In this week’s episode, Andy Roddick and Jon Wertheim discuss Novak Djokovic’s trip to Argentina to play Juan Martín del Potro in a special retirement/exhibition match. They also dive into Carlos Alcaraz’s two exhibition matches in the U.S.—one in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the other at Madison Square Garden in New York. Andy shares his experience of watching Alcaraz in an exhibition format and makes the case for off-season exhibition matches despite the criticism in the era of fighting against more tour-sanctioned matches.
In our recent Fan Q&A episode (linked below), our friend Basil Rudawsky shared a story about his old Wilson Sledgehammer, and Andy’s suggestion was to bury the racket. Today, Andy reacts to Basil following through on that advice while he waits to receive his new Wilson Shift racket. What’s the old racket you just can’t bring yourself to part with?
Fan Q&A Episode: https://youtu.be/B0qKM2hFgDo
0:00 Quick Fact Check for Last Week’s Episode
0:50 Welcome to Served
1:19 Wilson Racket Burial
5:30 del Potro Farewell Match against Novak Djokovic
18:36 Alcaraz in NYC & CLT
40 Comments
Love the Kyrgios shade at the end there!
Thank you for talking about DelPo, and happy to hear a similar quote regarding him than to the friend of the show Kim Clijsters. I enjoyed a lot the interactions we saw during the USO exo, and distinctly remember AR asking at Wozniaki what the heck she was up to by looking for DelPo's forehand. A shame all he's gone through (his body, his money, etc) I genuinely hope he can find a way to have day to day without pain. If y'all could have him on the show, it would be amazing, esp now that he spends some time in Miami with his academy? I know this is a Wilson friendly show (the funeral was AMAZING…don't think I've ever said that with this much joy) but DelPo was THE one who got me into using the six one. I have an unplayed v13 one, hopefully it can be signed by him some day.
I was so happy seeing all the content shared regarding the event at Charlotte, and to just add a little note about Carlos, I think it sums everything up when you see the videos about the kid who went there with a poster saying it was his birthday and that he traveled 800 miles to see the game, and he not only gets a signed hat, but Carlitos' actual racquet, the kid bawling at the end, understandably. You guys really drove home the importance of events like this to foster tennis. There's also lower key ways of them getting some money and having some down time. I recall last year my wife who works at a travel agency, sent me a flyer, puzzled about a clinic being offered at nearby Cabo. It was all inclusive for about a week at a resort with a tennis clinic, by one Carlos Alcaraz. She was asking if it was really "that kid" who we both really liked watching play tennis. While we didn't have the money (and I was way out of tennis shape) to go, it was, in relative terms, dirt cheap, barely little more than a usual stay at those places. This year I saw BigFoe post about it. Hopefully I'm not poor next year, and I can keep building on the big improvements made to fitness and tennis skill, so as to not be a complete waste of time for a touring pro 🙂
Anyone know what Andy was referencing with his Kendrick signoff?
Tennis Twits are so toxic. They are the same type of people who would criticise a drink of water in the desert because the cup is not to their liking. 😵💫
Exos are great. They get a lot of people interested in the sport. I wish Orlando would host one next year!!
The only thing that Novak received by going to Argentina for the retirement match was three bottles of Argentinian wine given to him by del Potro during a pre-match press conference. They both have so much respect for one another and are complete class acts.
This was such a good episode. Thank you !
Andy what’s your thoughts on the UTS tour? Do you think this is good for tennis or just like any other expo event? Please can you touch upon this on an episode!
Agree, I love the contrast between Carlos and Jannik, it makes their rivalry fun.
I loved both exhibition where Carlos played. He is a natural born star and entertainer. Everything comes effortlessly.
Novak’s gesture was for a great friend. He let delpo to retire on a winning note
DelPo was a giant of the game – both literally and figuratively. His fore hand was like a weapon of mass destruction! I'm so glad that he got to go out on his terms…
If not for carlitos's comments about long calendar, he is an awesome guy for exhibition tennis like roger. He has that tennis racquet entertainment factor.
Novak is a gem of a guy. Loved what he did to delpo.
Lovely genuine admiration for each other ❤
JCF & the rest of his team have said before that Carlos is very pure and kindhearted and it really shows in how he interacts with other people. Like yes, he's getting paid handsomely for these exhos but he's so in demand and incredibly fun, you know everyone is vying for him to play and Carlos wants to please everyone so if it's not harming his season, why wouldn't he play them? Glad it turned out well for everyone involved.
Of course, Carlos will have to learn to be choosey and selfish, accept that it's inevitable that he will disappoint some people but he's so great for the sport
hahaha THE KYRGIOS SHADE AND KENDRICK LAMAR LYRICS AT THE END. Love it.
Dream exhibition scenario:
5 years from now, after Novak has had some time to enjoy retirement, Novak, Rafa, Roger, and Andy play a doubles exhibition, in which each player is partnered up with each other for one set (so a total of three sets).
Also, Andy, could you do a video some day where you talk a bit more about what your tennis life is like these days?
I just loved the Wilson video where you tested their rackets. You were still hitting so well! That made me wonder what tennis is like for you and other retired top players… do you guys still work with coaches and do drills etc as a workout? Do you still play matches sometimes? If you were ever to get a competitive twitch, what possibilities would exist out there for players like yourself? Are there pro-equivalent tournaments for 40+ players? Like I have literally no idea what a post-ATP tennis life might look like. Could you fill us in? Maybe give some examples of what different paths players have taken?
I mean just as an example… have there been top-100 players who have retired from the ATP but then decided to go play in the German Bundesliga, or some equivalent league? I’m so curious!!
"Alright. Let's go drink." 😂😂😂😂😂😂
What a send off it was so nice i loved Delpo from start the gentle giant it is so sad he have so much injuried, from Novak fan love Delpo.
I was at the event in Charlotte and Andy is 100% correct. Alcaraz and Tiafoe are full of personality and the crowd loved it. The chemistry between them was great. Fun moments were Tiafoe hitting a couple of underhand serves and Alcaraz racing to the net and hitting behind the back between the legs shot for a winner. In on court interview, Madison Keys mentioned she and her husband were looking for a house in Charlotte. Wondered if Andy gave them any advice – lol. I really hope this exhibition becomes annual event in Charlotte.
❤👍
Joker is the reason I have always said Fedal were the 2 of the most selfish players ever. Fedal mostly were only in for themselves.
Good to know that Novak has some decency about him. I’m a doctor and a tennis enthusiast that lost alot of respect for him over all that vaccine nonsense. We were in the middle of a global pandemic, and such a shame that despite all his sporting achievements, he didn’t have the brain power to understand modern science.
Kygrios a fool and has the critical thinking of a gnat. Dude thinks pyramids made by aliens so i dont see why anyone would trust his cynicism…
I think Carlos is perfect for exhibitions but I talso hink they are great for him. Without the stresses of a tournament, exhos allow Carlos to play in his purest, most joyous, most magical way. I think he needs to play like that,to recharge, restore, rejuvenate. Also he's an extrovert so interaction with people comes easily to him. He is a gift to tennis in all possible ways.
Fun fact=
Delpo ended Roddick’s career
Delpo was a legend. Without injuries he would have won more. Kudos to Djokovic
Sometimes the 'yardbarkers' are the ones who are also the champions of truth, the ones who have the courage or the money to speak out on behalf of those who cannot speak out for themselves. Of course you don't like what they say or the way they say it. Of course they don't fit your mould and you don't want their extreme personalities in your nice polite sport. But they also sell huge numbers of tickets and are hugely loved. If you want to grow your sport – and I'm sure you do – you have to embrace more personalities. You will be delighted to learn that your yard barkers are losing this one. WADA have bowed to the Italian authorities and will allow microdosing up to as much a point as the Italian authorities demand. This will increase and increase – and increase. Throwing shade has consequences. Both ways.
I get why you aren’t the number one fan of exhibitions but one of my favorite childhood memories was seeing you, Serena, Wozniacki, and Isner in Columbia, SC in 2008. Definitely key to growing the game!
I was at the Charlotte event and it was fantastic!! Carlos and Frances were electric and funny – great chemistry, great duo! It’s incredible to watch them in person, how powerful and fast they are. We loved how they brought active and retired NBA & NFL players onto the court for a few swings! Maddie and Sloane were fun to watch too and I appreciated all they did for the Charlotte community in their short visit! More Pro tennis in Charlotte please!! 🙏🤞 and Great job Served team, I appreciate everything you’re doing!
I think we saw what happened at the end of the year when he tried to be everything to everyone.
His beginning have was astonishing and he had some injuries, second half not so great.
Kendrick 🤣
Thank you Andy Roddick for your kind words regarding Carlos. What a joy it is watching him play!!
I'm in Boston, which is a big sports town, of course, but not a tennis town per se. Boston went nuts when the Laver cup came to town. There is hunger and appreciation for tennis everywhere.
Great episode but i have to push back on the notion that Sinner isn't social. He's on lots of interviews and is extremely social, friendly, patient and mature.
Novak were in Argentina thanks to Juan Martin. A dream come true for Argentinian fans. I was there, was so emotional and perfect. IDK, I just could'n thank enough those both giants.
This was a such a great episode! Everything you said just reminded me why I love tennis so much ❤
I’ve always said it… If anyone wants tips on beating Carlos you just watch him play Frances. Alcaraz & Tiafoe go the distance every time they play
Andy seems so smug and biased and you can just tell which players he likes and wants to hype and which he doesnt.
Since he started defending players with doping cases blindly, denying tennis has a doping issue (and a collusion/corruption issue, like most sports where stakes are high and money is big), he comes across as not authentic anymore. He also has no idea about science and substances, parrotting the "only a tiny amount" PR speak – any serious doping expert, pharmacist biologist, doctor will tell you that of course tiny amounts can have an effect. Ask your wife about her botox!
I used to like the podcast but Andy is becoming insufferable, Wertheim is a shame – acting all high and mighty for years and then being caught with the most misogynist and disgusting comments about a female player… – yet he still gets the airtime.
Also: podcast makers are ignoring listeners feedback and emails to the producers. No good community management.