Andy Roddick suggests Aryna Sabalenka should be given more credit for the way she overcame her serving woes as the American tennis legend thought the Belarusian looked "relieved" rather than happy after lifting this year's US Open title.
Through the first part of 2022, Sabalenka was spraying double faults at a stunning rate and she finished that season with a total of 428 in that department. At the time, the Belarusian tennis player's confidence was visibly shaken and she even admitted in some interviews that she started losing hope.
Then, Sabalenka hired a biomechanics coach - the same expert who is now working with Coco Gauff. The 27-year-old's serve instantly improved, and everyone knows what has happened since - she is now a four-time Grand Slam champion and has been ranked at the world No. 1 spot for more than 50 weeks.
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At this past US Open, Sabalenka survived a semifinal scare after coming back from a set down to beat Jessica Pegula. In the final, the Belarusian failed to serve out for the match in the second set against Amanda Anisimova, but ultimately managed to get the job done in two sets 6-3 7-6 (3).
Roddick: It was more relief and pride for Sabalenka than it was out-and-out happiness
"We don't mention it enough. She had full-blown serving yips three years ago. You could see it (this year in New York), the way she took her time, she was more emotional. It was more relief and pride than it was out-and-out happiness," the American tennis legend said on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast.
"You could see that she took the moment, and it gripped her, and it meant more to her. That's because it didn't come easy for her this year. It didn't just happen. It was hard. It was grit. She was gutted a couple of times this year. That's what makes the moment sweeter. I was happy to see it for her. We appreciate her more."
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So far this year, Sabalenka has had 141 double faults - which is not that high of a number when you take into consideration that she has 66 matches this year.
