Andy Roddick has asserted that Aryna Sabalenka holds every right to think she is she best in the “world right now” as the 25-year-old defended her first Grand Slam title at 2024 Australian Open.
The 32-time ATP tour titlist lauded Sabalenka for being the most consistent player on the WTA tour at the moment and praised her for overcoming the serving issues.
Sabalenka who edged out Chinese World No. 12 Qinwen Zheng 6-3, 6-2 in the final of Australian Open on Saturday has garnered huge praise from the tennis pundits in the light of her recent success on Melbourne Hardcourts. The Belarusian remained remarkably overpowering at the event as he didn’t drop a set during her triumphant and never lost more than 3 games in just two of the 14 sets she won. These two sets came in her 7-6(2), 6-4 semifinal win against 2023 US Open Champion Coco Gauff.
The World No. 2 has reached the semifinal or better at the last 6 Majors she participated in dialing back to 2022 US Open making her the most consistent player on WTA circuit during the period.
World No. 1 I and 4-time Grand Slam Champion Iga Swiatek fell through in the R3 of the Australian Open after being upset by Linda Noskova.
Former World No. 1 Andy Roddick noted how Sabalenka has got rid of her serving yips that triggered a staggering number of double faults in 2022 season and was full of praise for the 2-time Australian Open champion.
“You love to see progression and hard work being rewarded. The most impressive thing is that 15 months ago she was dealing with the serving yips and there were questions about her mentality and faith in her own game,” the 2003 US Open Champion told Betway.
“The physical attributes have been there from the word go, so credit to her for working through those issues, because this was comprehensive. I hope it’s as gratifying to her as everyone else feels it should be.
“She’s now made the semis or better in the last six majors, and I don’t know that any of us dummies would have looked at her two years ago and said that she was going to be the most consistent player on Earth. She has every right to think that she’s the best player in the world right now.”
The legendary American server also credited new world No 7 Zheng’s handling of pressure against top seeds drawn against her in Melbourne Park and staying strong in crunch moments throughout the tournament.
“I also thought Qinwen Zheng was great. A lot of seeds fell early on her side of the draw, but there’s a certain pressure that comes with knowing from the round of 16 that you have a real opportunity of making a Grand Slam final. To win six matches and make that a reality is impressive in itself,” Roddick added.
“Her life is going to change now. Making a final and being from the Chinese market means there’s going to be a lot of eyeballs on her moving forward, but she certainly passes the eye test.”