Andy Roddick highlights Aryna Sabalenka skill he didn’t have amid Serena Williams comparison
Aryna Sabalenka’s rise to greatness is continuing, and with it comes some lofty comparisons.
The Belarusian added her third Grand Slam title at the US Open with victory over Jessica Pegula, making it two titles in 2024 after starting the year with triumph in Australia.
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Sabalanka is on top of the world after another major winCredit: GettyOf all active female players, only Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka have won more Slams than Sabalenka, who showed another key reason why they should be looking over their shoulders.
The 26-year-old won the first set of her final 7-5, and after going 3-0 up in the second she collapsed with a string of errors.
Pegula smelt blood and assailed to a 5-3 lead in front of her home fans, but Sabalenka still managed to get things done for a 7-5 win and straight-set victory.
read more on Aryna SabalenkaRemarking on that feat, fellow US Open winner Andy Roddick was full of praise for tennis’ latest star.
“To keep shooting your shot even after missing 17 balls in the last 12 minutes is a skill that I didn’t have,” he said.
“If I’m missing, I’m losing confidence. How you commit to going back there, deleting all the stress and going and shooting again is crazy.”
Kim Clijsters then followed up with the highest of praise in tennis circles, adding: “Just like Serena [Williams], she has the ability to step up when needed.”
Praise doesn’t get much higher than Williams, who won a total of 23 Grand Slams across three decades, finishing the year as world no.1 on five occasions.
Discussing how Sabalenka has made it to the very top of sport, Roddick was keen to compare her to more tennis greats, and explain why he wished he could be a little more like her.
He continued: “There are so many different ways to get to greatness. I always use the example, what if someone tried to coach the volley technique out of [John] McEnroe? What if someone tried to coach the Vamos finish from Rafa [Nadal]?
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Only Margaret Court has won more Slams than the legendary WilliamsCredit: Getty“What if someone coached those things out of them because they weren’t accepted at the time? What if someone coached out the ability to create friction for Novak [Djokovic]? You have to commit to who you are and find your best process, it’s not one-size fits all.
“Look at Roger [Federer], Rafa, Novak, Serena. You could not have four more different personalities.
“With Sabalenka, I appreciate the different process. And hers looks fun. And she dives in afterwards and has a smile.
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“It’s like she’s down for a joke but also committed to improvement, it seems like she has a great balance.
“I wish I had a little more Sabalenka.”
