Rybakina's New (old) Coach, Serve Bots in Australia, and more | SERVED
Jan 7, 2025
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Kick off the new tennis season with a fun dive into recent highlights, including Fritz and Gauff's victory at the United Cup. The hosts explore the quirky 'Serve Bot' phenomenon with players like Opelka taking center stage in Brisbane. Rybakina's perplexing coaching change is discussed, prompting concerns about her future performance. The conversation also touches on the ongoing frustrations around Kyrgios, alongside doping allegations involving stars like Sinner and Swiatek. A lively mix of laughter and tennis insight awaits!
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Quick takeaways
The podcast opens the 2025 season with highlights from recent tournaments, celebrating players like Mullerer and Gauff's significant victories.
A critical discussion focuses on the controversial coaching situation of Elena Rybakina, raising concerns about potential impacts on her performance.
Kyrgios's recent controversial remarks about fellow players reflect deeper issues in tennis regarding respect and the seriousness of the sport.
Deep dives
Year-End Activities in Tennis
The discussion highlights a relatively quiet period in tennis following the last sanctioned ATP event of the previous year, which wrapped up on December 23rd. During this lull, the hosts recorded multiple shows in advance, reflecting on both the end of the year and upcoming events. Notably, they mention Fonseca's impressive win at the Next Gen Finals, suggesting his potential to significantly impact the future of tennis. The unusual gap in tournaments allowed for some entertaining dialogue about holiday experiences and light-hearted banter.
Experiences in Japan
One co-host shares their fondness for Japan, describing a recent trip with their family and reminiscing about past experiences in the country as a tennis player. They emphasize the stark contrast between the vibrant chaos of Tokyo and the serene beauty of Kyoto, highlighting both cities' unique characteristics. The host reflects on how their early career led to missing out on enjoying Japan's culture, stressing a desire to return as a tourist. Overall, Japan is depicted as a captivating, affordable destination that leaves a lasting impression on visitors.
Racket Rundown Highlights
The 'Racket Rundown' section showcases recent tournament results, including Alex Muller's victory in Hong Kong, where he persevered through tough matches despite losing the first set in each. The discussion also centers on notable players returning from injuries, notably Riley Opelka, who made a strong comeback but faced discomfort during the Brisbane final. Opelka's journey is underscored as particularly meaningful given his struggles with injuries, and there's optimism about his potential in upcoming tournaments. The conversation transitions into a broader analysis of upcoming major events and the impact of player performance trends.
Coco Gauff's Performance
Coco Gauff's recent success against Iga Swiatek is celebrated as a significant achievement, especially considering her previously poor record against Swiatek. Gauff's victory not only demonstrates her growth as a player but also serves as a statement following her strong finish to the last season. The discussion touches on her recent success in Auckland, even amidst Osaka's injury-led withdrawal, indicating a resurgent phase for Gauff. This victory against a top competitor is framed as a crucial mental boost for Gauff as she enters the new season.
Kyrgios's Controversies
The conversation shifts to explore Nick Kyrgios’s recent social media behavior, particularly his comments regarding fellow players, including personal jabs at Yannick Sinner. The hosts dissect the implications of Kyrgios's actions, which have garnered criticism for troubling hypocrisy amidst his previous controversies, including a guilty plea for domestic abuse. The dialogue assesses the tension between Kyrgios's raw talent on the court and his off-court antics, often reducing significant tennis moments to petulant exchanges. Overall, Kyrgios’s behavior is seen as a reflection of a deeper issue within the sport, dealing with respect, seriousness, and public perception.
Happy New Year Chuckers!! (Don't tell Larry David we're breaking his 4-day rule...)
To kick off the 2025 season, Andy Roddick and Jon Wertheim get started with the Racket Rundown presented by Wilson - talking Lehecka taking Brisbane, Muller taking Hong Kong, Fritz & Gauff leading Team USA to win the United Cup, and Sabalenka winning in Aukland. Andy and Jon then talk about the "Serve Bot" takeover in Brisbane with Riley Opelka and Giovanni Perricard. They also discuss Elena Rybakina's strange and concerning coaching situation. Finally, Andy and Jon share their frustrations with Nick Kyrigos amidst the Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek doping cases.