"You're supposed to be refreshed and you're already mentally frazzled": Collins, Vandeweghe and Gilbert sound concerns for Iga Swiatek

Early-season form, doubles success, and the race to world No. 1 were all on the agenda during Big T on Tennis Channel, as Brad Gilbert, Coco Vandeweghe, and Danielle Collins discussed the WTA landscape heading into the Australian Open.

The panel began by reflecting on some impressive doubles performances from recent tournaments. “Wow, they had some incredible matches,” Collins said. “I think they won all their doubles matches. Are they playing together at the Australian Open? Do we know? They better. The way they were playing, they have a chance of lifting the trophy in Melbourne.” This comment referred specifically to Belinda Bencic and Jakub Paul and their strong doubles results, highlighting the pair as a team to watch.

Attention quickly turned to Iga Swiatek, who has had a difficult start to the season, including losses to Bencic and Coco Gauff in singles.

Vandeweghe expressed concern about Swiatek’s mental state. “Iga crying early in the season, getting bageled a set from Bencic and the fourth consecutive straight set loss to Coco. To me, coming into January, you’re supposed to be refreshed, regenerated, and you’re already mentally frazzled,” she said. “I hope nothing terrible is going on off the scenes that we don’t know about, but I think for anyone looking from the outside in, this is worrisome.”

She also highlighted tactical weaknesses that opponents have begun to exploit. “That backhand for Iga is what saves her, but it’s players that can match her in the backhand wing,” Vandeweghe said. “You’ve seen that difficult matchup with Coco Gauff. You’ve seen that difficult matchup with Bencic, Sabalenka, and Rybakina, where she feels panicked and has to bail out of the backhand. That puts so much extra pressure on that forehand wing for Iga Swiatek.”

Gilbert agreed, suggesting players could study Swiatek’s matches as a blueprint. “I’m putting in that CD and watching that blueprint,” he said. “Because if you go hard and fast there, there are a lot of opportunities.”

Vandeweghe reminded viewers to enjoy the Australian Open despite early-season drama. “This is a happy Slam we’re going into, everybody. We’ve got to enjoy ourselves,” she said.

She also noted the importance of observing players’ offseason preparation. “Well, we can say a lot of things. That’s for sure. We can drop knowledge anywhere, we can talk some smack, we can do all sorts of things. But the great thing about the start of a new year is you can see what people have put on in the offseason.”

The conversation then turned to Coco Gauff and her chances of eventually reaching world No. 1. “Coco Gauff will be ranked number one in the world at some point in her career,” Gilbert said. “I think it’s about a 70 percent chance, mainly because at some point Sabalenka is going to retire, Rybakina is going to retire, and Iga Swiatek is going to retire.”

Vandeweghe noted Gauff’s age advantage. “And those three are going to constantly be Coco’s nemesis throughout her whole career,” she said. “Coco’s got age on her side. She’s the youngest of that group, so she’s going to last the longest and be able to get it.”

Collins was even more confident. “I’m going to go 95 percent,” she said. “Okay,” Gilbert replied. “Much higher percentage.”

The panel also debated the timing of Gauff potentially reaching No. 1. Vandeweghe playfully pressured Gilbert. “I’m really putting pressure on you here, Brad. I mean, studio — you can’t run from me and the plane can’t call me to get me out of here,” she said before he said around 51%.

Vandeweghe also highlighted the clay-court season as a pivotal window. “That’s a jump,” she said, “because a lot of the three names that I mentioned — Swiatek and Sabalenka — have a lot to defend during that time.”