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Madrid Open: Andy Roddick Consoles Danielle Collins With Reassuring Comments Following Heartbreaking Loss to Aryna Sabalenka

Published 04/30/2024, 10:29 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

Aryna Sabalenka has ended Danielle Collins’ 15-match win streak with a stunning Madrid comeback. The 25-year-old tennis star kept her defending streak alive at the Madrid Open, the American tennis player saw her unstoppable run come to an end after two consecutive title victories. Collins’s fortunes took a dramatic turn after Sabalenka’s victory, to the point where Andy Roddick, the American former world number one offered sympathy.

The 15th-ranked tennis player was around two points away from serving in her match against Sabalenka in the fourth round. The way Collins’ run at the Madrid Open ended stunned and surprised her supporters, but the reigning champion found a way out and even turned the tables.

Andy Roddick comforts Danielle Collins over her Madrid Open loss – “She’s allowed to lose sometimes”

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Recently, during the Tennis Channel Life podcast, the 41-year-old former world number one gave positive reasoning for the defeat Collins faced against Sabalenka. Roddick said, “You can save it. I’ll say that Sabalenka is pretty good.”

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Further, he also highlighted how victories and defeats are part of a game and go hand in hand altogether. Even though he appreciated the way the 30-year-old tennis player was winning continuous events, losing to the Australian Open champion is a huge thing in itself.

He added, “I know Danielle Collins has played great stuff winning Miami, winning in Charleston. She’s allowed to lose sometimes. Sabalenka by the way won the Australian Open this year, so not like an upset let’s not treat it like an upset yet.” Apparently, with 39 victories to just 20 unintentional mistakes, the two-time Grand Slam champion demonstrated her aggressive style of play by winning the match.

However, the Miami Open winner responded with 30 victories against 27 unintentional mistakes, showcasing her tremendous power. When it counted, Sabalenka was more effective than Collins, scoring 11 break points throughout the match, as she converted six of her nine attempts, securing her victory.

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Not only that but just a few days ago, Roddick also made a detailed analysis of the sudden resurgence Collins faced in the past few months.

Roddick’s reason for Collins’ sudden resurgence

The 41-year-old former American tennis player suggested on his podcast, Served with Andy, that the Miami Open champion’s prospective retirement choice may have emancipated her mentally, resulting in her recent performances. He stated, “I can’t say enough good things about Collins. I don’t know if her impending decision on this being her last year has just freed her up completely mentally. The physical part of it is so convincing right now with what she’s doing.”

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On the other hand, the former world number one was impressed by the 15th-ranked tennis player’s ability to consistently play excellent points that make it difficult for opponents to have an advantage. He surmised that she might have been psychologically liberated by the idea of retiring, which would have given her more flexibility on stage.

Although this was a brutal defeat, Collins is gearing up for the next match in her last year on the tour!

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Written by:

Pratishtha Prakash

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Pratishtha Prakash, tennis writer and resident analyst at EssentiallySports isn't just a sports journalist; she's a storyteller who found her true calling in tennis content. It is something she seamlessly integrates into both her professional and personal realms. Having professional certifications in content and digital marketing, Pratishtha has made it a habit to hone her skills as a quality journalist.
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Edited by:

Arunima Bhanot