Served 5 Setter
Iga Świątek Makes History, Wildcard Visa Drama, Ons Jabeur’s Big News & More
Happy Friday, everyone!
This week’s Served Five Setter breaks down all the key moments you need to know from around the world of racket sports. From Ons Jabeur’s joyful baby announcement and United Cup roster reveals to Sumit Nagal’s visa drama, Novak Djokovic’s candid Piers Morgan interview, and Iga Świątek’s historic season.
To watch Djokovic’s interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored, click here.
Watch the full episode to stay ahead of the game and scroll down for bonus stories that also deserve your attention!
Alcaraz Seals Year-End No. 1… Again
Carlos Alcaraz did what Carlos Alcaraz does best: he showed up when it mattered most. The 22-year-old Spaniard clinched the 2025 ATP Year-End No. 1 ranking after defeating Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-1 at the ATP Finals in Turin on Thursday.
With a perfect 3-0 record in round-robin play, Alcaraz put the year-end race to bed and left his rival Jannik Sinner needing a miracle to catch him.
This marks Alcaraz’s second time finishing the year at No. 1. He first did it in 2022 at just 19 years old, making him the youngest ever. Now at 22, he’s the second-youngest man ever to finish two or more years at No. 1, trailing only Lleyton Hewitt.
He joins an elite club with Björn Borg, Stefan Edberg, and Hewitt as the only players under 23 to accomplish this feat. (Read more)
Patrick Kypson’s Challenger Takeover
While the big names battled in Turin, American Patrick Kypson was quietly making history on the ATP Challenger Tour.
The 26-year-old claimed his fourth Challenger title of 2025 in Helsinki on Sunday, defeating home favorite Otto Virtanen 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in front of a packed Tali Tennis Center.
Kypson’s victory ties him with Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, Emilio Nava, and Borna Ćorić for most Challenger titles this season.
But here’s the kicker: his Helsinki triumph clinched the USTA’s Australian Open Wild Card Challenge, earning him a spot in the main draw at the season’s first major. It’s the second time Kypson has won the challenge, having previously done it in 2023.
With his Australian Open spot secured, Kypson’s season serves as a reminder that the grind on the Challenger Tour can pay off in a big way. (Read more)
Lavazza and Sinner: A Match Made Until 2030
In the world of tennis sponsorships, loyalty is rare. But Lavazza and Jannik Sinner have something special. On the eve of the ATP Finals in Turin, the Italian coffee giant announced it’s extending its partnership with the world No. 1 through 2030.
Lavazza was one of the first brands to believe in Sinner when he was just 18 years old and ranked 140th in the ATP rankings back in 2019.
Since then, the partnership has been a masterclass in long-term investment paying off. Sinner has since won four Grand Slam titles, reached No. 1 in the world, and become one of the most marketable athletes on the planet.
“We believed in him from the very beginning, when his talent was still just a promise,” said Giuseppe Lavazza, Chairman of the Lavazza Group. “He is much more than a brand ambassador: he is part of our family”.
Sinner returned the sentiment, saying, “Lavazza is not just an extraordinary partner, but above all a family. They have supported me since the very beginning of my journey, and that means a lot to me”.
It’s a reminder that authentic partnerships built on trust can create mutual growth that goes far beyond simple brand visibility. (Read more)
EDITOR’S NOTE: 2026 United Cup Points System
If you watched this week’s episode on YouTube, you might’ve noticed Producer Mike mention the confusing points system for the 2026 United Cup. This picture above outlines how players earn points throughout the tournament… Read more on the prize money and points for the tournament here.
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SERVED STATS & QUICK HITS
Alcaraz is the 11th player to finish two or more years at No. 1 in ATP rankings history and the first player born since 2000 (or even since 1990) to do it.
Sinner’s 28-match indoor winning streak is the longest active streak on any surface on the ATP Tour.
Fourteen ATP Challenger events held in November will count towards the 2026 Race instead of 2025 rankings after a rule change designed to relieve pressure on players during the “off-season”.
Alex de Minaur reached his first ATP Finals semifinal after entering as an alternate, becoming the first Australian since Lleyton Hewitt in 2005 to make the final four in Turin.
Five teenagers have won WTA titles in 2025; Rakotomanga Rajaonah, 19, became the newest champion in São Paulo on just her third tour-level main draw.
TIEBREAK TRIVIA
In the 5 Setter Podcast we asked: Which WTA legend holds the current record of 12 consecutive seasons in the Top 2?
The answer: Chris Evert holds the record for the most consecutive seasons in the Top 2 of the WTA rankings - 12 seasons total (from 1975 to 1986).
THE WEEKEND DRAW
ATP Finals Semifinals: November 15-16
ATP Finals Final: November 17
Davis Cup Finals: November 18-23
Full international WTA & ATP broadcast list.
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Alcaraz finishing the year at No. 1 again at just 22 is absolutly wild. The Lavazza partnership with Sinner is also a gret example of how long term brand building pays off when both sides comit to each other. What did you think of Djokovic opening up on that interview?