Served with Andy Roddick
Episode: Carlos’ Kangaroo Tattoo & Venus in Austin | 5 Setter
Date: February 6, 2026
Host: Producer Mike (with frequent mentions of Andy Roddick)
Episode Overview
This “5 Setter” edition delivers a rapid-fire roundup of the week’s biggest racket sports stories, mixing breaking news, quirky moments, and Olympic intrigue in just under 10 minutes. Producer Mike guides listeners through pivotal narratives, from Carlos Alcaraz’s tattoo tradition to Venus Williams’ wildcard in Austin, controversial courtside antics, and the evolution of global racket sports like padel and squash.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Alcaraz's Kangaroo Tattoo Tradition
[00:38] – [02:01]
- Carlos Alcaraz, fresh off his Australian Open win, confirms he’ll keep up his tradition of getting tattoos for each Grand Slam won.
- After a Wimbledon strawberry, Parisian Eiffel Tower, and US Open Statue of Liberty, Alcaraz promises, “The next being, of course, a kangaroo.”
- Tattoo location & family views:
- Alcaraz soothes parental concern, joking, “I am not going to get one on my face or in the middle of my thigh or anything like that… That’s why they don’t raise any red flags. It's under control.” — Carlos Alcaraz via Marca (01:20)
- Fan Engagement: Mike invites fans to submit kangaroo tattoo sketches for Andy and him to judge, with a possible prize up for grabs.
2. Player Withdrawals and U.S. Tennis Spotlight
[02:02] – [02:42]
- Alcaraz withdraws from Rotterdam to recover post-Australian Open, mirroring a broader trend of top players taking time off, including Alexander Zverev, Aryna Sabalenka, and Jessica Pegula.
- Dallas Open:
- Kicks off with a strong American lineup: Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul, and others.
- Behind-the-scenes bonus:
- Special episode with Dallas Open director Peter Lebedev diving into tournament logistics (available on YouTube and podcast feed).
3. Venus Williams’ Return at the ATX Open
[02:43] – [03:42]
- ATX Open (Austin, Feb 21–Mar 1):
- 45-year-old Venus Williams secures wildcards for singles and doubles.
- Joins rising American Iva Jovic, who just broke into the WTA top 20 at 18, youngest US woman to make the Australian Open quarterfinals since… Venus herself in 1998.
- Mike quips, “I’m no mathematician, but that's like nine years before Eva was even born. Wow.” (03:30)
4. ‘Phonegate’: Hugo Humbert’s In-Match Phone Check
[03:43] – [04:30]
- Hugo Humbert (World No. 38) interrupts a decisive tiebreak—while leading 4–3—to check his phone at his bag; loses the next points, match, and sparks social media frenzy.
- Contextual banter:
- France is considering social media bans for under-15s; Mike jokes, “Maybe they should add players ranked 38th or higher to the potential law.” (04:15)
- Aftermath:
- Match slips away, “the optics are brutal,” and internet remains ablaze with speculation.
5. Premier Padel Tour: A Global Racket Sport on the Rise
[04:31] – [05:36]
- Premier Padel Tour launches its 5th season (starting in Riyadh on Feb 9), featuring a structure akin to tennis:
- 4 “Majors” (Grand Slam equivalent) and “P1” events (like Tennis Masters 1000).
- Over 20 tournaments in 15 countries.
- Olympic ambitions: Mike predicts padel “potentially making a push” for future Olympic inclusion, adding, “I’m going to say yes because it’s fun as hell to watch.” (05:20)
- Miami P1 slated for March 23–29, during Miami Open.
6. Squash Makes the LA28 Olympic Cut
[05:37] – [06:24]
- New Olympic format announced: Squash debuts at LA28, with a “hyper-exclusive” 16-player men’s and women’s draws, played in a glass court at Universal Studios.
- World Squash President Zenna Wooldridge:
- “For many, the Olympic dream will feel one step closer today.” (05:55)
- Significance: Joins tennis, table tennis, and badminton as Olympic racket sports.
7. Tie Break Trivia
[06:25] – [06:52]
- Trivia teases: “Which Olympic gold medalist in singles became a seriously competitive squash player after retiring from tennis?”
- Listeners prompted to check the “5setter newsletter” for the answer.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- Alcaraz’s Reassurance about Tattoos (01:20):
- “I am not going to get one on my face or in the middle of my thigh or anything like that. And they're relatively small tattoos, medium sized... It’s under control.” — Carlos Alcaraz, via Marca
- Venus/Jovic Milestone (03:30):
- “Jovic became the youngest American woman to reach the Australian Open quarterfinal since, well, Venus Williams did in 1998. I’m no mathematician, but that's like nine years before Eva was even born. Wow.” — Producer Mike
- On ‘Phonegate’ (04:15):
- “Maybe they should add players ranked 38th or higher to the potential law.” — Producer Mike
- On Padel’s Olympic Prospects (05:20):
- “Will we see Padel…in the upcoming Olympic Games? I’m going to say yes because it’s fun as hell to watch.” — Producer Mike
- Squash’s Olympic Dream (05:55):
- “For many, the Olympic dream will feel one step closer today.” — Zenna Wooldridge, World Squash President
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:38: Alcaraz’s Kangaroo Tattoo, family concerns, fan challenge
- 02:02: Tournament withdrawals, Dallas Open preview
- 02:43: Venus Williams’ ATX Open wildcard; Jovic’s rise
- 03:43: Hugo Humbert’s on-court phone check (“Phonegate”)
- 04:31: Premier Padel’s global season & Olympic talk
- 05:37: Squash gains LA28 Olympic spot, glass court at Universal Studios
- 06:25: Tie break trivia & newsletter plug
Episode Tone & Style
Playful, fast-paced, and insider-friendly—Mike blends witty one-liners with keen tennis acumen, delivering both hard news and lighter moments with relatable enthusiasm.
For Further Exploration
- Watch the full Dallas Open director interview (“Q and Andy”) on YouTube
- Submit kangaroo tattoo art for a chance at winning Served merch
- Sign up for the “5setter” newsletter for trivia answers and in-depth news
- Follow Served with Andy Roddick on major social platforms
This episode of “Served” offers the essential, the offbeat, and the up-and-coming from across the racket sports world—all in a brisk, informative burst that’s both tennis-geek gold and accessible to newcomers.