Podcast Summary: Served with Andy Roddick

Episode: 5 SETTER: Record-Breaking Sponsors, Battle of the Sexes & More

Date: December 12, 2025

Host: Producer Mike (on behalf of Andy Roddick and the Served team)
Guest Contributor: Jon Wertheim (in spirit), with news and analysis from the Served staff

Episode Overview

This "5 Setter" episode of Served delivers a rapid-fire roundup of the week's five most compelling stories in the tennis world, focusing on record-breaking sports sponsorship, emerging stars, player-led content, cultural crossovers, and a provocative new “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition. Lively and insightful, the show keeps the tennis community updated on the game’s shifting landscape with punchy updates, memorable commentary, and meaningful debate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historic WTA and Mercedes Benz Sponsorship

[01:14]

• News: The WTA signs Mercedes Benz as its new premier partner, replacing Hologic.

• Financials: “The largest sponsorship in the history of women's sports” at $500 million over 10 years.

• Impacts: Mercedes Benz to provide a fleet of electric vehicles for 30+ tournaments, and their branding will now headline the WTA Tour.

• Notable Athlete: Coco Gauff joins Mercedes Benz’s athlete ambassador roster, alongside the likes of Roger Federer.

• Coco Gauff’s Statement:

  “Mercedes Benz and WTA partnering together is proving that the dreams of young girls in sports are worth investing in. To invest in someone like me, a woman of color, is super inspiring.”
  —Coco Gauff [01:55]

• Quirky Note: Potential awkwardness when the “WTA Tour, driven by Mercedes Benz,” lands at Stuttgart’s Porsche Grand Prix in April—will Gauff play?

• Summary: The deal signals a monumental investment in women’s tennis, both in visibility and resources.

2. Jakob Mencik Withdraws from Next Gen ATP Finals

[02:51]

• Update: Czech rising star Jakob Mencik withdraws from Next Gen ATP Finals due to medical reasons.

• Career Highlight: Mencik made waves earlier in 2025 by defeating Novak Djokovic to win the Miami Open.

• Replacement: German teen Justin Engel steps in—known for breaking age-related records and winning on all three surfaces.

• Playful Question:

  “Wonder if he's a Porsche or a Mercedes guy?”
  —Producer Mike [03:35]

• Event Timeline: Draw on December 15; play begins Tuesday.

3. Ben Shelton Launches YouTube Docuseries

[03:49]

• New Content: Ben Shelton starts a YouTube channel with the docuseries "The Long Game."
• Content Style: Promises an “unedited and unfiltered” glimpse into his life, from US Open runs to his ATP Finals debut.
• Target Audience: Appeals to both passionate tennis aficionados and casual fans with behind-the-scenes access.
• Personal Note:

  “I am personally pumped to watch this. Let us know what you guys think about the show.”
  —Producer Mike [04:21]

4. Venus Williams Named Co-Chair of the Met Gala

[04:44]

• News: Venus Williams will co-chair the Met Gala, joining Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, and Anna Wintour.
• Historic Context:
  • Serena Williams co-chaired in 2019.
  • Other tennis co-chairs: Naomi Osaka (2021), Roger Federer (2023).
• Theme & Date: “Costume Art,” set for the first Monday in May.
• Takeaway: A celebration of tennis stars crossing into high fashion and global cultural influence.

5. Battle of the Sexes Exhibition Returns

[05:12]

• Event: On December 28, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka faces (maybe-retiring) Nick Kyrgios at the Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai.

• Historical Context:

  • Last held in 1992 (Connors vs. Navratilova).
  • The original “Battle of the Sexes” (1973): Billie Jean King def. Bobby Riggs.

• Match Rules for 2026:

  • Kyrgios—first serve only (limits his power);
  • Sabalenka’s court reduced by 9% (evens physical advantage).
  • Best of three sets; 10-point tiebreak if needed.

• Kyrgios’ Playful Trash Talk:

  “If I go down, this one might be the one that hangs up the rackets for good.”
  —Nick Kyrgios, on Piers Morgan Uncensored [06:43]

• Cultural Significance: Stirs debates around gender equality and sporting fairness.

Notable Quote & Memorable Moment

Aryna Sabalenka on Trans Athletes in Women’s Tennis

[07:24]

In a direct and nuanced response to interviewer Piers Morgan’s question about trans women competing in WTA events:

“I have nothing to do against them, but I feel like they still got huge advantage over the woman and I think it's just not fair to a woman to basically face like the biologically men… The woman been working the whole life to reach her limit and then she has to face a man which biologically [is] much stronger. So for me I don't agree with this kind of stuff in sport.”
—Aryna Sabalenka [07:24]

• Context: Opens important, sometimes contentious dialogue about gender, sport, and fairness.

Trivia Segment: Tiebreak Theme

[08:00]

• Question: How many people watched the 1973 Battle of the Sexes (King vs. Riggs)?

• Teaser:

  “Safe to say it was way more than who will watch this one?”
  —Producer Mike [08:05]

• Answer Location: Promises the answer will be in the Served newsletter—not revealed on air.

Structure and Tone

• Language/Tone: Smart, lightly irreverent, and community-oriented. Brings tennis news with a modern spin, blurring insider knowledge and fan excitement.
• Style: Punchy headlines, rapid transitions, sly humor, and direct athlete quotes anchor the episode.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• WTA x Mercedes Benz Sponsorship: [01:14–02:49]
• Jakob Mencik Withdraws / Justin Engel: [02:51–03:39]
• Ben Shelton Docuseries: [03:49–04:23]
• Venus Williams Met Gala Co-Chair: [04:44–05:12]
• Battle of the Sexes Announcement: [05:12–07:56]
• Sabalenka on Trans Athletes: [07:24]
• Tiebreak Trivia: [08:00–08:20]

Final Takeaways

Episode #5 of Served delivers a fast-paced, witty, and informative sweep of today’s tennis landscape—from industry-shaking sponsorships and Gen-Z media moves to hot-button issues at the intersection of sports and society. It’s essential listening for tennis fans who want news, context, and personality—all served up in 10 minutes flat.