Served with Andy Roddick: "Building a Tennis Stadium in 10 Days & Why Andy’s Autograph Sucks" | Q&Andy (February 5, 2026)
Episode Overview
In this lively and insightful episode of the "Served with Andy Roddick" podcast, Andy hosts a special Q&Andy session with veteran tournament director Peter Lebedevs. They delve into the enormous logistical feat of building a professional tennis stadium in just 10 days for the Dallas Open, the behind-the-scenes chaos and excitement, and how tournament directors assemble world-class player fields. Listener questions spark discussions on wild card choices, the rise in tennis's mainstream appeal, signature quirks, and the evolving entertainment value of tournaments. The tone is witty, candid, and smart, making it accessible and fun for tennis diehards and casual fans alike.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
[00:35] Building Dallas Open in 10 Days: Logistics & Chaos
- Peter Lebedevs describes the frenzied pace of setting up the Dallas Open:
- Entire stadium built on a football field in just 10 days.
- Crews work 24/7 in two 12-hour shifts.
- Weather in Dallas has often been unpredictable; snow and ice have threatened timelines.
- Delays happen frequently (e.g., this year, late paint delivery; previous years, courts shipped from Houston got stuck in snow).
- “My phone blows up. I run out of battery after half the day.” — Peter Lebedevs [02:09]
- Satisfaction vs. Stress: Despite the chaos, the payoff is worth it when the event is televised in 160 countries, making it “the greatest game there is.” [02:42]
- “Anything worth doing should feel that way at some point.” — Andy Roddick [03:04]
[03:09] Venue Evolutions: Memphis Club vs. Dallas Stadium
- Andy and Peter reminisce about Memphis’s tight-knit, quirky tennis club vibes with secret hallways and quirky odors versus the high-tech, spacious facilities at the Dallas Cowboys HQ.
- Dallas offers serious perks: plug-and-play media tech, huge training rooms, proximity between hotel and courts (a 4-minute walk from room to center court).
[05:15] Player Focus vs. Tournament Realities
- Andy admits that as a player, you rarely see the full scope of organization. You just expect things to work — and get irked when they don’t.
- Peter clarifies their role: “I want [players] to walk in here and not think about anything. If they can eat where the Cowboys eat, that's as nice as it gets… They’re F1 cars.” [05:57]
- The ultimate goal: remove all off-court obstacles so players can play their best.
[07:27] How Tournament Fields Are Built
- The selection and contracting of players is year-round and complex:
- Budget and priority rankings dictate outreach.
- Engaging both American stars and top international players is a challenge due to tax laws and scheduling.
- Final player commitments sometimes take until July or August.
- “Every player thinks they’re worth this… they’ll talk in the locker room.” — Peter Lebedevs [09:18]
- Agents’ negotiations vary — Peter prefers those who are straightforward and efficient.
[10:16] The All American Classic Exhibition
- Special event featuring Andy Roddick, John McEnroe, John Isner (local favorite), and Sam Querrey.
- Teams: McEnroe chooses Isner; Roddick pairs with Querrey.
- Bragging rights and fun trash talk expected.
- On McEnroe: Andy and Peter marvel at Mac’s post-50 fitness and effectiveness.
- “I don’t know that there’s ever been anyone who’s been as good post-50, 55 years old as Mac.” — Andy Roddick [12:02]
- “He makes the game look easy… his serve is just, it’s always been one of the huge things.” — Peter Lebedevs [12:52]
[15:21] Listener Q&A with Peter Lebedevs
How Much Are Casual Fans Catered To? [15:42]
- Entertainment is crucial: Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders, high school bands (“Friday night lights”), and a doubles collegiate challenge to bring in a wider crowd.
- “That’s probably the difference maker for us being successful or not… It’s those marginal fans. That’s probably almost half of our planning now.” — Peter [16:44]
Tennis' Mainstream Resurgence [17:11]
- The surge in tennis’s popularity has helped, especially when American players do well on the big stage.
- Having popular players from major tournaments in Dallas would be “through the roof.”
Wild Card Decisions: American vs. International [18:23]
- Tends to favor Americans when it’s a close call to support local growth, but star power and ticket sales matter.
- Example: Young Nick Kyrgios once got a Memphis wild card because he was a hot topic post-Aussie Open.
- “Characters sell tickets. Whether you like it or not.” — Peter [19:44]
- Andy contextualizes: All countries do this — local prospects get preference, but breakout global stars are exceptions.
Embarrassing Andy Roddick Stories? [21:06]
- Peter coached a 12-year-old Andy: “He was always number one.” No real embarrassing stories, but tells an epic tale of Andy playing (and nearly winning) a Memphis final while desperately ill.
- “He’s always answered the bell… can only say positives.” — Peter [23:06]
Listener Mailbag with Andy (Post-interview Q&A) [24:36]
“Why does your autograph suck?” - [Kathleen, 25:05]
- Andy: “It’s just scratch… I was born this way with this handwriting.” [26:07]
- Watching the Australian Open:
- Watches as much as possible, relies on highlights and statistics due to time zones. “There’s no such thing as too much tennis.”
“Should yellow clothes be banned?” [Steve, 27:41]
- Players in yellow (same as tennis ball) can make tracking the ball tough.
- “Yellow is the most annoying color… The reason you’ll never see a yellow backdrop on a tennis court is because you can’t track the ball.” — Andy [27:41]
“Alcaraz and the drop shot – as revolutionary as Steph Curry’s 3-pointer?” [Naraj Mehta, 28:52]
- Alcaraz’s drop shot threat now warps the game, but not quite as systemic as Steph’s three, since it appears less often.
- “It's that copycat effect… Like everyone, Sinner’s like, ‘I’m working on my drop shot’ because of Alcaraz.” — Andy [29:35]
- Contextualizes how Alcaraz changed perceptions, making the drop shot a legit strategical weapon.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On building the stadium:
“We build this entire Stadium in 10 days on a football field. We have guys working 24/7… I run out of battery after half the day.”
— Peter Lebedevs [01:07, 02:09] -
On stress vs. reward:
“You put it all together and you’re sitting up there on Sunday night after the final… That part is satisfying. The stress beforehand… I got more gray hairs than I used to, that’s for sure.”
— Peter [02:42] -
On McEnroe’s longevity:
“I don’t know that there’s ever been anyone who’s been as good post-50, 55 years old as Mac… He still has this gross 118 lefty serve that makes you look stupid sometimes.”
— Andy [12:02] -
On player comfort:
“Our goal is to make it as easy as we can for the players because they’re F1 cars… all they have to focus on getting out there and hitting the ball as good as they possibly can.”
— Peter [05:57] -
On wild cards and entertainment:
“Characters sell tickets, whether you like it or not… If it’s a tie, I’m definitely going to lean towards an American.”
— Peter [19:44] -
On his own autograph:
“It’s just scratch… I was born this way with this handwriting.”
— Andy [26:06] -
On the state of the sport:
“Tennis is on a huge upswing, which everybody was worried what happens after the top three. Guess what? There’s always somebody that steps up.”
— Peter [17:11]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:35 – Show opens, building the Dallas Open in 10 days
- 03:09 – Venue contrast: Memphis club vs. Dallas stadium
- 05:15 – Player vs. organizer perspectives
- 07:27 – Player recruitment and tournament field building
- 10:16 – All American Classic event breakdown
- 12:02 – The legend of John McEnroe’s ageless game
- 15:42 – How tournaments cater to casual fans
- 17:11 – Tennis’s mainstream surge
- 18:23 – Wild cards: marketability vs. nationality
- 21:06 – Andy’s junior days, Memphis final story
- 24:47 – Listener questions: AO watching, yellow shirts, Alcaraz’s drop shot
Episode Tone & Style
The episode is a perfect blend of behind-the-scenes tennis insights and good-natured banter, with Andy’s self-deprecating humor and sharp wit, Peter’s cheerful candidness, and Mike’s playful producer role. Stories unfold with authenticity and energy, making the world of tennis organization feel relatable and even chaotic — but always passionate.
Summary
This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the “sausage-making” of the pro tennis circuit, loaded with anecdotes, practical realities, and the kind of candid humor fans delight in. From how stadiums spring up overnight, to what really drives wild card decisions, to why Andy’s signature is “just scratch,” listeners come away with a deeper appreciation for the organizational magic that makes their favorite tournaments happen — plus a few laughs at the sport’s legends, quirks, and traditions along the way.