2026 French Open Day 3: Medvedev Upset, Sinner & Sabalenka Roll + Roddick talks Monfils

Summary

Served with Andy Roddick

Episode: 2026 French Open Day 3: Medvedev Upset, Sinner & Sabalenka Roll + Roddick talks Monfils
Date: May 26, 2026
Host: Andy Roddick with Co-host (Mike), guest chat

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Episode Overview

Day 3 at Roland Garros saw significant drama and upsets, including Daniil Medvedev’s shocking first-round exit, Jannik Sinner's dominance, and Aryna Sabalenka comfortably advancing. Andy Roddick provides sharp insights into the day’s matches, reflects on the unique challenges of clay, and offers a heartfelt tribute to Gaël Monfils. The episode navigates the evolving landscape of men’s and women’s tennis, the psychological and physical toll of Grand Slams, and the underappreciated impact of beloved figures in the sport.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Sinner Rolls, Clement Tabur's Big Payday

[01:39–02:18]

• Sinner dominates 26-year-old Clement Tabur, who earns $100k—his biggest ever payout.
• Roddick notes Tabur played well but Sinner was just a different level.
• Quote:
  "I was actively counting the amount of quality shots he was hitting per rally when he was losing rallies and it was five, six balls. I actually thought he played pretty well." (Mike, 01:55)

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Medvedev's Shocking Loss to Alexei Popyrin

[02:18–04:36]

• Medvedev (aka "Medi") loses in 5 sets to Australia’s Alexei Popyrin (called "Walton" here, which seems to be a verbal slip in transcript).
• Roddick laments his bracket's destruction, emphasizing unpredictability on clay.
• Medvedev played almost no clay-court events after Houston, raising questions about his preparation.
• Quote:
  "Like there’s some stuff that is... you hear that sound? It sounds like silence. But you know what that actually was? My bracket just crashing, annihilating." (Mike, 03:03)
• Roddick reflects on the unique challenge non-clay specialists face at Roland Garros, comparing the surface properties between Rome and Paris.
  "Roland Garros, the way that the clay is, shines a light on not native clay movers. I was dumpster fire on clay... not my favorite surface." (Mike, 04:40)

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The Role of Weather and Court Conditions

[05:37–06:19]

• Discussion on the daily temperature swings and their specific effects on clay, including moisture, ball bounce, and playability.
• Roddick notes,
  "The hotter it gets, the dustier it gets, which means the more slippery it is... It changes what’s available to you on a clay court, maybe more than any other surface." (Mike, 05:56)

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Kwame’s Historic Win Over Cilic

[07:11–08:36]

• French teenager Kwame becomes the youngest player in the Open era to defeat a Slam champion at Roland Garros, breaking Michael Chang’s record.
• Roddick contextualizes with Chang’s 1989 run, noting the differences:
  "It’s a true stat... but Chang did it in the quarters before he won the tournament. So, a long way to go." (Mike, 08:31)

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Other Men’s Results & Notable Matches

[08:49–10:30]

• Struff beats Bublik; both have similar attacking styles.
• Lerner Tien, guided by Michael Chang, continues his strong season—wins in Geneva and a confident opening round.
• Cam Norrie, known for never retiring, withdraws with a rib injury—remarked as his first-ever ATP/professional retirement.

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Undersold Tennis Ironman: Federer’s Never-Retirement Stat

[10:30–11:32]

• Roddick shares Federer’s little-known stat:
  "Federer never retired from an ATP match." (Mike, 11:26)
• Co-hosts react with near disbelief, highlighting Fed’s durability compared to top contemporaries.

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Women’s Draw: Osaka, Keys, Burrell Stun

[12:01–15:05]

• Naomi Osaka advances smoothly; Kalinskaya stops Boisson’s Cinderella story.
• Madison Keys wins easily: "I need her to win a couple of those easy matches... she’s good enough that if she reestablishes form, you go, 'contender'." (Mike, 12:55)
• Significant upset: Burrell beats Jessica Pegula—remarkable because Pegula rarely loses early to lower-ranked players. "If you were like, 'Who’s least likely to get upset?' Jess is on that short list of people." (Mike, 13:25)

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More Women’s Results

[14:10–14:59]

• Jovic avenges recent loss to Alex Eala.
• Maria Sakkari finally wins after poor form, taking out rising clay performer Noskova.
• Coco Gauff and Sabalenka progress without issue—as does Emma Navarro.

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Stat of the Day: Slam Champions Out Early

[15:16–16:09]

• Seven Slam champions have lost in the first round across both draws this year, including Emma Raducanu, Sloane Stephens, Barbora Krejčíková, Marin Čilić, Sofia Kenin, Stan Wawrinka, and Daniil Medvedev.

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Roddick Reflects: Gaël Monfils and the Joy of Tennis

[16:32–22:22]

One of the most memorable segments comes in Roddick’s appreciation of Gaël Monfils as he nears retirement:

• Roddick admits to being "too consumed with what I wanted him to be" and not appreciating Monfils' joyful approach in real time.
• "I was a thief of joy to the experience of Gaël Monfils. And I think I was wrong. I think I was totally wrong." (Mike, 16:37)
• Reflects on Monfils' athleticism: "Maybe the best, like, just raw athlete…that’s ever played tennis. Yeah, I think it’s a conversation." (Mike, 18:04)
• Monfils’ role: "He was here to fill a different role... the steward of fun in tennis for so long." (Mike, 19:43)
• The impact on fans: "[My wife] was like, 'This guy’s so much fun to watch. I’m kind of annoyed he’s retiring because I wish more people were fun to watch like this.'” (Co-host, 20:31)
• Summary appreciation:
  "We had enough monsters. We had all the Avengers. He was so… and is still and will be… he just has that aura." (Mike, 21:25)
• Roddick puts it plainly: "I think he’s been a real service to the game." (Mike, 22:19)

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Final Results and Wrap-Up

[22:24–22:47]

• FAA (Felix Auger-Aliassime) survives marathon five-set match against Altmaier.
• The team wraps up, promising more instant analysis with each day’s action.

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Notable Quotes (by Timestamp)

• On Sinner vs. Tabur:
  "I actually thought he played pretty well." (Mike, 01:55)
• On Medvedev’s loss:
  "You hear that sound? It sounds like silence. But you know what that actually was? My bracket just crashing, annihilating." (Mike, 03:03)
• On the uniqueness of Roland Garros clay:
  "Roland Garros, the way that the clay is, shines a light on not native clay movers." (Mike, 04:40)
• On Federer’s stamina:
  "Federer never retired from an ATP match." (Mike, 11:26)
• On Monfils: "He was here to fill a different role... the steward of fun in tennis for so long." (Mike, 19:43) "I think he’s been a real service to the game." (Mike, 22:19)

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Key Timestamps

• 01:39 — Sinner’s routine win & Tabur’s big payday
• 02:18 — Medvedev upset breakdown
• 04:40 — Clay court specialist talk
• 05:56 — Impact of weather on clay matches
• 07:11 — Kwame’s historic win over Cilic
• 10:30 — Federer’s never-retirement stat
• 12:01 — Women’s upsets: Burrell d. Pegula
• 16:32 — Roddick’s tribute to Gaël Monfils
• 22:24 — FAA closes out marathon win

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Summary

Day 3 at the 2026 French Open delivered a microcosm of Grand Slam unpredictability—from a massive Medvedev upset and emerging French talents to women’s seeds tumbling and beloved veterans like Monfils saying goodbye. Roddick’s firsthand experience—infused with humility and humor—anchors the episode, which moves effectively between analysis, trivia, and deep respect for tennis as both competition and entertainment.

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For tennis fans, this episode delivers equal parts insight, nostalgia, and candid reflection—capturing why Roland Garros prevails as a crucible for the sport’s defining moments.

Transcript

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[Mike]

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[Co-host]

So good.

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[Mike]

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[Co-host]

That was bad. Sorry.

[Mike]

Roland Garros Try again. Cinna rolls Clement Tabor, 26 years old, first time playing main draw at the French Open. Had to be a pretty cool experience. I saw a stat on the the TNT coverage. He made $100,000 for losing to center today. The previous high for like any day. So that means any tournament is 90 for Tibor.

[Co-host]

Really?

[Mike]

Yeah. So he made more today than he had ever made for like a given tournament.

[Co-host]

You mean like a whole tournament? Not just like a single match you

[Mike]

get paid on one day of tournament. Like, it's not as if they they don't pay you in installments as you go. It's not like you win your first round, they give you a bag.

[Co-host]

I know. You're saying he had never made more than 90 grand playing into a tournament period?

[Mike]

No, no. So I think, oh, playing a full tournament, the way that I understood the stat was his high for any tournament ever was 90 grand. And he made it. He made a hundred grand for, for today. So listen, 26 years old props. Hope it was a fun experience. He had to hit a lot of really good shots to try to even make a dent in center. Like we won't spend much time on center because I know he's going to eat up a lot of our coverage over the next two weeks, but has to be depressing. And like I was actively counting the amount of quality shots that he was hitting per rally when he was losing rallies and it was five, six balls. I actually thought he played pretty well. Upset of the day on the men's side. FAA still battling as we're. As we're talking here. But Medi goes down to Walton from Australia. You hear that sound? It sounds like silence. But you know what that actually was?

[Co-host]

What was it?

[Mike]

My bracket just crashing, annihilating. MEDI loses 64 in the fifth. Like there's some stuff that is. Listen, we. What we're doing with predictions of brag. We're guessing. Like I know that we know a lot and predictions are. It's basically a synonym for guessing. Right. Walton didn't even play on clay after Houston. No, he made challenge. He made a final on challenge in a court of a challenger in Asia and lead up to Roland Garros. Like he wasn't even trying to play on clay. Which obviously means you're going to be the former world number one and Grand Slam champion in five sets. First round of the French Open on a hot day.

[Co-host]

Yeah, he played. He did play Madrid.

[Mike]

Oh, he played Madrid.

[Co-host]

Yeah. He beat Lando Luthe in the first round.

[Mike]

I mean that's a big win.

[Co-host]

And lost Karen Hatching off in the second round.

[Mike]

Not a lot of prep time, but

[Co-host]

it was a lot of hardcore after that.

[Mike]

When you start your clay court season and then six weeks pass or four weeks pass or five weeks pass before your next match on clay.

[Co-host]

Yeah, he's play. He's played like four matches on clay since the start of the year. Yeah.

[Mike]

So anyways, not one that I looked at. You know, I didn't feel great about Medi. I mean you can listen to our sir. Our draw show. You gotta. You had to pick someone in that section. I didn't feel great about it, but I don't know that I saw him going out first round to someone who also might dislike clay a little bit. So maybe some soul searching for Medi. If you take out the Rome result, you could have the narrative that Mehdi lost O and O and Monte Carlo and then lost to Walton first round of the Aussie Open. But there is a semifinal in a Row where obviously he almost beats sinner in the middle.

[Co-host]

Yeah.

[Mike]

I don't know. So many, many being Mehdi.

[Co-host]

So Medi.

[Mike]

So Mehdi. You know what's, you know what? I'm watching Medi today, and I feel like Roland Garros, the way that the clay is like, shines a light on not native clay movers.

[Co-host]

Okay?

[Mike]

Right. Like, I always played, I played, I always play. I played fine in Rome. I was not good on clay. I was dumpster fire on clay. Not my favorite service. I won five on clay on tour, and I wasn't great on it. Right. It was a very big equalizer on a hot day at Roland Garros. The clay, it, it, it almost feels like baking powder. Right. Whereas like Rome, it feels like salt. Right. So you can dig in and Rome, you can be a heavier mover on clay. It's like you have to be like a native, like, slider. Right. Like to, to kind of flow into it. Medi's not that. Right. I, I, I think that's worth, worth mentioning. And I should have thought about, I mean, I knew it. I've talked about it before on air. I just can't quit.

[Co-host]

Medi, can I ask you about the weather real quick today? I think it says that the high was around, like, 88, you know, afternoon high, around 88 degrees Fahrenheit, but the low overnight's 64. How, how much of like a, does that temperature change affect the moisture of the clay? Like in the morning, you know, for the earlier matches versus then in the evening?

[Mike]

Way slower. I mean, it gets, the hotter it gets, the dustier it gets, which means the more slippery it is. Right. That's just basically hotter it is, the more slippery it's going to be on a clay court. Even with water and everything else, it just takes the water. It's like anything, Go, go pour water in your backyard on a day that's 95 degrees outside. And it's going to soak it up quicker. Right? That's just, that's just that it's the same. You know, it's hot, but it's hot for Paris.

[Co-host]

Okay.

[Mike]

Right. You know what I'm saying? Like, if you got, if you got a, if you're in Cincinnati in the middle of summer and someone's like, it's going to be 62 overnight and 88 during the day. It's like, oh, this is air conditioning. Right. So it does matter, but I think it's just an outlier for Paris. I mean, we're talking to JW last Week when we were doing shows and it was 52 degrees and rainy. Right. So the variance does, does matter. 88 degrees is it's warm, it's hot. Like it definitely is. But compared to the rest of like, you know, there are 12 events that are going to be way hotter than that this year. So it is a factor. I'm surprised that it's as much of a talking point. I think the biggest thing isn't so much the toll that the heat will take on the players at Roland Garros. It's the way it makes the ball travel like that up and away where the ball starts flying all of a sudden you can play different ways. You can serve and volley and come in, you can. You know, Rafa, everyone's like he loves a slow clay court. He loves a fast, high bouncing clay court where it's like it gets warm out and his ball's zipping all around and going even further out of the zone. And it changes the what's available to you on a clay court. I think maybe more than, than any other surface. So I think that's kind of the big one. It's always fun when you, when, when you're in a slam and you feel like you're kind of seeing the potential of like, I don't know, changing the guard a little bit. Like Marin Silic is an, is an uber professional. I played against him. The guy's so good from the baseline. Is. He was one of the early ones who was tall but it, you know, didn't sacrifice ball striking for wins the US Open in 2014. Said been hurt still comes back. He's 46 in the world right now. Like is is still coming back and still playing well. Beats Draper at Wimbledon last year. Kwame, this, this, this French kid. It's going to be very good when you see a 17 year old take away, take out someone as savvy as, as Chilich in pretty straightforward fashion at your home. Grand Slam hype is one thing. Delivering like that one to watch.

[Co-host]

So Megan dropped in something in here. It's Kwame is the youngest player in the Open era to defeat a Slam champion in men's singles at Roland Garros, surpassing Michael Chang who did it in 89.

[Mike]

Little different.

[Co-host]

Yeah.

[Mike]

Because Michael Chang did it in the quarters before he won the tournament. So a long way to go.

[Co-host]

So that's.

[Mike]

It still happens. That is a true stat. And Chang's victory was over lend the quarters when he was cramping and hit it under a handserve. It was the first match I ever watched start to finish in my life. That's a very special place for me.

[Co-host]

Me beat Edberg in the final.

[Mike]

You beat Edberg in the final? He did. Vashero beats Farrell 76 in the fourth set. This is another thing I want people to think about. 76 in the fourth set, 86 in the breaker. You know, the difference between winning and losing that fourth set on a hot day, when we just talked about everything. You feel real good about getting through

[Co-host]

that one, like, game.

[Mike]

An closing that out versus adding an hour of pain to your life. Good. One big upset on the men's side also. Strof beats Bublek. Similar games, actually. They both like to come forward. They both. Struf made the finals in Madrid, lost to Alcaraz maybe three years ago. Bubla giving up quarterfinal points from last year. Curious to see how far he drops. Is it outside of the top 16 when he's going into grass court season? We'll probably be right on the bubble. You know, we haven't talked about enough on Clay Lerner Tien, because watching him and how good he's been on hard courts and other surfaces, I think the toughest matchup for him, surface wise, is probably clay. I'm glad you mentioned Michael Chang, because he's guiding Lerner. Tien now wins in Geneva last week, wins today. Pretty straightforward. Like, I know it was four sets, but the sets were pretty. Lerner Tien just knows how to play tennis already. Like, he knows how to get through matches. He doesn't blow anyone off the court. He just dismantles you, which is. Which is different. He is so much fun to watch. Cam Nori had to retire. Apparent rib injury. That's been lingering. Techie Sean dropped the stat on me before we started. This is the first time that Cam Nori has ever retired in a. In a. In an ATP or professional match.

[Co-host]

That's like a cr. That's crazy.

[Mike]

It's wild. He's not. This. This is not some guy who's soft and pulling out. Like, if he's hurt, he, like, my mind automatically goes to, I hope he's okay for Wimbledon. Because if he's pulling out of an event, that's no joke. Quickly, can you name me someone who's a very prominent name in tennis? And I know the listeners are going to be screaming at you guys as they're listening to you struggle with this answer, per usual, who never retired from an ATP match. Played thousands of them.

[Co-host]

Played thousands of them.

[Mike]

Oh, yeah, this is a big name. He's the Cal Ripken of our sport. And it's the most undersold stat, I think, in all of tennis.

[Co-host]

It can't be Novak.

[Mike]

It is not Novak. Novak's. I. Novak's retired against me before, so that's not Novak.

[Co-host]

Thousands of them.

[Mike]

What? What era? My era. Murray. No, I was gonna say Sampras. No,

[Co-host]

I don't got.

[Mike]

Federer never retired from an ATP match. What?

[Co-host]

Wow.

[Mike]

Yeah, check it.

[Co-host]

I was gonna say that, but that just seemed absurd.

[Mike]

It's gonna be so pissed. You guys are gonna get crushed. How do you guys work at tennis studio? We're here to learn.

[Co-host]

That's why we're here. I was here because I knew everything. I wouldn't need this guy.

[Mike]

Osaka, to be fair, if I had to turn the studio on or point the cameras or do any of the audio, we also would not have a show.

[Co-host]

So he's writing everything down on a piece of paper.

[Mike]

So here we are. Yeah, this is my. This is my research department. Look right there. But you did drop the Nori stat on me, Sean. But yeah.

[Co-host]

Yeah, there you go.

[Mike]

You might have been. Actually before I just told you what I told you, you might have been in the only person on earth that knew that sad about Nori and didn't know the one about Federer. Just so we're clear, Osaka rolls. Kalinskaya takes out the Cinderella story of last year. Boisson started at 300 and something last year. Full year to make up ground. Has dealt with some injuries. Watched it today. The magic that was there last year was not there today. And you could feel her just wanting to find something. Two and two, pretty straightforward. Maddie Keys rolls three and oh, if she. I need her to win a couple of those easy matches, right? May not have played great this year. I think that all kind of goes by the wayside if she wins a couple more matches, right? She's good enough to where if she re. Establishes form, you go, oh, contender, right? Or at least contender for the final weekend bureau. Birol Beerle, Bueller.

[Co-host]

Burrell.

[Mike]

Burrell. Burrell beats Jess Pagula. That was a crazy big upset. Big upset. Career high 60 in the world. Currently ranked. I think if I'm right, 83, maybe 95 in doubles if I'm not correct. But beats Pegula. And it's. I think it's such a shocking result. Like, if you're gonna say a result shocking, let's talk about why, you know, without just being critical. I think it's shocking because Jess doesn't lose matches like this. Like, she doesn't lose early rounds to lower ranked players. She just hasn't been that person for five or six years. This is, you know, if you were like, who's least likely to get upset? Jess is on that short list of people. Maybe even more so than like a Coco or, you know, other kind of high ranked players. Shocking bureau. Played smart, coached by veteran Nicole Pratt, who was a good player in her own right. But that was a tough one. That was a tough one to watch. You know, all eyes go to the grass for Jess Pagula. Now, I've said this a ton of years. I think her best service could be grass. It hasn't beared fruit yet. I've been wrong, but I still think Jessicula is going to be in that conversation at Wimbledon. Jovic avenging a loss to Alex Yala in a recent tournament. Straightforward four and two. Um, Boko is rolling. You hear that silence? It sounds like silence. But you know what it is Your bracket. It's my other bracket. Blowing up. Medi took carnage to my men's bracket. Maria Sakuri, 9 and 10 on the year. Not exactly in the best form. Lost in Straussberg last week to Peyton Stearns. I think one in three or three and one, if memory serves, takes out no Scaba, who had just played, has been playing well on the clay. I did not see that one going. I think I had no scab out of the quarters and I think JW said something like what? Big result. Coco rolls, Sabalenka rolls. The advantage of these tournaments is that you can play a couple of rounds to get into it where you're not playing a Baptiste early in Madrid. Right. Or someone you can find your form a little bit. I'm hereby not worried about Sabalenka anymore. She needed to get a couple of these match wins in Emma Navarro roles. You have a stat of the day, Mike.

[Co-host]

Well, right now I think we're waiting on this. It's six. Six. FAA is leading the tyrant seven five right now.

[Mike]

No go. Well, tell me the Saturday and we'll come back to it.

[Co-host]

We'll come back to it. Stat of the day is seven. Seven slam champions have lost in the first round so far this year. Okay, we have Emma Radicano, Sloan, Steven. Oh, do you want.

[Mike]

I mean, okay. I mean, I did this before and I forgot about Radicanu.

[Co-host]

Yeah.

[Mike]

Krichikova, Chilich, Sloan, Stevens qualified, lost first round and then slid right over that TNT seat that was just waiting there

[Co-host]

for cocoa on the desk.

[Mike]

Sophia Kennan won a slam and I Think she lost to Peyton Stearns if memory. Maybe I'm right about that. I hope I'm right about that. And Stan Walrinka said goodbye to Roland Garros and Medi.

[Co-host]

Medi.

[Mike]

I. I did not have Medi losing to. To Walton. Gotta be honest, that one was gonna haunt you. That one hurt a little bit. That was. That was not the one. Alex blocks talking about Noria retiring. That's tough, man. That. That stinks. And you know what else I want to. I want to talk about before while we're waiting on this FAA result. Mumfis.

[Co-host]

Oh, yes. Yeah. You wanted to spend some time on that.

[Mike]

I do want to spend some time on that. Because I gotta say, like, I think when I was playing, I don't think with certain people, I could see the forest of the trees. Right. Mumfis, if I'm being honest, used to frustrate me to no end. Like, it was a tough matchup. I didn't like playing him. But also I'm like, man, you have all of this ability. And like, we want everyone to be as serious all the time as like, Rafa or. I was very serious, but I was also miserable on court. Like, I was a thief of joy to the experience of Gail Momfis. And I think I was wrong. I think I was totally wrong. Like, the emotion that people have about it being his last thing and wanting to say goodbye, it's not the same as like a walrinko, where it's full of like, fuck, man, you went and took the big three out. Like you were. You're. You're an. You're a stanimal. I was gonna say animal, but then I remembered his nickname. And it's not like the Rafa where we're saying goodbye to a generation or. But like, it's simply the reaction. People are. Feel like they're losing a big slice of joy in. In tennis. Right. And in like, listen, we might be. Do. I think Monfis was potentially one of the. Maybe the best, like, just raw athlete. If you're putting him into like a decathlon that's Ever played tennis. Yeah. I think it's a conversation, you know, does it matter that he didn't win a slam? Yeah, fine. And that's not the point with Gail.

[Co-host]

Yeah, he.

[Mike]

He is so watchable.

[Co-host]

So watchable.

[Mike]

Everyone loves him in the locker room. Everyone. Like, I got into words with him and I'm a idiot because, like, I'm the only person ever that might. May have had that experience. That's on me. I got in arguments with lots of people. So, yeah.

[Co-host]

Tracks.

[Mike]

If you get. Yeah. If you get in arguments with lots of people and half the tour doesn't like you, and then you have a person who you've gotten in an argument with that everyone loves, guess whose fault it is, most likely.

[Co-host]

Yeah.

[Mike]

I'm serious.

[Co-host]

Yeah, I know.

[Mike]

I just sat back and I was watching that match yesterday. I'm like, I wish I would have appreciated him in real time more when I was next to him, as opposed to kind of it taking the moment where he's saying goodbye for me to go. You know what? I've been holding this thing where I wanted him to be a top three player.

[Co-host]

Yeah.

[Mike]

I wanted him to be in the finals of Grand Slams more often, and I wanted. But also part of that want is because of the emotions that he stirs up. Like, it's, It's. You can't turn him off. You never could. You know, and it. Was it a step too far, you know, playing five sets at a slam at, you know, 39 years old or whatever? And I thought what he said about Svitolina was, Was beautiful. Was beautiful. No notes on, On Gail mom feast. I, I, I don't, I don't want to say, like, I shouldn't have felt what I felt about him. I just look back, and with time, I'm going, he wasn't. He wasn't put here to be that person, like, to be that, like, Rafa person. He wasn't. Like, he was here to fill a different role.

[Co-host]

Yeah.

[Mike]

Like, he was fantastic. Everyone loves watching him. Everyone loves being around him. He's like, he's like the steward of fun in tennis for so long. Oh, and by the way, he was six, seven in the world. Made a six.

[Co-host]

Yeah.

[Mike]

Made a bunch of Grand Slam semifinals, won 13 titles. Yeah, totally. Like, had an unbelievable career. Right. And it's just, I feel bad because I missed it. I was too consumed with what I wanted him to be too often, and it got in the way of me enjoying what he is and was.

[Co-host]

Yeah, well, I mean, it's. There's been a lot of highlights of him on, on social media. And Rose was watching the match that. My wife was watching the match with me yesterday, and we were, like, looking up at a bunch of them, and she was like. She's like, this guy's so much fun to watch. She's like, I'm kind of. And she said exactly what she said. She's like, I'm kind of annoyed he's retiring.

[Mike]

Yeah.

[Co-host]

She's like, Because I wish more people were fun to watch like this. And I was like. I was like, he's probably one of the best athletes that's ever played the game.

[Mike]

No, I don't. I mean, I hate to be, like, hyperbolic and say he's the best athlete. And someone goes, what about so and so? You're like, oh, yeah, so and so. I'm just saying, like, it's a conversation.

[Co-host]

I think he's one.

[Mike]

Like, if you. Like, if you. If you have 20 analysts in a room and you're like, who's the best athlete? His name is going to come up multiple times. Yeah, like, there and there's. And then you can just. It gets to, like, you discuss athleticism in different ways, and everyone. You either want to make it into an NFL draft combine, or you want to make it about, like, coordination and the rack, you know, Federer's racket melting in or Rafa's physicality or whatever it is. Then that's a side tangent. But, like, I don't know, man. Like, I just watched him, and I just appreciate now what he meant to the game. I appreciate the role that he filled. We had enough monsters. Like, we had enough Avengers. We had all of them.

[Co-host]

Yeah.

[Mike]

For too long, you know? Like, he was so. So. And is still and will be. Because he's not going to be forgotten because he's that guy. Like, he just has that aura. He's going to be the guy who has so much swag that he walks into a players lounge in five years and people like, oh, look at dude monkeys.

[Co-host]

I know.

[Mike]

It's gonna be cool.

[Co-host]

Like, Yannick Noah, like, it's not fair. The French guy, he has, like, Andy Ronick.

[Mike]

Yeah, yeah, exactly. Right? He has, like, that Noah Sapphin, you know, that kind of vibe. Yeah, he's. He's all vibes. And I. I was. I. I was more annoyed than I should have been for a long time. And I think he's fantastic. And I think Svitolina is fantastic. I loved what he said. Nail on the head. I love that his guys came out to support him. That whole generation of French players, which was my generation, they were so important. I. I just think he's. He's fantastic. And I needed to get it on record that I think I had it wrong for a long time.

[Co-host]

Yeah.

[Mike]

And I think he's. I think he's. I think he's been a real service to the game.

[Co-host]

That's cool. It's good to know that.

[Mike]

What's FAA doing?

[Co-host]

He just closed it out.

[Mike]

All right. We were waiting for Upset Special to see we were here before we started the show. We were watching.

[Co-host]

He's all smiles.

[Mike]

He's all smiles. As you would be if you won a million games into the fifth set against Altmeyer. Altmeyer, not an easy draw, has been dangerous at the French Open before. Anyways, we got anything else, Mike?

[Co-host]

That's it. That's what we got.

[Mike]

That's it. All right. We will see you tomorrow. Thank you for watching. Quick Serve Brought to you by ServiceNow. It's your day. 3 recap. AI is only as powerful as the platform it's built on. With the ServiceNow AI platform, your AI data and workflows all work together, connecting every corner of your business. To see how you can put AI to work for people, visit servicenow.com AI agents.