Madrid Farewells & Debuts, WTA CEO Steps Down, 2026 Laureus Awards

Techie Sean· Host0:00

[upbeat music] What's up, chuckers? Techie Sean here filling in for Producer Mike this week to bring you your Served five-setter, your weekly roundup of all things racket sports, five stories in 10 minutes or less. Before we get into it, please hit subscribe on YouTube and give us a follow on your favorite podcast platform so you can stay up to date on all things Served. We really appreciate the love and support. That said, today is April 24th 2026, and here's what we've got for you: motherhood and a comeback, WTA front office shakeup, tennis owns the Oscars of sport, and London is calling and the world answers. But first, [graphic whooshes] for set number one, we are starting in the Spanish capital, where this week's Madrid Open delivered both a graceful farewell and a breathless debut. First, the goodbye. On Wednesday, Roberto Bautista Agut played his final match at Caja Mágica, and the crowd gave it right back to him. The 38-year-old Spaniard, who announced his retirement at the end of this season just last week, lost his first round match to Argentina's Thiago Agustín Tirante, 6-2, 6-4. But the score line was, in the words of the tournament itself, completely secondary. After the match, tournament directors Feliciano López and Gabrine Muguruza, two legends of Spanish tennis in their own right, joined him on court to present a commemorative plaque. His wife Ana and sons Roberto Jr. and Lucas were there. It was by all accounts the kind of farewell that players dream about and rarely get. Bautista Agut's career numbers speak for themselves: 12 ATP titles, a peak ranking of world number nine,