After being replaced by Sabalenka as world number one at the end of last season, Swiatek has no shortage of motivation heading into the Melbourne Park major.
The Pole held the top spot for 125 weeks during two spells from the 2022 season and while the clay courts of Paris continue to offer her the best chance of adding to her five major titles she is already showing strong form in Australia.
A Melbourne semifinalist in 2022, Swiatek, 23, delivered some strong individual performances in the United Cup mixed team competition, taking Poland to the final last weekend.
“I’m very satisfied with my game,” said the world number two, who served a month-long suspension late last year over a doping violation.
“I was able to overcome difficult moments by maintaining a high level of tennis for a long time. This is what all players seek, so it’s nice to feel like this already in the first week of competition.”
Swiatek came up short in her bid to lead Poland to victory at the United Cup after she lost in straight sets to American Gauff, who hailed the win over the Pole as one of the best performances of her career.
Gauff’s sole Grand Slam title came at Flushing Meadows in 2023 and she underlined her hard court credentials by beating both Sabalenka and Swiatek en route to winning the WTA Finals in November.
“I think after the way she finished (last season), she’s going to be really interesting to see,” said Australia’s former women’s doubles world number one Rennae Stubbs.
“I believe she has absolutely put her hands up to be one of the favourites for the Australian Open.”