SERVED WITH ANDY RODDICK — EPISODE SUMMARY
2025 WTA Top 20 Recap & 2026 Predictions | December 30, 2025
Participants: Host Mike, Co-hosts Jon Wertheim ("JW"), Sean
Tone: Knowledgeable, playful, and deeply invested in women’s tennis with a constant thread of insider humor.

Episode Overview

This special year-end episode delivers a comprehensive recap of the 2025 WTA Top 20, complete with analysis, personal anecdotes, and projections for 2026. Roddick and crew go sequentially through the top 20 players, highlighting their seasons, discussing pivotal matches and moments, and offering candid thoughts on standouts, surprises, and underlying trends in women’s tennis. They wrap with predictions, reflections on the remarkable depth on tour, and some fun banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Solid Pros: Elise Mertens and Samsonova (01:53-04:58, 11:51-13:41)

• Elise Mertens (#20) is heralded as the "human ATM machine," a model of consistency in singles and doubles (“She’s cashing a check every week and has been for a long time… a master at the basics of the game.” —Mike, 01:53).
• Stat: Mertens close to $20 million career earnings and out-earning some all-time greats thanks to her doubles prowess and week-in, week-out professionalism.
• Samsonova (#17): Recognized for her athleticism and solid results (notably at Wimbledon), though not seen as a future major winner.
• Sparked “Samsonova Rules” — a tongue-in-cheek segment inventing fun “facts” about players (13:02–13:41).

The “Could Be Higher” Crowd: Muchova, Imbuko, Samsonova (05:15-11:28)

• Karolina Muchova (#19): Frequently looks like a top-5 player, but inconsistent health curbs her rise.
• Imbuko [assumed to be Canadian, likely Marina Stakusic]: Praised as 2025’s breakout (rookie of the year), winning her home tournament and enduring a heavy travel load before a wrist injury (08:17–09:51). “She played 43 sets this year before she lost a set” (JW, 08:17).
• Consistency and health are repeated themes: promising players derailed by injuries or sophomore slumps.

Returning Stars: Naomi Osaka’s Comeback (15:01–19:34)

• Naomi Osaka (#16): Unorthodox career trajectory noted — “She’s won seven titles, but more than half of them are majors. … Strange year and strange career” (JW, 15:01).
• Her deep runs in Canada and at the US Open (beating Coco in the semis) rekindled hopes—but the stat that impresses: “The US Open semi was the first time she had ever lost in a major if she’d made it past the round of 16.” (Mike, 17:44).
• Both praise and caution: “She needs to play front foot, first-strike tennis. When she does, she’s as good as anyone… when she’s pushed back, she’s completely different” (JW, 19:34).
• Memorable personal aside: Osaka's influence extends to a “Labubu” obsession for Mike’s daughter (20:00).

The 15–11 Range: Sophomore Slumps & Comebacks (21:46–28:30)

• Emma Navarro (#15): Regression after a strong ’24. Discussed is the “second time through the lineup” effect and shifting from “hunted to hunter.”
• Svitolina (14), Noskova (13), Towson (12), and Bencic (11):
  • Noskova named most likely to crack the Top 10 next year due to age and momentum (25:53).
  • Bencic: Her comeback from maternity leave—up to #11 and a Wimbledon semifinal—called “one of the stories of the year” (26:46–28:15). “Returning in any workplace on maternity leave is an adjustment; doing so in a physical profession [and thriving]—all credit to her” (JW).

The Top 10 & Standouts (29:15–41:27)

• Ekaterina Alexandrova (#10): Breakthrough into Top 10 over age 30—applauded for career consistency.

• Mira Andreva (#9): Early 2025 surge, then injuries stall her charge. Still, “stock to invest in,” with marketable personality and game variety (29:53–33:46).

  • Memorable moment: Her arts-and-crafts sign for coach Conchita Martinez at Wimbledon (31:12) — “Just this relationship, a healthy relationship with a player and her coach.”

• Jasmine Paolini (#8): A cult favorite for her joy, intensity, and underdog fighting spirit. “Tiny package of… I have so much time to watch Jasmine Paolini… she’s just joy” (Mike, 34:58).

• Madison Keys (#7): Australian Open champion, called the best three days of women’s tennis this year (37:27–41:27).

  • “The quality of tennis she brought to the biggest 10 minutes of her career will really define her” (JW, 39:27).
  • The aftermath saw a “life tail” — emotional achievement leading to a quiet second half.

• Jessica Pegula (#6): “Stud at tennis” and a steady Top 10 performer. Compared to Taylor Fritz for professionalism and consistency. “Good hang…ripping beers after she loses and taking pictures… she’s just cool” (Mike, 43:58).

The Elite: Rybakina, Anisimova, Gauff, Swiatek, Sabalenka

Elena Rybakina (#5)

• “She presents as someone who was a number one draft pick in the NBA...just feels different” (Mike, 44:39).
• Expected to win more majors, praised for athleticism, powerful serve, and late-season surge. “She's in that upper tier as far as ability, easily” (46:26).

Amanda Anisimova (#4)

• From near-retirement and qualifying losses to finals at Wimbledon and US Open—“one of the real stories of the year.” (47:26–49:12)
• Her “love and love” loss at Wimbledon is reframed by her resilience in making the next final and gaining revenge.
• Time off discussed positively: “She gave herself a mental and physical rest. She’ll get that six-month block of time back in her career” (JW, 48:22).

Coco Gauff (#3)

• The crew intentionally focuses on her strengths: athleticism, ability to generate errors and stress with defense, exceptional backhand, and championship mentality.
• “If the losses are ugly, I don’t care. She is the best in the world at being uncomfortable on a given day and getting a W. … She is just a winner.” (Mike, 54:10; 56:09).
• Noted is her top-level fame, public scrutiny (“Starbucks famous”), and the outsized focus on her serve troubles.
• Memorable quote: “I still believe...she’ll be a dominant server at some point in her career. … She’s number three in the world winning majors with like a daily, weekly struggle.” (55:33)
• Financial comparison: “Highest earning female athlete in the world” (JW, 58:33).

Iga Swiatek (#2)

• Legends’ ability to reset and break through: From late ‘24 adversity (including an overblown medication suspension) to dominance at Wimbledon—“Zero in a major final and two and o in a semi, like, on a surface that you don’t like...that’s what legends do.” (Mike, 61:29–62:14)
• Her “human side” showcased in a personal, revealing podcast interview.
• Now “favorite to win any tournament” (Mike, 64:07).

Aryna Sabalenka (#1)

• Wire-to-wire year-end No. 1, despite falling short in first three majors before clinching the US Open (64:35–68:15).
• “What Sabalenka does well...she’s instantly impressive to the eye test. … The reason why she’s consistent now is because she’s gotten a little bit faster. … All those things aren’t going to capture people’s attention, but they don’t happen without work and discipline.” (Mike, 66:26)
• Her resilience and personality — “She emotes so much...because she makes mistakes...we don’t give credit to the work it takes to become consistent. It’s not an accident.” (66:56)
• “We’re dealing with greatness… we pretty much pencil them in for a major a year.” (68:15)

Final Predictions and Depth of the Tour (69:40–72:24)

• Who finishes #1 next year? JW: “I gotta go the woman from Belarus” [Sabalenka]. Mike: “I think IGA’s going to get back into that conversation…it’s a coin flip.”
• Notable depth: The rankings from #20–30 are stacked with established stars and former major winners (Fernandez, Ostapenko, Qinwen, Badosa, Kenin, Raducanu).
• JW: “There are more major winners in 20 to 30 than 10 to 20.”
• Depth and injury issues are a serious talking point—“Everybody at full health, these rankings look a lot different.” (JW, 72:24)

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• Elise Mertens:

  “She’s kind of a master at the basics of the game.” – Mike (03:04)

• Stat about Imbuko:

  “She played 43 sets this year before she lost a set.” – JW (08:17)

• On Naomi Osaka's odd resume:

  “She’s won seven titles. More than half of them have been majors. … What a strange year. And what a strange career.” – JW (15:01)

• Labubu obsession:

  “Naomi Osaka had a larger impact on our family this year than she’ll ever realize.” – Mike (20:29)

• On Bencic’s return:

  “Returning in any workplace from maternity leave is an adjustment. Doing so in a physical profession… all credit to her.” – JW (27:15)

• Andreva’s sign for Conchita:

  “Just this relationship, a healthy relationship with a player and her coach… we forget these are teenagers.” – JW (31:12)

• Coco Gauff focus:

  “She is the best in the world at being uncomfortable on a given day and getting a W. … She is just a winner.” – Mike (54:10, 56:09)

• Swiatek’s resurgence:

  “Zero in a major final and two and o in a semis… that’s what legends do.” – Mike (61:29)

• Sabalenka’s consistency and growth:

  “What Sabalenka does well… she’s instantly impressive to the eye test. … The reason why she’s consistent now is because she’s gotten a little bit faster.” – Mike (66:26)

• Depth of the tour:

  “There are more major winners in 20 to 30 than 10 to 20.” – JW (71:46)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:53] – Elise Mertens analysis
• [05:15] – Muchova’s “higher than 19” argument
• [08:17] – Imbuko unbeaten sets stat and rookie of the year discussion
• [11:51] – Sam Sonova, “Samsonova Rules”
• [15:01] – Naomi Osaka and the paradox of her career
• [20:00] – Labubu/Osaka cultural impact
• [21:46] – 15–11 discussion: Navarro, Svitolina, Noskova, Towson, Bencic
• [26:46] – Bencic’s maternity comeback
• [29:15] – Alexandrova and Andreva (and Conchita's sign, [31:12])
• [34:58] – Jasmine Paolini as fan-favorite
• [37:27] – Madison Keys’ Australian Open run breakdown
• [43:00] – Pegula praise
• [44:39] – Rybakina as “No. 1 draft pick”
• [47:26] – Amanda Anisimova’s mental health break and season
• [54:10] – Coco Gauff focus, mental fortitude
• [61:29] – Swiatek’s legendary Wimbledon and personal interview
• [64:35] – Aryna Sabalenka’s year, resilience, and transformation
• [69:40] – Depth in WTA and predictions for next year

Closing Thoughts

• The podcast underscores the impressive depth and unpredictability of the WTA, where many former champions and bright prospects linger outside the Top 20.
• Injuries, comebacks, and “legend moments” shaped the season. The top cohort (Sabalenka, Swiatek, Gauff, Rybakina) show outsized consistency, but, as Roddick emphasizes, breakthrough and comeback stories are everywhere.
• Roddick, JW, and Sean offer a blend of irreverence and reverence for women’s tennis, celebrating both the steady professionals and the superstars.
• 2026 is forecast as wide open: “It’s a coin flip between IGA and Sabalenka [for #1].”

“The WTA is in a very nice place, I think. … Recognize greatness while it’s in front of us.” – Jon Wertheim / Andy Roddick (70:24, 64:08)