Former tennis star Andy Roddick is in a confused state of mind ahead of the ongoing US Open finals. While Roddick’s admiration for Jessica Pegula is not something alien to the fraternity, this former player gave an interesting twist to his opinion. Carefully observing the playstyle of the two finalists, Roddick picked his favorite helping people to find out whom to support.

Finalist Aryna Sabalenka defeated Emma Navarro in an impressive match at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. She entered the Slam finals after overpowering the American by 6-3, 7(7) – 6(2). After this epic performance, Sabalenka will play the finals against another American Jessica Pegula tomorrow. On the other hand, the WTA no 6 defeated Karolina Muchova by 1-6, 4-6, and 2-6 yesterday.

Pegula is Roddick’s favorite. Despite that, the 2024 Australian Open champion’s incredible playstyle has forced Roddick to rely on her possibilities to win the Grand Slam. Previously, this former player named Sabalenka as “a significant favorite” for the ongoing US Open. After the Belarusian’s recent performance, Roddick remains firm on his decision.

“I choose Sabalenka from the start I think I have to choose her again based on form,” he said on the recent episode of his podcast, Served with Andy Roddick. He explained his reason for the choice. Roddick said the thing with Sabalenka is that fraternity “can’t get over with her” because “she emotes so much” and “she’s fun to watch because you always know what’s going on.”

While Roddick picked Sabalenka for her form, he remained Jessica Pegula’s constant supporter. “I hope I’m wrong,” he said again after choosing the Belarusian for the slam. Despite praising Sabalenka’s skill, Roddick wants America to win. For that, he made such a contradictory statement. He might had picked Sabalenka but wanted his choice to go wrong. He clearly expressed his American sentiment while picking his ultimate favorite for the Grand Slam.

This is not the first time Roddick complimented the Belarusian. Ahead of the Slam, he told Betway, “I think Aryna Sabalenka is the favourite on this surface. I picked her at Wimbledon, and then as soon as I talked about it, she pulled out three hours later, I don’t think it was coincidental that the two who really played well in Cincinnati – Sabalenka and [Jannik] Sinner – were the two who didn’t play the Olympics and had that extra week of focus and preparation.”

Roddick’s statement carefully pointed out how Sabalenka prioritized the American Slam, for which, she didn’t attend the Paris Olympics. It assured the former player that she might be practicing hard to win her career’s third slam in New York. Sabalenka herself revealed why she skipped the Olympics, which will surprise everyone!

Aryna Sabalenka has “no regrets” for skipping the Paris Olympics

Sabalenka was visibly delighted when she won the semifinals by defeating Navarro last Thursday. After the match, she attended a press conference and confessed something interesting ahead of the finals. “You have to sacrifice something. I decided to sacrifice the Olympics for the hardcourt season, and I have no regrets about that decision,” she said.

This WTA star explained how the decision was right because she “had a great kind of like time off.” She talked about receiving treatments, rehab, and a little camp that helped reset her mind and clear her thoughts before the Flushing Meadows. Sabalenka’s performance represented that her time off worked well for her performance at the American Slam.

Andy Roddick’s compliment for Aryna Sabalenka represents the Belarusian’s true potential in the sport. After an incredible show in Melbourne, Sabalenka had a challenging period to win a title. After a long journey she won her second title in Cincinnati this season. Now, after a leap in between, Sabalenka is proving her worth in the Slam. If she persists in such form, she might win another slam this season. Do you think she can make it?