Rennae Stubbs has identified Aryna Sabalenka as the most likely candidate among Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek to win a Grand Slam title in 2027. The former Australian player acknowledged that while Sabalenka stands out, both Gauff and Swiatek also have reasons to feel optimistic heading into the new season.
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The trio approaches the 2027 season from varied experiences. In 2026, Sabalenka reached two Grand Slam finals but was defeated by Elena Rybakina both times. Gauff made it to the semi-finals at both Wimbledon and the US Open, while Swiatek struggled to advance past the fourth round in any of the four major tournaments.
Despite the challenges faced, Sabalenka recorded a strong 19-4 Grand Slam record, making her the top performer among the three. Gauff's record was 16-4, while Swiatek finished at 12-4, with all three securing titles outside the majors. Rybakina was a formidable force throughout the season.
During a recent episode of the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Stubbs emphasized her belief in Sabalenka, despite the need for emotional adjustments in her game after another near-miss season. Stubbs remarked, “My thoughts are that it's Sabalenka. She will probably be one of the favourites at the Australian Open. It’s a shock to me that neither of them won a Slam this year.” She indicated that if Sabalenka makes the necessary emotional changes, she could secure the Australian Open.
Stubbs delineated the potential for each player, suggesting that Swiatek might be more confident on clay and recognizing Gauff’s capabilities on the same surface. "I would probably have to go Sabalenka and then a bit of a tie between Swiatek and Coco Gauff,” she concluded.
In terms of Grand Slam performances for 2026, Sabalenka’s statistics show she had the highest win rate of the three, despite not winning a title. Gauff reached the semi-finals in two slams, whereas Swiatek couldn't progress past the fourth round.
In her analysis, Stubbs also addressed Jessica Pegula, who had a consistent season but was unable to secure a Grand Slam title. Stubbs explained that Pegula faces tough competition from elite players and highlighted the need for improvement in her second serve to enhance her chances in future matches.
Pegula, the oldest player in the WTA top 10, remains without a Grand Slam title and is set to return to competition at the China Open beginning September 28. For Sabalenka, the upcoming season poses the challenge of converting her strong performance into a Grand Slam victory.