Served with Andy Roddick – Episode Summary

Episode: FAN Q&A: How Players Get Paid, Best Volleyers, & Friends w/ Dumb Questions
Date: September 30, 2025
Host: Andy Roddick (with producer Mike)
—

Overview

In this episode, Andy Roddick and producer Mike dive into a lively and wide-ranging fan Q&A, answering listener-submitted questions on tennis myths, money in pro tennis, stats, the art of volleying, and more. Through candid stories, playful banter, and deep-dive explanations, Andy brings listeners behind the scenes of the sport, blending technical insight with irreverent wit and real-life examples from his own career.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

[00:01–07:00] – Warm-Up, Family Anecdotes & Recent Tennis News

• Tony Godsick Episode Reschedule: The planned Federer/agent episode is postponed due to Andy’s charity event. Tony will return next week.
• Family & Music Stories: Andy and Mike gush about their kids’ budding music fandom, taking them to a Runarounds concert (“Our kids, bad parenting, we let them play hooky for the first, like, two hours of school today. We did it...” – Andy, 02:28).
• Snack Banter: Maria Sharapova sent them Cleo Bars, leading Andy and Mike into a running “snacky poo” joke.
• Alcaraz Ankle Scare: Brief concern over Carlos Alcaraz’s recent ankle twist is discussed; Andy explains how, for pros, repeated sprains can actually reduce injury impact.
  • “I got to the point where I had done it so many times that like everything was loose in there. So I would turn it more, but it wouldn’t be as bad...” (05:13)
• Post-Slam Tennis: Remarks on Daniil Medvedev’s renewed form post-Grand Slam and the “post slam apocalypse” time in the tennis calendar.

[07:19–15:39] – Q&A Pt. 1: Tennis as a “Country Club” / Soft Sport Stereotype

Fan Question from Dave (Minneapolis): Why does tennis have a reputation as a country club/soft sport?

Andy’s Take:

• Origins: The “country club” image comes from decades where American tennis was closely tied to clubs with high initiation fees and stereotyped attire.
  • “I think we’re like a caricature of like the 80s in wardrobe. Right. And also when people’s social tennis experience...comes with an initiation fee, you start playing into those tropes.” (09:30)
• Pro Tennis Reality: Top players don’t fit the stereotype—examples of pros from humble backgrounds (Venus & Serena from Compton, Novak from Serbia, Agassi’s family struggles).
• Physicality: Tennis is misunderstood; extreme heat, long matches, immense physicality.
  • “Yeah, okay. But you also don’t play five hours in 115 degree weather.” (11:45)
• Culture & Media Representation: Lack of gritty movies or documentaries focusing on the struggle in tennis compared to other sports:
  • “There’s iconic movies about baseball. And then when you look at tennis...there’s not a lot...that shows the grind.” – Mike (13:29)
• Cost/Accessibility: Tennis no longer more expensive than other junior sports; cost stereotypes are “outdated.”
  • “Don’t hit me with like, well, 1979. Great. I give you that...Our biggest champions of the last 30 years have completely flipped that on its head to the benefit of tennis.” (15:08)
• Humorous moment: Andy pokes fun at modern “softness” stereotypes—“all of our listeners are an angsty 10 year old after not enough sleep at a rock show.” (06:09)

[16:08–24:22] – Q&A Pt. 2: How Do Players Actually Get Paid?

Fan Question: What’s the process for tennis pros getting their prize money?

Andy’s (and Mike’s) Detailed Breakdown:

• Timing: Prize money is paid at the end of the tournament, not round-by-round.
  • “You do not get a check every day. You do not get—that would be a nightmare for tournaments...” (17:13)
• Methods: Used to be checks, now largely direct deposit. Also, agencies may receive the funds depending on representation.
• Amateur Exceptions: In the past, amateurs couldn’t accept prize money but could be reimbursed for expenses.
  • “So, when you turn pro...when you’re not pro means you can’t accept money...you used to be able to keep receipts and you could get reimbursed...” (17:26)
• Agency Structure: Agencies sometimes take a cut based on long-term investment in young players.
• Coaching/Team Payments: Individual contracts, often base salary plus incentives (e.g., percentage of prize money, bonuses for big results).
  • “My contracts for my coaches had a base and then they had incentives...” (20:38)
• Predictability & Life-Changing Money: Only top 100 or so players (those making Grand Slam main draws) have financial security.
  • “The goal is top 100...when you start getting into main draw of Slams then you can basically bank.” (23:05)
• Big Checks: The cheque presented on court is just ceremonial—“even the ones that are presented to the winner, they’re not real checks.” (19:15)
  • Notable exchange:
    Mike: “No big checks. I’m team big check.” (24:22)
    Andy: “So am I.” (24:28)

[25:47–37:42] – Q&A Pt. 3: Tennis Stats vs. Other Sports & Would Andy Write a Book?

Complex multi-part listener question—covering:

1. Why do non-fans equate tennis serve % to basketball free throw %?
2. Would Andy ever write a book?
3. Statistical oddities—like Pegula dominating on serve but losing.

Would Andy Write a Book?

• “I’m not Andre [Agassi]. I don’t have that story...It’s tough to have a greatest hits album when you have like four hits.” (27:37)
• Might consider a book of funny anecdotes or behind-the-scenes stories, but not a straight autobiography.

Tennis First Serve % vs. Free Throw %

• Dismisses the comparison entirely—explains the lack of nuance in the analogy.
  • “The question is based in such a lack of understanding and nuance that it’s hard to even make it real.” (30:01)
• Free throws are static, serve percentage in tennis is dynamic, changing every point with opponent, score, etc.
  • “A free throw, you step up and just shoot it...That is not the case with serving.” (32:21)
• Serve as Pitching Analogue: First serve percentage is more like baseball pitching—strategy shifts based on opponent.
  • “It’s more about pitching a ball game...Ohtani changes what you do.” (30:58)
• Notable quote: “It is brain dead to think that it’s the same as a free throw. It’s out, it’s brain dead. It affect, it affects every part of, of the game.” (34:31)

Statistical Oddities in Tennis

• Unique scoring means stats can be deceptive (e.g., Pegula loses barely any points on serve but still loses the set; game-based, not cumulative like other sports).
  • “It’s just a scoring system and it’s great in tennis because you can’t run out the clock.” (34:35)
• Style analysis: Some players (e.g., Sabalenka) win serve games easily but are aggressive on return, which leads to “streaky” results.
  • “Sabalenka, let her rip, tater chip. She goes big.” (35:16)

[38:23–48:10] – Q&A Pt. 4: The Greatest Volleyers in Tennis History

Fan Question (Andrew): Who are the greatest volleyers of all time?

Andy’s Top Picks & Analysis:

• Women: Martina Navratilova (the dominant GOAT answer), with high praise for Gigi Fernandez, Lisa Raymond, Jess Pegula, and others.
  • “You’re going to get Navratilova on the women’s side more often than not.” (39:31)
• Men: Deep list—John McEnroe for creativity and feel, Stefan Edberg for crispness, Pat Rafter for athleticism, Sampras (athleticism and net coverage), Leighton Hewitt, Federer (“Fed’s a joke. He’s good at everything.”), and others.
  • “If you look at the greatest volleyers, like McEnroe as far as creativity, artistry, feel...” (40:31)
• Aggressive Net Play & Movement: Emphasizes that top volleyers were also elite athletes.
  • “There are no slow guys who are great volleyers...singles, no.” (41:15)
• Modern Era: Carlos Alcaraz is a rising elite volleyer—may redefine the art for the next generation.
  • “Carlos is a, is an elite volleyer. Like, give him time. But he might enter this conversation...” (42:42)
• How New Styles Emerge: Describes “copycat league” effect—how novel strategy (e.g., Medvedev’s new positions, Alcaraz multi-phase attacks) force the whole field to adapt (44:36).
• Volleying as Art: “Great volleyers...it feels like the ball melts into their racket.” (45:37)
• Memorable quote: “Navratilova on the women’s side is the best I’ve ever seen. Just total package. Men’s side, it’s like you kind of have some more options.” (47:46)

[49:00–57:37] – Upcoming Episodes, Storytelling Season, and Tennis Philanthropy

• Next Guests: Tony Godsick (Federer’s agent) next week; recap of Rolex Masters; then Rick Draney (wheelchair tennis legend).
• Storytelling Season: Upcoming episodes will focus on behind-the-scenes stories (“how an agent acts,” “the politics in tennis,” “how schedules are built”), rather than just match recaps or interviews.
• Wheelchair Tennis: Pledge to bring in experts for a deep dive (“these athletes are so good...I want to get smarter about wheelchair tennis” – Andy, 50:50).
• Player Advocacy: Discusses rumors of top players writing letters to Grand Slams about increasing prize money percentages; Andy wants to get a letter-signer on to discuss.
  • “If you look at percentage of revenue that is put towards prize money, it’s nowhere close to other sports.” (54:01)
• Philanthropy Episode Announced: Plans for a special show highlighting charitable work in tennis, timed with the Andy Roddick Foundation Gala.
  • “I want to brag on tennis and how great the champions have been.” (55:34)
  • Shout-out to inspirations like Agassi, Billie Jean King, Venus & Serena, Federer, Nadal, and their charitable work.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “I think we’re like a caricature of like the 80s in wardrobe. Right. And also when people’s social tennis experience...comes with an initiation fee, you start playing into those tropes.” — Andy Roddick, [09:30]
• “At the highest level, [the ‘soft sport’ image] doesn’t really exist...Our biggest champions of the last 30 years have completely flipped that on its head to the benefit of tennis.” — Andy Roddick, [15:08]
• “You do not get a check every day...You get paid at the end of the tournament.” — Andy Roddick, [17:13]
• “It is brain dead to think that [first serve %] is the same as a free throw. It’s out, it’s brain dead.” — Andy Roddick, [34:31]
• “You’re going to get Navratilova on the women’s side more often than not...The best of all time.” — Andy Roddick, [39:31]
• “Fed’s a joke. He’s good at everything.” — Andy Roddick, [43:23]
• “Navratilova on the women’s side is the best I’ve ever seen. Just total package.” — Andy Roddick, [47:46]
• “I want to brag on tennis and how great the champions have been. We’re going to do a philanthropy episode also in our storytelling season.” — Andy Roddick, [55:34]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [09:30] – Origins of tennis “soft/country club” stereotype
• [17:10–19:58] – How prize money is actually distributed to pros
• [27:37–28:31] – Andy on the prospect of writing a book
• [29:06–34:31] – Debunking serve % = free throw % analogy
• [39:31–47:46] – In-depth discussion of greatest volleyers in tennis history
• [50:34–52:36] – Announcement & preview of upcoming storytelling episodes / wheelchair tennis spotlight
• [54:01–54:23] – Player letters & advocacy for more equitable prize money
• [55:33–56:38] – Tennis philanthropy & Roddick Foundation

Tone and Style

Andy’s trademark blend of technical wisdom, sharp humor, honest storytelling, and gratitude for tennis’s community shines throughout. Listeners are treated to candid asides, passionate tennis analysis, and gentle ribbing—making complex issues like prize money, athleticism, and on-court tactics accessible and engaging for fans and newcomers alike.

Summary

This Q&A episode is a masterclass in tennis real talk, debunking old myths, lifting the curtain on player finances, and exploring technical and historical intricacies of the sport—from the grind faced by pros to what makes a world-class volleyer. Andy’s personal stories and off-the-cuff wit, paired with producer Mike’s friendly curiosity, creates a show that is as insightful as it is entertaining, leaving fans feeling like insiders and promising even deeper dives for the “storytelling season” ahead.