Who will have the better 2026 season: Aryna Sabalenka or Coco Gauff?

As we make our way toward the 2026 season—which begins Friday, January 2 on Tennis Channel with the United Cup—our Tennis Channel analysts and editors tackle the most important questions of the new year.

Next up: Who will have the better 2026 season: Aryna Sabalenka or Coco Gauff?

VICTORIA DUVAL: Aryna Sabalenka will likely have a better 2026 based on how consistent her results have been thus far. Gauff had a superb season but it was streakier, with wobbly weeks and noticeable serve struggles. Gauff can have a better season if she's able to stabilize the double faults and employ the improvements made with biomechanic coach Gavin MacMillan.

COCO VANDEWEGHE: Sabalenka will have the better season. She has proven it these last few years to the be more consistent and reliable player between the two.

DAVID KANE: Aryna Sabalenka has been everywhere this off-season, playing exos, entertaining late-night hosts, and planning her very own Battle of the Sexes days before the New Year. Coco Gauff has been quiet by comparison, no doubt working on the major elements of her game that need improving. With a strong backhand, unparalleled athleticism, and suberb tenacity, one can never count Coco out—even when her serve and forehand become liabilities. Wall-to-wall consistency is the only thing to elude the American, and it’s very possible next year is the first time we’ll see that from her. Her Roland Garros run is living proof to never bet against her.

BRETT HABER: It’s hard to vote against Sabalenka here. She was a dominant world No. 1 in 2025. Seems like there are a few too many variables in Coco’s serve-forehand vortex to pick her over Sabalenka. That said, I’d pick Gauff over 99% of everyone else.

PAUL ANNACONE: What happens over the off-season will have a lot to say about what plays out in 2026. I think Coco has a few things to iron out—more mentally then technically. We 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's the limit.