Served with Andy Roddick: 5 Setter – October 31, 2025

Episode Title: French Legend Retires, Tennis Beef Explodes, & Sinner Joins Elite $50M Club
Host: Producer Mike (for this episode's "5 Setter" roundup)
Guests: None (includes player quotes and press clips)
Release Date: October 31, 2025

Overview

This episode of SERVED 5 Setter is a fast-paced, ten-minute roundup covering the biggest news in international tennis during Halloween week. Producer Mike dives into five headline stories: a game-changing leadership transition at the WTA, French doubles legend Nicolas Mahut’s retirement, a milestone year for American men at the ATP Finals, on-court drama between Alexander Bublik and Corentin Moutet in Paris, and Jannik Sinner joining the exclusive $50 million prize money club. The tone is lively, irreverent, and tailored for die-hard tennis fans and casual followers alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Major Leadership Shift at the WTA [01:02]

• Valerie Camillo was named chair of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), effective November 17.
  • Impressive career: NBA, MLB’s Nationals, first female team president in NHL history.
  • She steps in during “a pivotal time in women’s tennis” amidst a PTPA lawsuit, scheduling concerns, and pressure to grow the sport commercially.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Valerie Camillo:

    “This is a critical moment for women's tennis with important decisions ahead that will shape the future for our players, tournaments, fans, and partners. I look forward to working with our world-class athletes, tournament members…and the wider tennis community to deliver a successful future for this incredible sport.” [01:26]

  • Billie Jean King immediately voiced support:

    “Valerie will bring a fresh perspective to the role...” [paraphrased by Producer Mike, 01:45]

2. Nicolas Mahut Retires: A French Tennis Legend Says Goodbye [01:46]

• Nicolas Mahut ended a 25-year pro tennis career with a final doubles match on home soil (Paris Masters), partnering with friend Grigor Dimitrov.
• Most famous for his “epic 11-hour Wimbledon match in 2010” versus John Isner.
  • Mahut has made peace with being associated with that marathon, emphasizing its growth value:
• Notable Quotes:
  • Nicolas Mahut:

    “I now enjoy talking about that match because it was a crazy experience. It brought me a lot as a player and as a man. But I can be associated with that match and I can talk about it easily because I know that after that I managed to win.” [02:25]

• Career achievements: Career Grand Slam in doubles, 2017 Davis Cup champion, 41 career titles. Honored by long-time partner Lacoste in Paris.

3. American Resurgence at the ATP Finals [03:16]

• Ben Shelton qualifies for his first-ever ATP Finals after defeating Andrey Rublev.
• Joins Taylor Fritz to mark the first time since 2006 that two Americans will compete in Turin.
  • Historical note: Andy Roddick and James Blake were the last U.S. duo to do this (per Producer Mike: “Our guy, Andy Roddick and James Blake, both qualified for the finals 19 years ago...” [03:45])
• Rest of the lineup: Alcaraz, Sinner, Djokovic, Zverev, De Minaur; one slot still open.

4. New Tennis Beef: Bublik vs. Moutet [04:27]

• Backstory: At the Phoenix Challenger in March, Alexander Bublik and Corentin Moutet’s post-match altercation nearly escalated into a physical fight.
  • Bublik on court:

    “Let’s go fight.” [04:47]

  • Moutet:

    “Exactly.” [04:51]

• Paris Masters: Frenchman Moutet was “super motivated to send Bublik packing” but Bublik won.
• Post-match tension continues:
• Notable Quotes:
  • Corentin Moutet (post-match):

    “Obviously he spoke too much before the match. You know, he spoke too much and I just have to punish him…on the lens signing.” [05:12]

  • On Bublik’s pre-match taunt:

    “Well, he said that he will do everything to send me home. So it’s nice that he lives in Paris and it’s not too far with a taxi.” [05:24]

  • Moutet clarified at the press conference:

    “Well, I now live in Dubai.” [05:30]

• Producer Mike encourages fans to vote on where this rivalry ranks in tennis history (“Hit the link in the bio for our poll…” [05:37]).

5. Jannik Sinner Joins the $50 Million Club [05:55]

• After winning the Vienna Open, Sinner has surpassed $50 million in career prize money.
• He is now the eighth tennis player (ATP or WTA) in history to reach this mark.
  • Joins: the “big three” (Djokovic, Nadal, Federer), Serena Williams, Andy Murray, Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev.
• Producer Mike’s tongue-in-cheek reference:
  • “If Jannik or Carlos want to chase down Novak for the top spot in career earnings, they’ll need to make another $140 million at least.” [06:42]

Tiebreak Trivia

• Question: In what year did Novak Djokovic set the single-season prize money record and how much did he make?
• Find the answer in the Served Five Setter newsletter. [07:12]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Nicolas Mahut on the Isner Match Legacy:

  “I now enjoy talking about that match because it was a crazy experience. It brought me a lot as a player and as a man.” [02:25]

• Bublik-Moutet Paris Beef:

  • Bublik: “Let’s go fight.” [04:47]
  • Moutet: “Exactly.” [04:51]
  • Moutet: “He said that he will do everything to send me home. So it’s nice that he lives in Paris and it’s not too far with a taxi.” [05:24]
  • Moutet (press conference): “Well, I now live in Dubai.” [05:30]

• Producer Mike riffing about tennis rivalries:

  “I love a good rivalry. So it got us thinking here at Served. Where would you chuckers rank this freshie in the halls of tennis Beef?” [05:35]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• WTA Chair News: [01:02–01:46]
• Mahut’s Retirement: [01:46–03:15]
• Ben Shelton & ATP Finals: [03:16–04:26]
• Bublik-Moutet Beef: [04:27–05:54]
• Sinner $50M Club & Trivia: [05:55–End]

Final Notes

• For more top stories and answers to the trivia, Producer Mike points listeners to sign up for the Five Setter newsletter.
• The episode’s playful energy, quick cuts, and tennis inside jokes make this an essential fall 2025 listen for fans, with a balance of tribute, news, rivalry drama, and milestones.

“Be sure to hit subscribe on your YouTube, follow us on your favorite podcast platform to stay up on all things served and be sure to be nice to me in the comments. See you Chuckers on Tuesday.” [End]