The 2025 US Open reached its climax in New York with Aryna Sabalenka sealing her fourth Grand Slam crown in commanding fashion, defeating Amanda Anisimova in straight sets. While the Belarusian cemented her dominance, it was the 23-year-old American who earned plaudits for her remarkable resurgence this summer.
On his Quick Served Podcast (YouTube), 2004 US Open champion Andy Roddick praised Anisimova’s fighting spirit, insisting her breakthrough triumph is only a matter of time.
From Wimbledon humiliation to New York redemption
Just weeks ago, Anisimova endured a nightmare exit at Wimbledon, dismantled 6-0, 6-0 by world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in her first Grand Slam final. The heavy defeat drew headlines for all the wrong reasons and left serious doubts heading into the North American hardcourt swing.
But in Flushing Meadows, the American flipped the narrative. She conquered Swiatek in a gutsy quarterfinal and stormed into the US Open final, proving her resilience and securing a career-high ranking of world No. 4. Though the trophy slipped away, her ability to rebound from Wimbledon’s bitter disappointment impressed Roddick.
“She’s going to win a Grand Slam. No doubt,” Roddick said. “You feel for her though. I’ve been in that spot. I won my first Slam right away, so I never had the ‘Will he win one?’ question. Mine was, ‘Will he ever win one again?’ That’s its own pressure. But Anisimova’s tough.”
Sabalenka shows championship steel
Roddick also highlighted Sabalenka’s mental fortitude. The world No. 1 absorbed the pressure of being a favorite at multiple majors and finally broke through again in New York.
“The shot that won it for her was amazing,” Roddick noted. “Anisimova hits a firm return, Sabalenka takes it from the middle of the court, first ball, straight to Anisimova’s forehand. Didn’t lean off it, didn’t fade it—just ripped it. She took her time after winning—you could see the stress relief.”
He credited Max Mirnyi, who recently joined Sabalenka’s team, for providing a fresh perspective that sharpened her game at the crucial moment.
A tough moment on stage
The former champion also sympathized with Anisimova during the long trophy ceremony. As speeches carried on, she lingered in the background, struggling to hold back tears.
“Honestly, brutal. She’s standing there, hasn’t even hugged anyone yet, and has to step up to the mic,” Roddick said. “The goal at that point is just to get through it without breaking down. You can feel bad for Anisimova and still give Sabalenka all the credit in the world. She’s a badass. She’s No. 1, she’s tough, she makes adjustments. That’s greatness.”
The bigger picture
For Sabalenka, the victory cements her status as the most consistent force in women’s tennis, with back-to-back US Open titles and four majors overall. For Anisimova, despite the sting of defeat, the journey marks a turning point. With her renewed confidence and ability to rise from setbacks, Roddick believes the question is not if she will become a Grand Slam champion, but when.