Served with Andy Roddick – Episode Summary
Episode Title: Umpires, Etiquette, & The Future of the One-Handed Backhand | Q&Andy
Date: February 19, 2026
Host: Andy Roddick, with co-host and questions from Mike
Episode Overview
In this lively Q&A episode, Andy Roddick fields listener questions all about tennis umpires, on-court etiquette, and the ongoing evolution of the one-handed backhand. Andy’s humor, honesty, and behind-the-scenes candor shine as he shares personal anecdotes, player perspectives, and insights into the sometimes absurd world of pro tennis officiating.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Umpire Mistakes and Arguing Calls
Timestamp: [01:07]
- How do players professionally argue when they believe an umpire is wrong?
- Andy explains there’s little recourse in real-time. Calling a supervisor is possible but often fruitless.
- Illustrates frustration with lack of accountability:
“If you’re wrong and you stink today, nothing happens. That used to drive me crazy.” – Andy [01:36]
- Highlights discrepancy: players get fined for misconduct, but umpires face no public sanctions for errors.
- At top-level tournaments, Hawkeye and reviews limit human error, but on outside courts and smaller events, mistakes can still impact matches.
2. Should Umpires Be Former Players?
Timestamp: [04:00]
- Should umpires have tennis playing experience to be better at their jobs?
- Andy says finding ex-players willing to umpire is unrealistic.
- Main annoyance: umpires checking court conditions in loafers, not understanding actual player movement:
“You get down, you went like this. …Do you see us going, like, just walking around like that? …With your little loafers.” – Andy [05:13]
- Partial acknowledgment that player experience offers a certain “feel,” but not essential:
“Does every NBA ref have to have played? Absolutely not.” – Andy [06:42]
- The main issue is about umpires making judgment calls on things they haven’t experienced.
3. Judgment Calls, Umpire Personalities, and Showmanship
Timestamp: [07:22]
- There’s a lack of consistency; some umpires strictly follow rules, others use discretion (like enforcing the shot clock).
- Umpires sometimes seem to insert themselves into the match theatrically, which can annoy players.
“Can you just say the fucking score? Why is it like a dramatic reading every time?” – Andy [08:00]
- Fans may enjoy umpire showmanship, but for a losing player it's a source of irritation.
4. Showman Umpires: Mohamed Lahyani
Timestamp: [08:25]
- Andy praises Lahyani’s personality but draws a line at his famous pep talk to Nick Kyrgios at the US Open:
“[He] comes out and, like, gives him, like, a pep talk... If I’m Kyrgios’s opponent, I’m like, get the fuck out of there.” – Andy [09:07]
- Believes umpires shouldn’t cross the line into coaching or motivating during a match, even if they mean well.
“I would have lost my mind in that specific situation.” – Andy [10:02]
- Still, he lauds Lahyani’s character:
“He’s the nicest person. He’s so decent...and also…it’s super annoying when you’re not in the mood for it.” – Andy [10:17]
5. Practical Umpire Questions – "What if the umpire has to pee?"
Timestamp: [10:24]
- Andy marvels at umpires’ “superhuman” bladder control during marathon matches.
“The most amazing thing you will see from umpires is bladder control.” – Andy [10:34]
- Jokes about his own inability to sit that long and how others prep by avoiding hydration.
- Suggests bringing an umpire onto the podcast to answer this mystery.
6. Etiquette on Switching Sides and Unwritten Rules
Timestamp: [12:26]
- On who gets the “better” chair at changeovers:
- “No, it’s whoever gets there first.” – Andy [12:36]
- Rarely used as an intimidation tactic by pros, though running to the chair quickly can be mind games in extreme matches.
- Shares a story about trash talk being muffled under a towel to avoid microphone detection.
7. The Future of the One-Handed Backhand
Timestamp: [13:52]
- A listener asks about the slice as a substitute for the sliding, defensive one-handed backhand on tour.
- Andy explains fewer pros use one-handed backhands for good reason:
“It’s the coolest looking shot…But…defensively, it’s tougher. Getting to [the ball] on a return is tougher.” – Andy [14:43]
- Acknowledges outliers (like Federer and Dimitrov) manage with extreme talent, but for “standard person[s] trying to make it,” the two-hander prevails due to versatility and defensive strength.
- Concludes that the tour favors two-handed backhands now, reflecting broader tactical shifts.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
-
On umpire accountability:
“If I screw up and explode, I get fined, and if they screw up, then nothing. We’re good, right?” – Andy [03:41]
-
On umpires’ lack of “feel” for conditions:
“You’re the one deciding whether or not we can move. With your little loafers.” – Andy [05:55]
-
On showman umpires during matches:
“Can you just say the fucking score? Why do you have to... [make it] a dramatic reading every time someone wins a point?” – Andy [08:00]
-
On Mohamed Lahyani’s famous pep talk:
“You cannot do that. You cannot do that.” – Andy [09:38]
-
On the decline of the one-handed backhand:
“We’re seeing way more two-handers…[they’ve] figured out basically what you’re making in the point with that question.” – Andy [15:23]
Notable Timestamps for Segment Reference
- [01:07] – Arguing with umpires and supervisor process
- [04:00] – On umpires needing to be ex-players
- [07:22] – Judgment calls and umpire personalities
- [08:25] – Mohamed Lahyani and showman umpiring
- [10:24] – Can umpires take bathroom breaks?
- [12:26] – Switching chairs and changeover etiquette
- [13:52] – The future of the one-handed backhand
Final Notes
- The episode is fast-paced and full of banter, also revealing Andy’s fondness for certain umpires but an unsparing honesty about officiating frustrations.
- Andy’s mix of irreverence and insight offers both fans and casual listeners a unique window into the quirks of professional tennis life.
- The episode avoids technical analysis in favor of player perspective, humor, and accessible stories.
Perfect for listeners curious about the realities behind the scenes, the psychology of players, and the changing face of the sport.