Andy Roddick Makes ‘Searching for Confidence’ Claim About Aryna Sabalenka Amid Slump in Form Before US Open

Aryna Sabalenka is dealing with a massive slump in form, for since completing the Sunshine Double with her win over Coco Gauff in Miami, she has reached just one semifinal, at the Berlin Open, where eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula eliminated her. When the North American swing started, Sabalenka was expected to end her title drought.

But at the Canadian Open, the Belarusian ace lost to Ekaterina Alexandrova in three sets in the fourth round. At the same stage in Cincinnati, she failed to beat Sara Bejlek. Next is the US Open, whose singles main draw is set to start on August 30.

But before that, the 28-year-old played in mixed doubles alongside Novak Djokovic. Days before this event, Sabalenka warned the rivals to be wary of her and Nole as they were eyeing nothing short of a title. But they were eliminated in the opening round by Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten, 1-4, 4-2, [10-2].

In singles, Sabalenka will be competing as the defending champion. And if she fails to win the title, she will lose her No.1 ranking to Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, or Jessica Pegula. So why is Sabalenka, who has been so dominant since last year, struggling now? As per former ATP World No.1 Andy Roddick, Sabalenka is dealing with confidence issues.

It’s concerning. Am I shorting her results long-term? No. But is she searching for confidence? Absolutely. Nothing would be surprising here. If she gets upset early and continues this bad run, it would be an upset, but it’s not as if the story that she is telling with her tennis going in dictates the conversation, where that is not possible.

Andy Roddick said on his Served podcast

Apart from completing the Sunshine Double, the four-time Grand Slam singles champion also clinched the Brisbane International and lost the Australian Open final to Rybakina.

Mary Joe Fernandez makes vulnerable comment about Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka will be bidding to complete the three-peat in the New York Major. In 2023, she lost the final to Coco Gauff but beat Jessica Pegula in the final in 2024. Last year, Amanda Anisimova finished as the runner-up. But because of her form issues, former WTA player Mary Joe Fernandez believes Sabalenka will be vulnerable when she plays this time.

For the women, Sabalenka is going for a three-peat. She hasn’t reached a final since winning Indian Wells and Miami back-to-back. She struggled a bit winning the big points. She’s lost a couple big leads in some events. So, she’s vulnerable. 

Mary Joe Fernandez said on ESPN

Fernandez believes players like Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina, and Alexandra Eala are the favorites to win. Gauff recently ended her title drought by defeating Pegula in Cincinnati.

I thought Coco Gauff played exceptional tennis in Cincinnati. She played well in Canada, as well. To me, she’s the one that’s playing the best tennis. You have Pegula, Rybakina, if she’s healthy, who reached the finals in Canada. Eala was outstanding in Washington. She beat a lot of top players there.

Mary Joe Fernandez added

Aside from the Australian Open, Rybakina also reached the finals of Indian Wells, the Stuttgart Open, and the Canadian Open. In Toronto, she lost to Iga Swiatek, another favorite to win the New York Major. The six-time Grand Slam champion ended her title drought in Toronto.

Eala lifted her career’s first WTA title in Washington by beating Pegula, becoming the first Filipina to win a tour-level title. Pegula has made five finals this year, winning in Dubai and Charleston, and losing in Berlin, Washington, and Cincinnati.

Also read: Andy Roddick Makes Gael Monfils Comment While Criticizing Stan Wawrinka’s US Open Wildcard Decision