Served with Andy Roddick

Episode: Andre Agassi & Yannick Noah join SERVED LIVE from the Laver Cup

Date: September 19, 2025 | Location: Chase Center, San Francisco
Guests: Andre Agassi (Team World Captain), Yannick Noah (Team Europe Captain)
Hosts: Andy Roddick, JW Jump, Producer Mike

Episode Overview

This special LIVE episode of Served with Andy Roddick brings together tennis legends Andre Agassi and Yannick Noah as the newly minted captains for Team World and Team Europe at the Laver Cup in San Francisco. The episode unfolds in front of an energized crowd, with in-depth discussions of team strategies, the unique Laver Cup format, captaincy philosophies, and the storied histories of the guests. There is friendly banter, plenty of self-deprecating humor, and engaging perspectives on how tennis is evolving—and how the Laver Cup is shaping the sport's future.

Main Themes & Insights

• The Laver Cup’s Magic: The episode opens with reflections on why the Laver Cup has become such a beloved event, contrasting it with Davis Cup and explaining its unique appeal (03:00–05:39).
• Team Previews & Format: The hosts break down the Team World and Team Europe rosters, discuss lineup strategies, and explain the intricacies of the match format (03:00–05:38).
• Philosophies of Leadership: Agassi and Noah explore their personal approaches to captaincy, player management, and cultural dynamics within their teams.
• What It Means to Compete for ‘More than Yourself’: Both captains share powerful reflections on motivation, legacy, and the team aspect of tennis.
• Contrasts in Coaching Style: The show underscores the differences between Agassi’s analytical, energetic approach and Noah’s patient, listening-first style.
• Life Beyond Tennis: Yannick Noah delves into his transition from player to captain, to celebrated musician, and back again.

Key Segments & Notable Moments

1. The Laver Cup in San Francisco: A City with Deep Tennis Roots

Timestamps: 01:54–03:00

• Andy Roddick: Expresses initial skepticism about the Laver Cup, admitting he was “a bit of a Davis Cup homer,” but was won over by the “proactive” and fan-first approach (01:01).
• JW Jump: Shares the Bay Area's rich tennis history, referencing the Transamerica event, McEnroe, Borg, and how Venus Williams played her first professional match in Oakland (02:13).

2. Deep Dive: Team World & Team Europe Rosters and Strategy

Timestamps: 03:00–05:39

• Team World: Discussion of dark horse Joao Fonseca ("the way the ball comes off his racket is just something pretty special" – Roddick, 03:24), the inspiring comeback story of alternate Jensen Brooksby, etc.
• Team Europe: Mentions of Caboli’s Wimbledon quarterfinal run, Zverev’s consistency, and the tactical intrigue around doubles lineups.
• Special Note: Previewing the unique rules and match format; points increase each day, doubles and singles selection is “blind” for the first day (08:09–08:17).

3. Andre Agassi on Adapting to Captaincy

Timestamps: 05:39–17:51

Insights on Coaching Young Talent

• Agassi:
  • “With that being said, yeah, I want to be on that court, on the practice court...that to me is the best part.” (06:10)
  • Focuses on balancing “real time” tactical adjustments with a “North Star” for players' long-term growth (06:32).
  • On coaching Mickelson: “You don’t have to actually win the point. Somebody else can lose it. Right?” (06:32)

Lineups & Matchups Revealed

• Agassi reveals Day 1 matchups live, showing candor and tactical thinking.
  • "We got Opelka vs. Casper Rude in the first match... Mensik vs. Mickelson... Joao Fonseca vs. Kaboli... And then Taylor and Mickelson in doubles against Alcaraz and Mensik." (08:18–10:13)
  • “Every time you see Alcaraz's name on the draw or next to your...it just kind of makes everything in your body tense up a little bit.” (10:13)

Psychological Dynamics in Team World

• Agassi:
  • "If you talk to the Americans, everyone can win every match...I worked straight out of insecurity." (12:21)
  • Highlights the quick, compressed format: "You could play 14 great minutes and win a match." (12:27)
  • "This is a great format. They've really done a great job with it." (13:20)

On Coaching Approach & Preparation

• The importance of engaging with players’ coaches beforehand and tailoring his message (15:55–16:54):
  • “It’s impossible in this sport to parachute into somebody’s life and think you’re going to make a difference.”
  • “It really does depend on the player and you’re not going to discover that in a day.”

Banter & Bench Presence

• Agassi admits the sideline exchanges are “totally real time. I mean, this shit is real. The only thing I worry about is saying stuff like that, like swearing on accident...” (17:17)
• “Sometimes, you know, it’s an efficient form of communication, right?” (17:18)

Memorable quote:
“I just want to make sure each one can have their latitude to be the best of themselves and we’ll have a great weekend.”
— Andre Agassi (15:32)

4. Reflections on Laver Cup as a Tennis Institution

Timestamps: 18:20–21:11

• Discussion of the legacy of Rod Laver, Roger Federer’s vision, bringing legends like Borg and McEnroe into the fold.
• JW Jump: Emphasizes the “lineage” of the event: “From Rod Laver...to Brazilian teenagers. The lineage of tennis as it plays out is one of the real beauties here.” (18:49)

5. Yannick Noah on Listening, Legacy, and Team Spirit

Timestamps: 21:11–32:50

Approach to Captaincy

• Noah:
  • “It’s about trying to listen to who they are first.” (22:58)
  • “It depends on the player, and sometimes the timing...not only the timing, it’s like the tone. The tone is very important also.” (24:24)
  • “The communication is very important at that moment.” (24:50)

Playing for a Cause Greater than Self

• Noah:
  • “We always play for someone. Always. You don’t play for yourself...You always play for someone.” (25:37)
  • Shares personal anecdotes about his motivations evolving: “When I was 17, 18, I was playing to get some more...cheeks.” (26:06) (joking about youthful motivation)

Team Europe’s Cultural Richness

• Captaincy means blending personalities and national backgrounds:
  • “You have South American, you have Australia...different ages and different stages of career...a ragtag team of just true professionals who are giving and buying in.” (14:47, Agassi, echoing the theme)

On Being Approached as Captain & Musician

• Noah:
  • “I’m so full of gratitude...I was in Cameroon...and then the phone worked, and it’s like Steve and Roger calling me, saying, would you be the captain?...I can’t even believe I’m here, really.” (27:04–28:11)
  • Opens up about balancing tennis and music: “Singing is my therapy, and I love it...I’m not such a great singer, but when I sing, I mean what I say, and people have a tendency to believe what I say.” (30:15)

Quotable moment:
“You always play for someone...The motivation changes...it’s always a good feeling to know that you're winning and you’re playing for someone.”
— Yannick Noah (25:37)

Coaching Approach: Listening Over Dictating

• “It’s easier for me to coach somebody that I know.” (31:45)
• On Alcaraz’s form (playful): “He’s playing so bad. So whatever I’m gonna say is gonna help him, you know, at that point.” (32:34)

Departure

• Noah (joking): "And he talked too much, though. He talks too much." (32:50)

6. Contrasts & Predictions: Agassi vs. Noah as Captains

Timestamps: 33:06–36:38

• Hosts and panellists compare the divergent leadership styles:
  • “One’s patience and one’s like blunt force trauma...I’m interested as a fan. I want to see them interact with their players, see how they kind of use their tools...” (34:01)
• Emphasis on Noah’s deep team-coaching experience, including Paralympics and Billie Jean King Cup, contrasted with Agassi’s analytical, one-on-one style.

7. Setting the Stage: Chess Match of Captains

Timestamps: 36:38–37:37

• Recap of the tactical adjustments ahead, importance of the playing surface, the “accelerator” scoring, every player needing to play at least one match.
• Roddick notes that the “chess match has now begun...now they’re going to start adjusting.” (36:26)

8. The Laver Cup as Tennis (Re)Imagined

Timestamps: 37:37–38:57

• Andy reflects on his initial skepticism and eventual conversion to being a Laver Cup believer, highlighting the event as “the perfect balance between you’re playing for something bigger than yourself...but also it doesn’t necessarily have the steadfast tradition of Davis [Cup].” (37:37)
• “They built this backwards from the best viewing experience possible.” (37:37)

Tone & Style

The conversation is casual, witty, full of insider tennis banter, but also emotionally rich—with both captains offering vulnerability and humor. Roddick’s style is blunt and self-deprecating. Agassi is reflective and energetic. Noah is philosophical and warm, infusing his answers with stories about family, legacy, and music.

Standout Quotes & Timestamps

• Agassi on coaching:
  “You don’t have to actually win the point. Somebody else can lose it. Right?” – Andre Agassi (06:32)

• Roddick on Agassi’s leadership:
  “If he tells you one good thing about himself, he’s going to tell you three things that he’s gotten wrong, which I think is a superpower sometimes.” (19:08)

• Noah on playing for others:
  “I never played for myself, and I don’t think Andy ever played for himself. You always play for someone.” – Yannick Noah (25:37)

• Noah on music and tennis:
  “Singing is my therapy, and I love it...I’m not such a great singer, but when I sing, I mean what I say, and people have a tendency to believe what I say.” (30:15)

• Agassi on adapting to each player:
  “It’s impossible in this sport to parachute into somebody’s life and think you’re going to make a difference.” (15:55)

• Noah on being invited as captain:
  “I can’t even believe I’m here, really, because I was in Cameroon...and then for some reason, the phone worked, and it’s like Steve and Roger calling me, saying, would you be the captain?” (28:11)

For the Curious Listener

• Want to understand the new team tennis chess match? The captains’ explanations of format and strategy make this must-listen for Laver Cup fans.
• Interested in how tennis legends think? Both Agassi and Noah reveal the psychology and process behind their on-and-off court success.
• Enjoy stories and banter? There’s humor, humility, and warmth throughout, from young player mishaps to Noah’s tales of music and culture.

Recommendation

Whether you’re a tennis-lifer or a Laver Cup newcomer, this episode is a rare window into how two of the game’s most charismatic champions approach leadership and legacy during a transformative moment in tennis.

For complete context, review timestamps around 06:10–17:51 for Agassi’s segment and 21:11–32:50 for Noah’s, where each captain is most forthcoming and reflective.