Served with Andy Roddick

Episode: AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2026 DAY 7 RECAP: Sinner vs Spizzirri Analysis, Quarterfinal Redraw, & More

Date: January 24, 2026
Hosts: Andy Roddick (Host 1), Co-Host (Host 2), Guest Analyst

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the drama of Day 7 at the Australian Open 2026, with a primary focus on the extraordinary match between Jannik Sinner and Elliot Spizzirri. Andy Roddick, along with his co-host and analyst, unpacks the match’s turning point involving the heat policy, celebrates standout performances and moments from the tournament, and re-examines their pre-tournament quarterfinal picks in a special “Redraw” segment. The mood is informal, candid, and full of classic tennis-insider humor.

Key Discussion Points

1. Updates & Standout Storylines

Timestamps: [01:01] – [06:41]

• Roddick's Bracket Success
  • Andy brags (lightheartedly) about still having all his quarterfinal predictions alive heading into the round of 16.
  • Quote: “I have every quarter finalist that I chose still in the tournament in the round of 16.” [01:03]
• Naomi Osaka Withdraws
  • Due to an abdominal injury after a headline-heavy first week.
  • Osaka’s retirement is seen as bittersweet, but Roddick notes it's “life-changing” for Australia’s Maddison Inglis, a qualifier who now earns a major payday.
  • Quote: “She spent 13 hours and 24 minutes on court because she had to go through. Qualys…Will make $480,000 now that Osaka has pulled out. So it’s amazing.” [02:22]
• Other Highlights
  • Casper Ruud makes a sneaky fourth round after Roddick thought “he was going to have to get on a plane.” [03:23]
  • Taylor Fritz dismisses Wawrinka (“the stanimal”), ending the Swiss veteran's spirited run.

2. Best Moments: Stan Wawrinka's Memorable Post-Match

Timestamps: [04:14] – [05:06]

• Wawrinka Celebrates with a Beer On Court
  • In a classic, laidback moment, Stan Wawrinka shares a celebratory beer with the crew post-match.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “John, I saw you supporting us…I would like to share a beer with Craig. You mind?” – Stan Wawrinka [04:14]
  • Hosts and guests enjoy Wawrinka’s showmanship, with Roddick praising his relaxed, appreciative attitude as his career winds down.

3. Sinner vs Spizzirri Breakdown: Epic, Heat-Marred Battle

Timestamps: [06:41] – [16:17]

a. The Match and Its Turning Point

• Sinner, compromised by severe cramping in oppressive heat, was on the brink of defeat until the wet bulb heat rule invoked a roof closure and mid-match break.
  • Quote: “When Sinner was like walking and he couldn’t get out of it. Going back for an overhead….I think if they don't close the roof, that match is over.” – Roddick [07:26]
• Discussion of the officiating and ATP’s heat policy. Controversy over whether such interventions change the match’s fairness, with hosts agreeing that rules are rules.
  • “Like, I think Gil Gross had a good tweet about it…It's a rule that's in place, and they have to follow the rule.” [08:44]
• The panel is in awe of Spizzirri’s class and fighting spirit.
  • “That man is all class…I didn't know he had it like that. He played unbelievable.” [09:09]
  • “You don't want to let what happened with Yannick with cramping take away from the fact that [Spizzirri] was actually playing a great match.” [10:42]

b. Physical Extremes & Rule Impact

• Notable Quotes:
  • “It says here that at one point his first serve was like 69 miles an hour.” [08:13]
  • “I think that that rule, your wet bulb thing that we were making fun of, changed the dynamic of this entire tournament.” [08:30]
  • “If I'm Spizzirri, I would have lost my mind. By the way, that kid…that man is all class.” [09:09]

c. Tactics, Mental Side, and Sportsmanship

• Discussion about how the roof closure and the game's slowing tempo impacted Spizzirri’s flow, and how difficult it is mentally to “finish off” a compromised opponent.
• Praise for Spizzirri’s sportsmanship after a questionable time violation on Sinner:
  • “He walked up and he said I wasn’t ready. Take away the time violation. I’m going class.” [15:40]

d. Sinner’s Luck and Legacy

• “It is interesting. Like, something to think about... you can't take anything away from someone who just wins all the time... If he wins this tournament, it's like... he would tell you he's fortunate.” [11:28]

e. Extreme Heat Anecdotes

• Andy shares historical context: court temps hitting 150° F in the past, referencing Jim Courier’s ‘93 title run. [13:59 – 14:27]

f. Appreciating Spizzirri

• “I’m out and out, fan of his game, fan of the way he operates on court, like through the roof, respect, props, all the stuff.” [15:55]

4. Redraw Segment: Quarterfinal Bracket Review & Predictions

Timestamps: [17:48] – [23:49]

• Roddick and JW (Jon Wertheim’s) quarterfinal predictions are mostly intact, both sticking to their guns.
• Andy boasts: “I’m not going to change anything. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to say that again.” [19:45]
• Covers men’s and women’s brackets with some good-natured trash-talk, tech jokes at JW’s expense, and light-hearted commentary.
• JW’s Big Call: Predicts Medvedev to reach the final over Alcaraz—a pick Roddick gently mocks.
  • “He has Mehdi making the final over Carlos…If I remember correctly…He had a chance to change it. Now he’s doubling down. Part of me respects it. I…yeah, I kind of like it.” [22:09 – 22:24]
• Leaderboard check: both hosts are close to the top, but being outpaced by fantasy bracket leader “E Starfish” [22:35 – 22:43]
• Women’s bracket also covered, neither host changing their picks even if they’d tweak them with hindsight.
  • “All I want to do is have a chance of ripping off quarters on both sides. I’ll never have another chance.” [23:00]
• Guest Analyst details subtle shifts in Wertheim’s women’s picks, crediting adjustments made for better accuracy. [24:04 – 24:38]

5. Community & Podcast Plugs

Timestamps: [24:54] – [25:22]

• Encouragement to follow along with all brackets at serve.bracket.tennis.com and servedpodcast.com.
• Mention of friendly rivalry with fellow tennis podcasts and content creators, such as the Love All Pod and Ground Pass Podcast doc series.
  • “I’m happy when people invest the time in storytelling and tennis and then they get the payoff with both of these guys playing well.” [16:46]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Sinner’s Survival:
  • “He was cooked. And a lot of people are upset about the rule, and you're just like, listen…It could have been anybody out on that court.” – Host 2 [08:44]
• On Spizzirri’s Class:
  • “It was like head down, go to work. Like, I just like his whole vibe.” – Host 1 [15:01]
  • “Now going in knowing generally some things about him in college…fan of his game, fan of the way he operates on court, like through the roof, respect, props, all the stuff.” – Host 1 [15:55]

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamps | |---------------------------------------|-------------| | Tournament headlines & Osaka update | 01:01–03:23 | | Stan Wawrinka’s post-match moment | 04:14–05:06 | | Sinner vs Spizzirri analysis | 06:41–16:17 | | Redraw & bracket review | 17:48–23:49 | | Bracket leaderboard & community notes | 24:54–25:47 |

Summary Tone

The episode is relaxed, humorous, and full of tennis-insider candor. The hosts mix technical analysis with personal stories, friendly banter, and a clear appreciation for both sportsmanship and spectacle. Roddick’s personality shines through in his candid assessments and playful jabs at friends and rivals.

For New Listeners

This recap covers:

• The critical Sinner-Spizzirri match, where heat, cramping, and sportsmanship all played huge roles in an instant Australian Open classic.
• Updates and analysis on major upsets, withdrawals, and rising stars of the tournament—including heartfelt recognition of lesser-known players seizing a life-changing opportunity.
• An entertaining breakdown of mid-tournament bracket predictions, with the hosts transparently reviewing hits and misses.
• Lighthearted commentary about tennis podcasting friends, documentary recommendations, and a celebration of tennis community storytelling.

If you missed the episode, this summary brings you up to speed with the biggest insights, most memorable moments, and all the tennis culture you’d hope for from Andy Roddick and team.