Sinner Skips Davis Cup, Ronaldo Invests in Tennis, & Saudi Masters 1000 Announced | 5 Setter

Summary

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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]

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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

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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.

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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.

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Transcript

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[Producer Mike]

@T mobile.com switch what's up Chuckers? Producer Mike here. This is your Served 5 Setter, a weekly roundup of all things racket sports. Five stories in ten minutes or less. Today is October 24th and here are your stories. Some Davis cup drama, Novak's decision, a soccer star's big investment in tennis and an insane win streak continues. But first, some big news from the ATP Tour. For the first time in 35 years, the ATP Tour is adding a Masters 1000 event. In an announcement on Thursday, the ATP and a branch of the Saudi's Public Investment Fund released revealed the launch of a 10th Masters. ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi had this quote in a press release. 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. PIF's ambition for the sport is clear and we believe fans and players alike will be amazed by what's coming. While the official statement says the event could debut as early as 2028, Gaudenzi didn't confirm a specific year or exact spot on the calendar. According to the Associated Press. The chairman told reporters that he'd like for the 56 player week long tournament to occur in February after the Australian Open. This move continues Saudi Arabia's deepening involvement in pro tennis. Andy John and I talked about this topic at great length. In a breaking news Quick served And this is what Andy had to say.

[Andy John]

If it's non mandatory, that means that you do not have to play it contractually to be a part of the ATB Tour. Okay? That means appearance fees. These appearance fees are going to be massive and the players have a lot of leverage right now because there's no chance that Saudi is gonna want to have this masters 1000 and then not have center and Alcaraz show up and then not have, you know, whoever else show up. Right? They're gonna want that trip from Australia. I've I was texting with an agent friend of ours who has been on the show before. He says absolutely open season on, on appearance fees for, for this tournament non mandatory to me. They're celebrating that as like oh listen, we're, you know, we're, we're coachable.

[Producer Mike]

This is cool.

[Andy John]

We're gonna just create a new set of rules.

[Producer Mike]

To see the full conversation, click the link in the show description or head to the Served 5 Setter newsletter where we will have it all there on to set number two and the drama surrounding next month's Davis cup finals. The team rosters for the final eight countries are out, but one big name from the host country is missing. You guessed it, Jannik Sinner. The four time major champ won't suit up for Italy as they chase a third straight Davis cup title, explaining quote 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. As you can imagine, the reaction back home is divided. The front page headline in Tuesday's Gazetta dello Sport translated to Sinner. Think it over again. Two time French Open winner Nicola Pietron Jelly called the decision, quote, a big slap in the face of Italian sports world not to be left out of the drama, Spain's Davis cup roster has stirred up its own controversy. World number one Carlos Alcaraz will be leading the team, but Spain's number two, Alejandro Davidovich Faquina will was left off the squad. The team will instead feature Jamu Munar, Pedro Martinez and Marcel Granuliers, who are all ranked lower than Davidovich. Faquina, the world number 18, wasn't shy in sharing his disappointment, telling a news outlet, quote, I think I deserve to be among the four best players in my country. With all due respect to my teammates who as I said, are also great players. Now my goal is to focus on the rest of the season and prepare myself to reach the Highest level next year. The quarterfinal round begins in Bologna, Italy on November 18th. And on to said number three. With major news out of France, Novak Djokovic is pulling out of the Rolex Paris Masters. The multi time winner of the Masters 1000 event announced his withdrawal on social media saying quote, dear Paris, fortunately 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 and seven times. Hope to see you next year. Merci. Djokovic's decision comes after an incredible season for the 38 year old semifinals at all four majors, his 100th career title in Geneva and a deep run in Shanghai. So what's next for Novak? He's already qualified for the ATP Finals for a record 18th time. But as he told reporters recently after Shanghai, the only tournament I know I'm going to play is is the one in Athens. And then let's see if I play Turin or not. I'm not sure yet. I'm sure I can speak for everyone when I say we hope to see him on court in turn. All right, and on to set number four, where we are seeing a crossover between tennis and soccer. Brazilian football legend Ronaldo is turning his attention from the pitch to the court. The two time FIFA World cup champion says the intense pressure of soccer has led him to sell his ownership stakes and in two international clubs and focus on growing tennis in Brazil. The sudden interest comes down to one named Joao Fonseca. Ronaldo told the Brazilian news outlet uol. Quote, let's capitalize on Joao Fonseca's hype. He's given Brazilians hope in tennis. We grew up watching Gustavo Quertin win everything 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. 19 year old Fonseca broke into the top 50 for the first time this year and appeared in the main draw at all four Slams, giving the passionate Brazilian fans something to cheer about now and for the future. Ronaldo wants to capitalize on that support and invest heavily in racket sports over the next few years. The first plan building 100 tennis courts and 100 paddle courts in Brazil by the end of 2026. This is just one phase of what appears to be a multi year commitment by Ronaldo to racket sports. Now let's close out this week with something a little different. Pickleball news. But before you roll your eyes, check this out. 18 year old pro pickleballer Anna Lee Waters hasn't lost a pro singles match in over 500 days. At the time of this recording, she's riding a 79 match win streak. She's currently world number one in singles, doubles and mix with over 150 pro titles across all three. Yes, she's only 18. Seriously, what an insane run. Major props to the teenage phenom Annalee Waters. A little fact for you. A Hall of Famer once racked up a similar win streak in pro tennis, winning 74 consecutive matches, but managed to do it in nearly half the time. Just 289 days. Wondering who? Well, that brings us to our tie break trivia question. And this week's question is who holds the record for the longest professional singles match win streak in tennis history? Want the answer without the hassle of searching? Well, guess what? We did it for you. Just sign up for our five setter newsletter link in the show description and we will share the answer to the tiebreak trivia as well as the rest of the top stories from the week that did not make the cut. Plus, you can find the weekend draw where we tell you what to watch, where and when. Be sure to hit subscribe on YouTube and follow us on your favorite podcast platform to stay up on all things served. We will see you chuckers on Tuesday. Later.

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