focusing on the pre-season well is the key, and then I’ll see. But for sure, it would be a dream come true.”

If 2025 taught the tennis world anything, it’s this: Iga Swiatek doesn’t chase moments. She builds toward them. And when the time is right, she tends to make history feel inevitable. Do you think Swiatek can win the AO next month?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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