What happens when a player is so consistently dominant that winning becomes the expectation? According to American tennis icon Andy Roddick, that is the unique position Aryna Sabalenka finds herself in. The Belarusian star has put together an incredible 2025 campaign. Still, Roddick argues that her success has become so routine that it has almost been taken for granted, making any loss feel like a major upset.
With Sabalenka already locking up wins at the WTA Finals after defeating Jessica Pegula, it’s a paradox worth exploring.
Why Does Roddick Believe Sabalenka’s Dominance Is Overlooked?
The accolades keep rolling in for Aryna Sabalenka, who recently received the coveted year-end World No. 1 trophy from PIF Head of Corporate Brand and Strategic Advisory Department, Mohamed AlSayyad. The achievement makes her one of only 12 players to clinch the year-end No. 1 ranking multiple times, adding another feat to her growing list of accomplishments.
Her 2025 season has been nothing short of stellar, as she reached eight finals and captured four titles, cementing her legacy on the court. Her victories include the Brisbane International, the Miami Open, where she defeated World No. 5 Jessica Pegula, the Madrid Open, and a successful defense of her US Open title against Amanda Anisimova.
That incredible consistency is exactly what Andy Roddick discussed on a recent episode of “Served with Andy Roddick.” The winner of 32 ATP Tour singles titles praised Sabalenka’s high-level performances and explained why they can be underappreciated. He mentioned, “It doesn’t make it less difficult. But I think we’re starting to almost, and it’s almost a tip of the cap that we take her success for granted a little bit to where she loses a final. We’re like, ‘What happened?'”
The Hall of Famer continued, highlighting the incredibly high bar she has set. “Do you know how good you have to be at a sport to lose, to make the finals of two slams, the first two out of the gate for the year, and everyone’s going, ‘What’s happening?’ Do you know how good you have to be at that? I mean, that’s, it’s kind of crazy to think about.”
Her consistency extends beyond just titles. Even in tournaments she did not win, Sabalenka made impressive runs, reaching the semifinals at both the 2025 Wuhan Open and the prestigious Wimbledon Championships. She also advanced to the quarterfinal round at the Cincinnati Masters.
For her part, Sabalenka is focused on finishing the year strong, acknowledging the effort it took to get here. “This means a lot to me,” she added. “We’ve put a lot of hard work in this year, and hard work pays off. Every final and every match was incredible. I’m super proud of the season, and hopefully I can finish on a very good note here in Riyadh.”
The road ahead at the WTA Finals presents another major test. The Minsk native is set to face Coco Gauff, the same opponent to whom she lost the 2025 French Open women’s singles title.