Andy Roddick opens the episode with a Racket Rundown, analyzing Coco Gauff’s hard-fought victory over Jessica Pegula at the 2025 Wuhan Open. The match showcased Gauff’s ability to win under pressure, even when her game wasn’t at its cleanest. Roddick praises her mental toughness and adaptability, noting how she adjusted her strategy mid-match to overcome Pegula’s consistency.
“She doesn’t always win pretty, but she wins smart,” Roddick says, emphasizing Gauff’s growing maturity on court.
Shanghai’s family feud ends with an upset
The conversation shifts to the 2025 Shanghai Rolex Masters, where World No. 204 Valentin Vacherot stunned the tennis world by defeating his cousin Arthur Rinderknech in the final. The match was not only a personal battle but a symbolic moment for underdogs in the sport. Roddick reflects on the emotional complexity of facing a family member in such a high-stakes setting and applauds Vacherot’s composure.
“It’s rare to see a final with that kind of personal history,” he notes, pointing to the unique dynamic between the two players.
Rick Draney’s impact on wheelchair tennis
In the second half of the episode, Roddick sits down with Rick Draney, a pioneer of wheelchair tennis and a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Draney recounts how a life-altering injury led him to reshape the sport, from developing new grip techniques to helping formalize the quad division classification system.
“I didn’t want limitations to define what was possible,” Draney shares, reflecting on his journey from rehabilitation to innovation.
The discussion explores the evolution of wheelchair tennis technology, including lighter chairs and improved mobility aids, and highlights the rise of global stars like Shingo Kunieda, Esther Vergeer, and Tokito Oda. Draney also speaks passionately about the growing junior pipeline and the importance of mentorship in sustaining the sport’s growth.
A celebration of grit, innovation, and connection
This episode blends competitive drama with personal stories, offering listeners a deeper look into the emotional and technical layers of tennis. From Gauff’s strategic grit to Vacherot’s family upset and Draney’s transformative legacy, the show captures the sport’s ability to inspire across generations and formats.
Cori Gauff in 2025
Ranked world no.3, Coco played her last match on the 12th of October when she beat world no.5 Jessica Pegula 6-4 7-5 in the final in Wuhan to win her 12th career title.
This season Gauff has achieved a 47-14 win-loss record. Gauff clinched 3 titles in 2025 in Australia, French Open and Wuhan. The American reached the final in Madrid and Rome.
Valentin Vacherot in 2025
Currently the world no.40 (career-high), Vacherot played his last match on the 12th of October when he defeated world no.28 Arthur Rinderknech 4-6 6-3 6-3 in the final in Shanghai to win his 1st career title.
During this season the Monegasque has achieved a 42-22 match record. This year, the Monegasque clinched 1 title in Shanghai. Valentin was the runner-up in the Francavilla Challenger.
He is also scheduled to play in Athens (Hellenic Championship). The main draw will start on the 2nd of November.