Former American tennis stars Coco Vandeweghe and Paul Annacone have addressed whether Aryna Sabalenka or Coco Gauff will have a stronger season in 2026.<\/p>\n
Sabalenka<\/a> is the world No 1 with 10,870 points after she was the leading WTA player in 2025, having won four titles and reached nine finals.<\/p>\n The Belarusian was outstanding at the majors as she triumphed at the US Open, reached finals at the Australian Open and the French Open, and made the last four at Wimbledon.<\/p>\n Gauff<\/a> is ranked third in the world on 6,763 points, having secured titles at the French Open and the Wuhan Open in 2025, while she was also a runner-up at WTA 1000 events in Madrid and Rome.<\/p>\n Speaking to Tennis.com, Vandeweghe was asked whether Sabalenka or Gauff will have the better campaign in 2026.<\/p>\n \u201cSabalenka will have the better season,\u201d said the former world No 9.<\/p>\n \u201cShe has proven it these last few years to the be more consistent and reliable player between the two.\u201d<\/p>\n Tennis News<\/p>\n Aryna Sabalenka calls for Nick Kyrgios \u2018Battle of the Sexes\u2019 rematch \u2013 but with one rule change<\/a><\/p>\n Coco Gauff\u2019s key \u2018superpower\u2019 hailed by former world No 1 ahead of 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Annacone, a former coach of Roger Federer and Pete Sampras, responded to the same question.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat happens over the off-season will have a lot to say about what plays out in 2026,\u201d said the former world No 12, who currently coaches Taylor Fritz.<\/p>\n \u201cI think Coco has a few things to iron out \u2014 more mentally then technically.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have heard and participated in the talk about her serve and her forehand, but I believe it is a mental reset that will help her get past that. If so, the sky\u2019s the limit.\u201d<\/p>\n Vandeweghe and Annacone were also asked whether Amanda Anisimova or Elena Rybakina is more likely to win a Grand Slam this year.<\/p>\n Coco Vandeweghe: \u201cI would love to say both, but If I had to choose one I would to go with a first Slam for Amanda Anisimova, which would be an amazing story.<\/p>\n \u201cAnisimova finished at No 359 in the WTA rankings at the end of 2023. Two years later, she finishes at No 4 with back-to-back Grand Slam final finishes. But both women definitely have it in them to do next year.\u201d<\/p>\n Paul Annacone: \u201cI have loved what we\u2019ve seen from Amanda Anisimova.<\/p>\n \u201cI think she is knocking on the door, and she is my vote for a major victory next year.\u201d<\/p>\n Want more from Tennis365? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for tennis coverage you can trust.<\/p>\n