Andy Roddick hails Aryna Sabalenka for her “intentional work and grit” after her dream US Open triumph
Andy Roddick praised Aryna Sabalenka for her US Open victory and runner-up Jessica Pegula for her exceptional campaign on home soil.
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Aryna Sabalenka and Andy Roddick (via The Guardian and The Tennis Gazette)
Andy Roddick praised Aryna Sabalenka for her performance following her US Open triumph on Saturday (September 8). The Belarusian dropped only one set in New York and beat Jessica Pegula in the final to win her third career Major.
In 2021, Sabalenka reached her first US Open semifinal, where she shockingly lost to Canadian Leylah Fernandez. At the same stage a year later, she let her lead slip against Iga Swiatek, losing the match despite winning the first set.
In 2023, the 26-year-old broke the jinx to reach her maiden final at the Flushing Meadows. However, she lost the title to Coco Gauff in the end despite taking the lead in the contest. This year, she learned from her three previous losses and put in a series of dominant performances.
Sabalenka began well, winning her opening matches against Priscilla Hon and Lucia Bronzetti in straight sets. She dropped a set in the win against Ekaterina Alexandrova but went on to beat the likes of Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng and Emma Navarro in straight sets.
Against Pegula in the final, she played with confidence and never gave the American any chance of taking control of the match. She won 7-5, 7-5 to finally triumph at the US Open after coming close many times.
American legend Andy Roddick took to social media to praise Sabalenka for her outstanding performance.
@SabalenkaA seems to get better and better w intentional work and grit. All without ever losing her sense of humor. Cheers to the champ. Also huge props to @JPegula. Someone who just keeps putting progress as the North Star. Class class class. As gracious as they make em. Thanks for the battle!Andy Roddick said via X
. @SabalenkaA seems to get better and better w intentional work and grit. All without ever losing her sense of humor. Cheers to the champ. Also huge props to @JPegula. Someone who just keeps putting progress as the North Star. Class class class. As gracious as they make em.…
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) September 8, 2024
Despite having won only three titles this year, Sabalenka will end the year with two Grand Slams to her name. The Belarusian will hope to take her good form into the Asian swing, followed by the WTA Finals.
Aryna Sabalenka happy to finally win the US Open after her struggles earlier in the season
Aryna Sabalenka began the year by winning the Australian Open. However, her form began to deteriorate, especially around the time her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov passed away in March. She continued to battle on the court despite the huge personal loss.
The 26-year-old reached the final of the Madrid Open and Italian Open, where she lost to Iga Swiatek. She suffered a stomach problem at the French Open, which played a role in her quarterfinal exit.
Sabalenka then had to miss Wimbledon due to a shoulder injury. And keeping the North American hard court swing in mind, she decided to skip the Paris Olympics.
Looking back at her struggles this season and across her career, Sabalenka stated her delight at finding the strength to always bounce back from a setback, which led her to triumph at the US Open.
They say you're going to see the reason later. I see the reason right now.That's why it's very special, because no matter what, every time I was coming back stronger and I was learning. I never gave up on this dream.Aryna Sabalenka said (via BBC)
Sabalenka now holds the highest number of Grand Slams by a Belarusian. The 26-year-old toppled Victoria Azarenka, who has two Major titles, after winning the US Open.
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