"I think she's a significant favorite" - Andy Roddick picks US Open champion from trio of Swiatek, Sabalenka and Gauff

Former World No.1 Andy Roddick was faced with a difficult decision when asked to predict the 2024 US Open women's champion, but the American eventually settled on Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka as his favorite to lift the title.

With World No.1 Iga Swiatek and defending champion Coco Gauff still in the mix, the Flushing Meadows title could be won by any of the top 3 players. However, Roddick believes Sabalenka's recent form could see the reigning Australian Open champion walk away victorious in New York.

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Missing the Olympics could be beneficial for Sabalenka, says Roddick

Both Gauff and Swiatek participated at the Paris Olympic Games this summer, with the Polish star winning bronze at the quadrennial event. Conversely, Sabalenka chose to skip the event and focus on rest and preparations for the North American hard court summer. This proved to be successful, as she stormed through to the Cincinnati Open title without losing a set.

“I think Aryna Sabalenka is the favourite on this surface. I picked her at Wimbledon, and then as soon as I talked about it, she pulled out three hours later,” the American said in an interview with Betway. “I don’t think it was coincidental that the two who really played well in Cincinnati – Sabalenka and [Jannik] Sinner – were the two who didn’t play the Olympics and had that extra week of focus and preparation. I think she’s a significant favourite.”

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The 2003 US Open champion gave his thoughts on Gauff's chances of winning the title in New York, claiming her recent dip in form could prevent her from going all the way.

"I haven’t talked to Brad Gilbert – Coco Gauff’s coach – in a month now, but I’ve got to think they’re realists,” Roddick continued. “They’re searching for something, but they don’t have to win the tournament on the first Monday. Let’s find some form, let’s grind out a couple of matches and let’s see if that turns into the second week.
“The great players, which I consider Coco to be, are judged against shadows a lot of the time. I don’t know how she’s going to feel going back to a place where she’s had such success. There’s no doubt that she’s searching for her best level, and maybe has been for a couple of months, but, Coco is probably the best in the world at not having her best stuff and still finding a way.
“It’s just going to be a matter of whether she can survive the first week. I think she’s going to have to play almost two different tournaments – win the first week and then reassess.”