Podcast Summary: Served with Andy Roddick — "The Rise of Victoria Mboko, Rotterdam Meltdowns & More | 5 Setter"

Date: February 13, 2026
Host: Andy Roddick (Producer Mike leads this episode's "5 Setter")
Guests: Jon Wertheim

Episode Overview

This action-packed "5 Setter" installment delivers a quick-hitting rundown of the week’s biggest racket sports stories—ranging from player meltdowns in Rotterdam to Victoria Mboko’s meteoric rise on the WTA Tour. The Served team takes listeners through five major topics in under ten minutes, punctuated by lively commentary, revealing insights, and memorable player quotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rotterdam Rants & Meltdowns

Timestamps: 00:20–02:11

• Alexander Bublik’s Rotterdam Struggles:

  • The episode kicks off with Bublik’s notorious bad luck in Rotterdam (a career 3–6 record, never past round two).
  • During his first-round match against Hubie Hurkacz, Bublik struggled to find rhythm and vented about Hurkacz’s “unrhythmic” play.
  • Notable Bublik Quote (00:55):
    "Ace, Ace, double, fore, shank. Shank. Ace. Shank. Double. What the [expletive] is that, David? Spontaneous. They tell me I'm breaking the rhythm. Are you kidding me?"
  • Despite Hurkacz’s powerful service stats (25 aces, 91% first-serve points won), he faltered at match point, serving three double faults.
  • Bublik’s snarky post-match comment (01:17):
    "Who told you that? Why is it not bad? This was only one match. Never change, bro."

• Daniil Medvedev’s Classic Outburst:

  • Medvedev objected to the balls during his Rotterdam match.
  • Iconic Medvedev Complaint (02:00):
    "These balls are horrible. Delete these balls from the line. They're horrendous."

2. The Wearables Tech Debate — Inside the ATP Boardroom

Timestamps: 02:11–04:17

• Jon Wertheim’s Board Meeting Scoop:
  • J.W. shares inside details from the late January ATP Board meeting.
  • While the merger with the WTA and Saudi scheduling were discussed, a key agenda was wearables.
  • Wearables Controversy: Players like Alcaraz and Sabalenka were forced to remove wearables at the Australian Open despite ATP approval, due to Grand Slam-specific data deals.
  • Wertheim notes:
    • Performance enhancement and gambling integrity weren't in question.
    • The root issue: conflicting commercial data rights between player wearables and Grand Slam data partners.
  • Wertheim’s Assessment (03:55):
    "Wearables have valuable data for player performance, but also for player health and safety. Keep an eye on this space because... wearables and their expansive use are now very much approved by the tours."

3. Padel’s ‘Star Point’ Controversy & Growing Pains

Timestamps: 04:17–05:22

• Premier Padel Tour’s New Rule:
  • Launching the 2026 season with a sudden death ‘Star Point’ system (max two deuces per game; third deuce triggers sudden death).
  • The Padel Players Association (PPA) was left out of decision-making.
  • Player Association’s Strong Words:
    • PPA secretary Jose Antonio Garcia d'Estro told the Spanish press (approx. 05:00):
      "There is no longer a relationship with Premier Padel..."
  • A significant rift has developed just as Padel is hitting its stride globally.

4. WTA Luck and Illness in Doha

Timestamps: 05:22–06:11

• Tournament Withdrawals:
  • Defending champion Amanda Anisimova and Emma Raducanu both retired due to illness.
• Coco Gauff’s Early Exit:
  • Fell to lucky loser Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
• Cocciaretto’s Run into the Quarterfinals:
  • Matches the best result by a lucky loser at a WTA 1000 since 2009 (tying Taylor Townsend’s Toronto run).
  • Her streak ended against Jelena Ostapenko.

5. The Rise of Victoria Mboko & a Record-Breaking WTA

Timestamps: 06:11–07:54

• Victoria Mboko’s Sensational Form:

  • Teenage phenom beat Mira Andreeva and Australian Open champ Elena Rybakina in a grinding three-set quarterfinal.
  • Noted for 'breaking Rybakina’s serve six times.'
  • Mboko’s 2025 breakthrough: two titles, including a WTA 1000 (Montréal).
  • Stat: Mboko now has 28 WTA main-draw wins, trailing only Swiatek and Rybakina in the last year.

• Maria Sakkari Snaps Losing Streak to Swiatek:

  • Ended a four-match skid with a three-set win in Doha, including redemption from last year’s loss at the same tournament.

• Iga Swiatek’s Consistency Milestone:

  • Now reached the quarterfinals in 61.9% of WTA 1000 events played—the highest since 2009.

• Tiebreak Trivia (07:35):

  • Which Hall-of-Famer, whom Iga Swiatek has never played, held the previous WTA 1000 quarters record?

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Alexander Bublik’s Deadpan: (00:55)
  "Ace, Ace, double, fore, shank. Shank. Ace. Shank. Double. What the [expletive] is that, David? Spontaneous. They tell me I'm breaking the rhythm. Are you kidding me?"

• Medvedev Goes Ballistic: (02:00)
  "These balls are horrible. Delete these balls from the line. They're horrendous."

• Jon Wertheim on Wearables: (03:55)
  "Wearables have valuable data for player performance, but also for player health and safety. ...wearables and their expansive use are now very much approved by the tours."

• Padel Players Association (PPA) Statement: (05:00, paraphrased)
  "There is no longer a relationship with Premier Padel..."

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Rotterdam Rants & Meltdowns: 00:20–02:11
• Wearables Tech & ATP Inside Story: 02:11–04:17
• Padel ‘Star Point’ Drama: 04:17–05:22
• WTA Doha – Lucky Losers & Illness: 05:22–06:11
• Victoria Mboko’s Rise/Swiatek Records: 06:11–07:54
• Tiebreak Trivia: 07:40

Final Thoughts & Extras

• Other headlines briefly teased:

  • Taylor Fritz clothing prank in Dallas
  • Fonseca possibly out for Golden Swing
  • Jannik Sinner’s friendship with Shaun White at the Olympics
  • Pickleball rivalry expands to Asia
  • Badminton coping with “bird poop and a potential boom”

• Call to Action:

  • Sign up for the 5 Setter newsletter for full stories and trivia answers.

The episode delivers its hallmark quick pace, playful ribbing, and serious insights, making it both entertaining and informative for tennis and racket sports enthusiasts alike.