Thanasi and I tried to first record this podcast in August, the week he won a Challenger title in Aptos, California. Time kept getting away from us, but finally, the day after he qualified for the Australian Open, we were able to sit down and chat. We did NOT hammer away at why he didn't get the Wild Card. Thanasi was about to get that question five different ways at a press conference. I did ask him to explain a bit about the politics of tennis in Australia, his rise and fall, and rise again in...
Jan 13, 2019•20 min•Ep. 34
Some of our podcasts are a little shorter this week. Slams will do that.But we're very excited to have Christopher Eubanks join us, the day before the Australian Open main draw begins, as he is in action on Monday after qualifying last week. We talk about why Georgia Tech was important to his development, what the Transition Tour means for college tennis, and his amazing opportunity Saturday to hit and train with Serena Williams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jan 13, 2019•18 min•Ep. 33
On this podcast, we talk with NCAA Champion, Challenger Champion, and now ex-player Jarmere Jenkins. Yes, he's Serena's hitting partner. No, we did not talk about Serena. It's a very frank talk, however, about the difficulties of finding positivity as a professional, and how Jarmere found his own path. And maybe how that translates for others. Enjoy. More to come this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jan 11, 2019•34 min•Ep. 32
Reilly Opelka has picked up two titles in two weeks on the USTA Pro Circuit. But his championship in Champaign means a little more, moving him in to the top 100 for the first time in his career, and gets him in to the main draw at the Australian Open. Hear from him after his title at the JSM Challenger of Champaign-Urbana, as we go inside the New Balance Winner's Circle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 17, 2018•8 min•Ep. 31
It's been a long time coming for Tommy Paul. The 21 year old picked up his first Challenger title in dominant fashion on Sunday in Charlottesville, going Lucky Loser to final without losing a set in the main draw. That included wins over Noah Rubin, Ivo Karlovic, Bradley Klahn, and then Peter Polansky in the final. It puts him in the running for the USTA Australian Open Wild Card, although he's well behind Jack Sock for now. And it almost guarantees him a trip to Australia for qualies. While we'...
Nov 05, 2018•11 min•Ep. 30
Recorded last week before his tournament in Fairfield, California, hear from the 21 year old about his massive year, marred only by a bout with mono during the summer. We talk about the NBA, his social media absence, why he wants out of the Challengers ASAP, and yes, Tommy Paul's beloved Pumpkin. More coming from Charlottesville, including, hopefully, the talk we promised with Tommy Paul. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Oct 19, 2018•35 min•Ep. 29
It's been a long time coming for Bjorn Fratangelo. The 25 year old pride of Plum, Pennsylvania picked up his first title in 2 1/2 years in Fairfield, California today. In the New Balance Winner's Circle, we talked about the depths to which he had sunk over the summer, and how he found a new balance with tennis and life. Oh...and you'll also hear why I called him "Beautiful Bjorn" during today's broadcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Oct 15, 2018•12 min•Ep. 28
The big hitting 21 year old from Cape Town is back in the New Balance's Winner's Circle, after taking his second career Challenger title in Stockton, California. His confidence is on a new level. Hear why, and what his win means for South African tennis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 08, 2018•10 min•Ep. 27
5 surgeries in two years. And yet James Duckworth is back, and progressing back toward the top 100, with one Challenger title, and a semifinal last week in Tiburon. The Cary champion tells us about what he did off the court during that time, the perspective he gained, and maybe the low moment in this comeback. We chat over some lowly American coffee, and as always, the company was delightful. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Oct 02, 2018•33 min•Ep. 26
Hear from newly minted Wells Fargo Tiburon Challenger Champion Michael Mmoh, the newest member of the ATP's Top 100. Back to back titles in Columbus and Tiburon get him there for the first time in his career. We play compare and contrast:1) His new and old coaches (Alex Waske and Glenn Weiner) 2) His style of play now vs. 2016 3) and the style of play over the last two weeks. Hear from Mike inside the New Balance Tennis Winner's Circle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...
Oct 01, 2018•9 min•Ep. 25
We go inside the New Balance Winner's Circle today with Thanasi Kokkinakis, who ended a 3 year injury-prolonged Trophy drought with a win at the Nordic Naturals Challenger. He talks about how his body is holding up, his immediate plans for Vancouver and the Open, and how he hopes to sustain success for the finishing months of 2018. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 13, 2018•10 min•Ep. 24
Finally got a chance to sit down with Dan Evans, aka Evo, to talk a little bit about his life three months back in to his comeback. Hear his thoughts on how he's been treated by the media, his relationship with his former coach Mark Hilton, and how things have gone on court since his return. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 09, 2018•29 min•Ep. 23
We go inside the New Balance Winner's Circle with Lloyd Harris, winner of the Kentucky Bank Tennis Championships in Lexington, Kentucky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 05, 2018•6 min•Ep. 22
Hear from Binghamton Champion Jay Clarke on why he's the 4th British champion at this tournament in the last 13 years, following Murray, Edmund, and Norrie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 29, 2018•9 min•Ep. 21
On this edition of the Coffee Cast with Cation, Jordan Thompson dishes on the Transition Tour, transitioning back and forth between Challengers and Slams, and perfectionism in the sport of tennis, ahead of his 2nd straight final in Binghamton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 29, 2018•36 min•Ep. 20
In the latest edition of the Coffee Cast, I sit down with Marc Polmans, the talented 21-year-old from Melbourne who has had a remarkable 2018, including a 24 match winning streak. We talk about how he handles the Australian Travel burden, what it means to be a competitor, and yes....the hat situation. As always leave a review, and don't forget to support the podcast at patreon.com/mikectennis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
May 04, 2018•24 min•Ep. 19
Hear from Tallahassee Tennis Challenger Champion Noah Rubin after a three set win over Marc Polmans. It's his fourth title, second of the year, and puts him in the lead of the USTA Pro Circuit French Open Wild Card Challenge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 29, 2018•4 min•Ep. 18
Peter Polansky is playing some of the best tennis in his life, knocking on the door of the top 100. At the same time, he's somehow managed to create a multi-player game/app that is earning rave reviews and some dedicated fans. Hear the story behind Arcane Pets: A Plushie Story, and more with the 29 year old from Toronto. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 26, 2018•31 min•Ep. 17
So, a funny thing happened on the way to the podcast.So, I was discussing a picture I have on my phone with Noah, of him, Stefan Kozlov, and Jared Donaldson. When I showed it to him, the recording stopped. I didn't notice it for 15 minutes. So......we missed out on some good stuff. But it's still some good insight in to his life on the road, and his family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 25, 2018•23 min•Ep. 16
University of Illinois Senior Aleks Vukic (World #435) joined me last week to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of college tennis, his plans for the summer, and what it's like to be an international player preparing for the NCAA Tournament. Don't forget to subscribe, and help buy our coffee at patreon.com/mikectennis. And if you leave a rating on itunes, it helps us get seen by more and more people! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Apr 02, 2018•39 min•Ep. 15
On this edition of the Coffee Cast (over water), dubs specialist Luke Bambridge joins me to talk about the doubles life, his latest off court obsession, his feelings about the Tennys Sandgren controversy, and how he's becoming an American in terms of his coffee. Rate, review, and tell your friends. And as always, you can buy our coffee at patreon.com/mikectennis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 06, 2018•45 min•Ep. 14
On today's podcast, I'm joined by Denis Kudla, the young American who gained quite a few new fans with his great match with Thiem in Australia. He's been on the big stage before, and is headed back in that direction. We talk about our coffee, how his relationship has changed him, how his social media output his changed, and why. Thanks for your support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Feb 02, 2018•31 min•Ep. 13
In this episode, hear John Millman talk about his outstanding commentary of late, Rosie the Chicken, and why American coffee pales in comparison to Australian brew. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 24, 2018•32 min•Ep. 12
Now that he's back in the second round of the Australian Open, hear from Tim Smyczek about how he's approaching his 2018, traveling with his wife, and the bloody day for Americans on Monday.(recorded Wednesday morning in Melbourne) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 18, 2018•28 min•Ep. 11
The pride of Indiana joins me from the Australian Open Player's Lounge (recorded Tuesday afternoon) to talk about the difficulties of playing doubles without a regular partner, and how his anticipation and excitement has changed since his initial Grand Slam. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 18, 2018•27 min•Ep. 10
Before heading back home from Melbourne, Liam Broady sat down with me to talk family, social justice, and our joined interest, Peaky F'n Blinders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 12, 2018•35 min•Ep. 9
First Coffee Cast of the year is with Tennys Sandgren on the eve of the Australian Open. We discuss his new sponsorship, gaming, and yes, his view on politics and discourse. Don't forget, you can help support the Coffee Cast by visiting patreon.com/mikectennis to buy our coffee! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jan 11, 2018•46 min•Ep. 8
Hear from Tim Smyczek, whose 6-4, 6-4 win today over Tennys Sandgren clinched the USTA's Australian Open Wild Card berth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 16, 2017•6 min•Ep. 7
Hear from 2017 Knoxville Challenger winner Filip Peliwo in this week's edition of the New Balance Winner's Circle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 13, 2017•8 min•Ep. 6
On a special bonus Coffee Cast with Cation, we talk with Bjorn Fratangelo at Panera about coffee, his travel schedule, social life on tour, and why in the hell people call him FRANtangelo. Join us, and leave a review on itunes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 12, 2017•34 min•Ep. 5
