Served with Andy Roddick – 5 Setter: Sinner Skips Davis Cup, Ronaldo Invests in Tennis, & Saudi Masters 1000 Announced

Date: October 24, 2025
Hosts: Andy Roddick, Jon Wertheim, Producer Mike (with direct Andy & Jon input via earlier conversation)

Episode Overview

This 5 Setter episode covers the five biggest stories in racket sports from the week of October 24, 2025. Producer Mike hosts, with commentary, press quotes, and analysis from Andy Roddick and Jon Wertheim. Main topics include the announcement of a Saudi Masters 1000 tournament, Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal from the Davis Cup, Novak Djokovic’s scheduling decisions, Ronaldo’s investment in tennis development, and a remarkable win streak in pro pickleball by Anna Leigh Waters.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Saudi Masters 1000 Tournament Announced

• [00:54–03:28]
• The ATP Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund announced the addition of a 10th Masters 1000 event, the first new 1000-level tournament in 35 years.
• The event could debut as early as 2028, likely in February after the Australian Open.
• Official ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi’s statement:
  "This is a proud moment for us and the result of a journey that has been years in the making. Saudi Arabia has shown a genuine commitment to tennis, not just at the professional level, but also in growing the game more broadly at all levels... Fans and players alike will be amazed by what's coming."
• Andy Roddick & Jon Wertheim, from a recent “Quick Served” segment, discuss the impact on players and tour economics:
  • The event is projected as non-mandatory:
    Andy: "If it's non-mandatory, that means that you do not have to play it contractually to be a part of the ATP Tour. That means appearance fees. These appearance fees are going to be massive, and the players have a lot of leverage right now... There's no chance that Saudi is gonna want to have this Masters 1000 and then not have Sinner and Alcaraz show up." [02:32]
  • Players may command high appearance fees due to the leverage of a non-mandatory event.
  • Producer Mike on the situation:
    Mike: "This is cool... We're gonna just create a new set of rules." [03:25]
• Notable: The schedule and non-mandatory status could reshape the Masters 1000 landscape, drawing both support and skepticism.

2. Davis Cup Drama - Sinner Skips, Spain Snubs Davidovich Fokina

• [03:28–05:40]
• The Italian team will be without Jannik Sinner, the four-time major champ, for the finals despite being defending champions and hosts in Bologna.
  • Sinner’s official comment:
    "It wasn't an easy decision, but after Turin, the goal is to start off on the right foot in Australia. It doesn't seem like it, but a week of preparation in that period can make a difference."
• Reaction in Italy is intense, with major newspaper headlines ("Sinner, think it over again") and Italian legend Nicola Pietrangeli calling it "a big slap in the face of Italian sports world".
• Spain also stirs controversy:
  • Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (World No. 18) not selected for Davis Cup finals in favor of lower-ranked players.
  • His public reaction:
    "I think I deserve to be among the four best players in my country. With all due respect to my teammates... Now my goal is to focus on the rest of the season and prepare myself to reach the highest level next year."
• Notable: The drama sets up a tense atmosphere for the Davis Cup Finals, beginning November 18th in Bologna.

3. Novak Djokovic Withdraws from Paris Masters

• [05:40–06:41]
• Djokovic pulls out of the Rolex Paris Masters after a landmark year: 38 years old, semifinals at all majors, 100th career title in Geneva.
• Official statement on social media:
  "Dear Paris, unfortunately I’ll not compete in this year's Rolex Paris Masters. I have amazing memories and great success over the years, especially being able to conquer the title seven times. Hope to see you next year. Merci."
• Djokovic is already qualified for the ATP Finals for a record 18th time but remains non-committal about other late-year events:
  "The only tournament I know I'm going to play is the one in Athens. And then let's see if I play Turin or not. I'm not sure yet."
• Notable: Novak’s scheduling has ramifications for tournament star power and ATP year-end races.

4. Football Great Ronaldo Invests in Brazilian Tennis

• [06:41–07:54]
• Ronaldo (the soccer legend, not Cristiano) pivots from football, sells his Brazilian and Spanish club stakes, and sets sights on growing tennis at home.
• Motivated by the breakout of 19-year-old João Fonseca (top 50 debut, all four Slam main draws) and a desire to "democratize" tennis in Brazil.
• Ronaldo’s quote to UOL:
  "Let's capitalize on João Fonseca's hype. He's given Brazilians hope in tennis. We grew up watching Gustavo Kuerten, and it’s a sport that's always been elitist. So we want to popularize it and bring it to communities and make it a more democratic sport."
• First phase: Building 100 tennis courts and 100 padel courts by the end of 2026, part of a long-term national commitment.
• Notable: Ronaldo’s cross-sport investment could turbocharge tennis in football-obsessed Brazil.

5. Anna Leigh Waters’ Record-Breaking Pickleball Streak

• [07:54–08:54]
• 18-year-old Anna Leigh Waters has amassed a 79-match pro singles win streak—unbeaten in over 500 days.
• She is No. 1 in singles, doubles, and mixed; over 150 pro titles by age 18.
• Fun comparison: Tennis Hall of Famer with a 74-match singles streak in just 289 days (teased as tie-break trivia).
• Notable: Waters’ dominance is drawing new attention to pickleball and sparking “GOAT” streak comparisons with tennis legends.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Andy Roddick, on Saudi Masters 1000:
  "These appearance fees are going to be massive ... there's no chance that Saudi is gonna want to have this Masters 1000 and then not have Sinner and Alcaraz show up." [02:32]

• Jannik Sinner, on skipping Davis Cup:
  "It wasn't an easy decision, but after Turin, the goal is to start off on the right foot in Australia." [04:08]

• Nicola Pietrangeli, via Italian press:
  "A big slap in the face of Italian sports world." [04:25]

• Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, on controversial Spain omission:
  "I think I deserve to be among the four best players in my country..." [05:18]

• Djokovic, on withdrawing from Paris Masters:
  "Hope to see you next year. Merci." [06:12]

• Ronaldo, on democratizing tennis:
  "We want to popularize it and bring it to communities and make it a more democratic sport." [07:28]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Saudi Masters 1000 Announcement: 00:54 – 03:28
• Davis Cup Drama: 03:28 – 05:40
• Djokovic Withdraws from Paris: 05:40 – 06:41
• Ronaldo Invests in Tennis: 06:41 – 07:54
• Anna Leigh Waters' Pickleball Record: 07:54 – 08:54

Tone & Style Summary

The episode maintains Served’s signature blend of concise, witty analysis with behind-the-scenes context, leveraging Andy Roddick’s insights and the journalistic sharpness of Jon Wertheim. Quotable moments and commiseration over tennis politics are balanced with genuine excitement over emerging talent and major shifts in the sport.

For Further Coverage

• More in-depth discussions linked in the show notes and newsletter.
• Tie-break trivia answer and bonus stories available in the Served 5 Setter newsletter.