Roddick sees ‘clear’ Wimbledon favorite as he | Sports News

Aryna Sabalenka might have misplaced to Coco Gauff within the ultimate of the French Open however stays the clear favorite to win Wimbledon subsequent month, in accordance with U.S. tennis legend Andy Roddick.

Roddick has been a huge supporter of Gauff since her breakthrough and even urged that she’s generally unfairly criticized as a consequence of discovering success at such a younger age. Gauff, 21, turned an in a single day sensation after changing into the primary American teenager since Serena Williams to win the U.S. Open in 2023, and has since added to her success.

Gauff got here from a set down to beat Sabalenka within the ultimate of the French Open, clinching the second main of her profession. However, Roddick is for certain that Sabalenka is the favorite heading into Wimbledon and expects her to recuperate from a robust loss at Roland Garros.

During the newest episode of ‘Served with Andy Roddick,’ visitor Jon Wertheim analyzed Sabalenka’s qualities on grass as he previewed Wimbledon. “[Aryna] Sabalenka on grass, bear in mind there was that silly Russia/Belarusian ban, and last year she didn’t play a match, she was injured, she can play on grass, she can play really well,” he stated.

“Her game and her athleticism, that translates, even after this debacle, Saturday, I think she’s still the favorite at Wimbledon.” Roddick then swiftly interrupted Wertheim as he stated, “Time out. She’s absolutely the favorite at Wimbledon.”

Wertheim proceeded to call his three favorites for Wimbledon, as tennis prepares for the grass-court season. “I’d say Sabalenka one, Coco [Gauff] two, Madi [Keys] three,” Wertheim predicted.

Roddick then defined why he believes that Sabalenka might be in a class of her own at Wimbledon subsequent month. “I’m just telling you that there’s a lot that goes right for Coco as soon as she steps on a clay court,” Roddick stated.

“She’s amazing, but that doesn’t mean her spaces where she needs to work change immediately. [Elena] Rybakina is going to be on the shortlist, Madi is going to be on the shortlist. Sabalenka is the clear-cut favorite.

“I don’t put a lot of stock into a match. Is there going to be a hangover from shedding two Slam finals in a row? Does that have an effect on the psyche? Absolutely. But there’s not a individual to be guess on more confidently than Sabalenka at Wimbledon.”

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Sabalenka is enjoying some of the best tennis of her profession in 2025, shedding simply two matches in Grand Slams all yr. However, each defeats got here within the ultimate, as she narrowly missed out on the Australian Open title earlier than shedding to Gauff on the French Open.

Gauff has achieved each Grand Slam wins after beating Sabalenka within the ultimate, however each gamers have but to win a main on grass. The American has now celebrated success on hard-court and clay, however Wimbledon stays an outlier on her document.

Gauff has by no means superior previous the fourth spherical at Wimbledon and suffered a shock first-round exit in 2023 earlier than profitable the U.S. Open. Sabalenka has reached the semi-finals on two events, together with final yr, however has but to win a Grand Slam that is not performed on arduous court docket.