Served 5 Setter: The Carlos Comeback
Plus: Weddings, Wimbledon ratings and another star documentary
Welcome to your weekly 5 Setter, an express roundup of all things racquet sports with Techy Sean. In this episode:
Set 1: Wimbledon ratings are out—and they’re up
Set 2: Alcaraz and Rune set return dates
Set 3: The first look at the Djokovic documentary
Set 4: Wedding-palooza
Set 5: The strategy that beat Anna Leigh Waters
Click below to watch today’s 5 Setter on YouTube, and come back here for this week’s bonus stories.
The latest stories that matter right now
The WTA Finals Move to Indian Wells
The biggest news that might have gotten lost in the sauce during Wimbledon was the WTA’s announcement about the future of the WTA Finals. As in, the very near future.
After two years in Saudi Arabia, this year’s tournament will take place in a different desert—Indian Wells in California, the site of the BNP Paribas Open in March, aka “tennis paradise.” This is just for 2026 at the moment. The finals were supposed to take place in Saudi Arabia for the last year on the WTA’s three-year contract, but the tour announced in March that it would relocate this year.
The announcement said the WTA and the Saudi partners had “mutually agreed” to end the relationship early. The Athletic reported that hosting the tournament had “outlived its usefulness” to Saudi Arabia’s goal for its investment into global sports, although the U.S.’s war with Iran might have also contributed to the decision. When it broke out in February, several tennis players were stranded in Qatar after the Doha tournament as they tried to travel to … Indian Wells.
The WTA Finals was last played in California in 2005 after a run at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. On Love All this week, Kim said about 30,000 tickets have been sold. Listen to Kim’s memories of the days playing the event, when her coach would put tickets on random windshields hoping to get butts in seats.
The WTA will continue to look for a new long-term site for 2027 and beyond.
ATP Finals to Stay in Italy, NextGen Leaves Saudi Arabia
The ATP announced this week that the year-end championships will stay in Turin for two more years, making it a total run of seven years. Also, the NextGen Finals for players 20 and under will move to Reggio Calabria in Italy this year, following the end of its three-year contract with Saudi Arabia.
CAS Extends Player’s Suspension
From the “be careful what you wish for” files, former French player Samuel Bensoussan appealed his 23-month suspension for match fixing, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport agreed the terms weren’t appropriate. So it added three years and $12,000.
In its decision, the CAS noted the scale of the match-fixing ring that Bensoussan participated in—“a criminal organisation that corrupted at least 181 players worldwide and involved the manipulation of at least 375 tennis matches.” Three other players were also suspended for their involvement.
Bensoussan, who is 34 and reached a career-high ranking of No. 405 in 2018, will be eligible to return in May 2028—assuming he doesn’t decide to appeal again.
Hollywood Returns to Tennis
In Set 4, Techy Sean reported on real-life love in tennis as four top players got married this week. At the same time, Deadline reported on a new tennis rom-com in the works.
The good news—it’s not a Challengers sequel. The bad news—it’s not the Ali G movie.
This vehicle from Amazon MGM Studios and writer-director Joey Power stars Isabel May as a tennis phenom who falls for a ballboy played by Tyriq Withers at the US Open.
Yes, Withers is 28 and playing a ballboy. Tennis fans noticed the age issue right away, but that part is actually true to life. The US Open doesn’t have an age limit on try-outs for the court crew. Some of them are twice the age of the players. It’s the only Slam that allows adults to try out. Presumably, they are tested on their ability to pick up balls, not players.
15
Women in the Top 15 who have won a Slam or a 1000-level title
Yes, that’s everyone. The top of the WTA rankings is champions-only territory. The story coming out of Wimbledon was the parity on the WTA, after two Slams in a row featured players outside the Top 5 in the finals and two women won their first majors. This stat makes it official.
Quick Hits
Alex Eala will play in this year’s Asian Games in Japan, September 19 through October 4.
Rafael Jodar has joined Team Europe for this year’s Laver Cup.
Best retirement gift in tennis: Stan Wawrinka’s plaid skis courtesy of the Swiss Open this week, commemorating his 2016 French Open shorts. Now that he’s retiring, he can actually use them. (h/t @Tennis Publisher)
Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas got in some extra practice in Gstaad.
Stefanos Tsitsipas@stefanosRally of the year contender with @CasperRuud98 😎 🎥 @TennisLegende9:35 AM · Jul 14, 2026 · 106K Views41 Replies · 178 Reposts · 2.7K Likes
Q&Andy Recap
Fresh from two weeks at Wimbledon, Andy explains the evolution of grass-court tennis strategy.
📮Submit a question by emailing askandy@servedmediagroup.com or send it through our website or social media.
Love All Recap
Kim and Blair break down the latest news, the secrets of Czech coaching, Roger Federer’s upcoming Hall of Fame induction and Kim’s tactical analysis of Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek. Plus: Kim’s stories from this year’s Wimbledon Champions Ball.
Tiebreak Trivia
With tennis continuing to be prominent on the big screen, what is the one tennis movie that has won an Oscar?
💡Answer: King Richard. Will Smith won Best Actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams, Venus and Serena’s father, in the 2021 movie.
📝 We’ll be back Tuesday with a new episode. In the meantime, join us on Substack during the weekend’s matches.
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Techy Sean on the desk! Woot!
In the greatest tennis film poll how *dare* you leave off Wimbledon(2004) and Break Point (2014 movie not the Netflix show).