"Rafael Nadal is doing kangaroo jumps, Roger Federer is playing Angry Birds" - Andy Roddick compares Aryna Sabalenka's big-match approach to Big 3's

Andy Roddick recently said he was impressed by how well Aryna Sabalenka handled herself before a big match during this year's North American hardcourt summer. The former World No. 1 also dissected the pre-match preparations of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Serena Williams as he put the Belarusian's approach in perspective.

Andy Roddick invited four-time Major winner Kim Clijsters this week on his podcast to discuss what the champions go through before matches. The American began by alluding to Serena Williams' competitive mindset and Novak Djokovic's strong determination. Talking about the rituals that Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer perform before they walk out on-court for big outings, Roddick said:

"Look at Roger, Rafa, Novak, Serena. Literally, you couldn't have four more different personalities. And the way that they go about things, the way that they act an hour before a match. Serena's like, 'F**k you, you're not taking my lunch.' Novak is like, he's just intense," Andy Roddick said on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast (35:56 onwards).

"Rafa is doing kangaroo jumps and somersaults before an hour they go on. And Roger is like playing Angry Birds, and it's time to go play Wimbledon final, and he flips his thing and puts his headband on, and then he goes out and dominates you," Roddick added.

Discussing the approach these tennis greats took to their high-stakes matches, the 2003 US Open champion claimed that while Aryna Sabalenka had her fair share of fun, she was also 'committed towards improvement' and possessed a 'great balance' in her life.

"With Sabalenka, I appreciate there are different processes and hers just looks really fun. And she dives in afterward. She has a smile, and it's like she's up for a joke but also is committed to improvement. It seems like she has great balance. I admire her more and more," Roddick said (at 36:39).

Sabalenka went on an absolute tear in the last few weeks, winning back-to-back titles at the US Open and the Cincinnati Open.

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"Aryna Sabalenka's laughing, joking, and making bets about tiger tattoos" - Andy Roddick on Belarusian's preparation for matches

Aryna Sabalenka poses with the US Open trophy

During the same podcast episode, Andy Roddick also brought up Aryna Sabalenka's hilarious 'tiger tattoo' bet that she made with her physio during the US Open, further attesting to the Belarusian's light-hearted approach.

"There are so many different ways to get to greatness. Aryna Sabalenka's laughing, joking, and making bets about tiger tattoos," Roddick said (at 34:54).

Aryna Sabalenka has enjoyed a career-best season on the WTA Tour in 2024. The Belarusian defended her 2023 Australian Open crown in impressive fashion, before picking up titles in New York and Cincinnati later in the year. She also finished runner-up to her archrival Iga Swiatek at the Italian Open and the Madrid Open.

Following her US Open victory, the World No. 2 has now won three Major titles; and apart from her career achievements, her fanbase also continues to grow, thanks to her fierce playing style and cheerful attitude off the tennis court.