A quick 7 minute interview with Jack Sock after he won the Savannah Challenger on Sunday, before our full episode with Somdev Devvarman, which will be released on Tuesday. Also, an update on us pausing our patreon page. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Noah and Mike catch up on the misbehavior of some of Noah's contemporaries, and discuss Iga and Carlos' victories in Miami, along with some stories from on the ground from Mike. More coming from Tallahassee in a couple weeks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Noah and Mike reconvene after a month apart. We discuss: Mike's first time as an on court reporter, in Acapulco Kristie Ahn's retirement, and the potential for a few more Sascha Zverev's incident in Acapulco How the war in Ukraine will effect the tennis world Naomi Osaka, and mental health breaks in a sport with no time for breaks. More coming soon, we hope! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
A quick recap from Noah on his last several weeks on the road before we talk with the now 28-year-old from Vancouver, who had a dominant junior career with four slam finals in a year, with two titles. Mike will be in Dallas on Sunday (weather permitting) so hopefully we can meet up if everything works out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Noah joins us from Chile, after winning his first round match this morning, and boy let me tell you, he's got some stories. While Novak's deportation took all the headlines, it was FAR worse in Chile. Hear the story, and catch up with the guys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike and Noah take on the Novak crisis (as of Monday Jan 10 in the morning), and decry the fact that this continues to make tennis look bad. And what about everyone else who did the right thing. And WHAT ABOUT THE TENNIS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ben Rothenberg is one of the most well informed, and polarizing figures in the tennis twittersphere. He's a fantastic writer, working for outlets such as the New York Times, as well as being one of the editors of Racquet Magazine. He's also written the definitive story (to this point) on the abuse allegations against Alex Zverev. He's also one of the more polarizing figures in tennis social media circles. We spend about 10 minutes each on: 1) His upcoming trip to Australia 2) the lack of real up...
First, yeah, Mike has covid. (I'm fine, I promise). So, this week's plans for multiple pods got completely shot in the foot. But, Noah was a trooper and sat in the cold so we could record a pod to discuss ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi's quotes about Challengers. Obviously, this caused some heat. We'll recap, go over it, and go from there. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, hear Mike's interview with Stefan Kozlov, who won the USTA's reciprocal wild card to the Australian Open by virtue of a final, title, and title over the last 4 weeks in Vegas, Charlottesville, and Champaign. We've also got an interview with Christopher Eubanks, winner of the Knoxville Challenger one week ago. Finally, to start the show, the boys discuss Koz's impeccable run over the last two months, Peng Shuai, and Novak's completely unnecessary post celebrating Alex Zverev. Learn mor...
Quiet, business like, and driven are great ways to describe Aleksandar Vukic. As opposed to a lot of the pros, who have had an amazing junior pedigree, he came to the University of Illinois as a secondary prospect. But now, after a run to the Finals in Charlottesville, he's starting to realize his top 100 dreams. We'll also discuss his new coach, his Covid diagnosis immediately before the US Open, and the difficulties of being away from Australia for such a long period of time in 2021. As a bonu...
One of the co-founders of the PTPA, Vasek Pospisil, joins Mike and Noah from Charlottesville, where he's the top seed at the Charlottesville Men's Pro Challenger. Our half hour chat didn't even begin to get in to the full depths of the PTPA and how it fits in to the tennis landscape. But Vasek did give an update on where it's at now, how it impacts lower level players, and he debates the clarity of message with Mike. He also discusses how it's impacted him on court...and hopefully, we'll get ano...
Catching up with Noah here after a few weeks off, as the final stretch awaits. Back with new guests and shows next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We dive in deep to the legendary commentator's decision to resign from her commentary duties with the Laver Cup this past weekend. You'll hear her explain why with regard to the domestic abuse allegations against Alex Zverev, and why that decision, and others in her career, have been so important to her, and have also cost her work. Quick note from Mike: This was a difficult pod to record for me personally. Mary is as authentic as it can get, and it made me a) realize some of my own shortcomings...
Ohio State? The transition to the pro tour? Fishing? Insulting Noah Rubin? You name it, this pod has it. We talked with the 24-year-old about her standout career in Columbus, her ascension in the pro ranks, and how challenging it has been to maintain that level. We go through some fishing excursions she's had down in Tampa, and a very, very special and important request for the tournament organizers in Indian Wells. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jamie Loeb takes the court on Grandstand this afternoon against Iga Swiatek after a gritty, and hard earned qualifying run last week. It's her first main draw appearance at the Open since 2015. And she's really, truly, been through a lot this last year. This is her story of how she's found new perspective, fought through covid, self doubt, and is allowing Jamie Loeb to be Jamie Loeb. This is the Behind the Racquet Pod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Mike here: There are few people that I respect more than Paolo Lorenzi. When I heard that he had made his decision to retire last week here in New York, I can say I was genuinely saddened by the news, but am so, so thrilled that Paolo is moving on to the next phase of his life. He is one of the kindest souls off the court, and one of the more ferocious competitors I've ever witnessed. We discuss this dichotomy, and so much more, on this week's BTRPod, with a BONUS EPISODE TOMORROW! Learn more ab...
Yeah, you heard about it. Noah Rubin decided yeah, sure, I'll play Andy Murray on Sunday after losing a heartbreaker 20 minutes earlier in Winston-Salem. He was lauded for giving it a go, and at least efforting to put on a show for a packed crowd. But the story, and the pressure of that decision, was a lot more exhausting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Taylor Townsend's life has been a bit different of late, shifting to a new role as Mom, and also just recently returning to the tennis court! She and Noah go WAY back, and after a bit of reminiscing, we walk through how much her life has changed, her recent "The Players Tribune" article about her prior battles with the USTA, and how she views and sees the recent discussions in the sporting world over mental health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
The boys have a quick chat about Noah's return to competitive tennis, and why it's so important to him again after a difficult stretch. Mike takes a look back at the Atlantic Tire Championships in Cary, North Carolina, some of the surprises and big stories, as well as a quick discussion on Jenson Brooksby, Atlanta, and the potential US Open wild cards. Then we hear Mike's chat with Mitchell Krueger, recorded just after the Texan won his title on Sunday. Subscribe, and be a part of the discussion...
Petros Chrysochos is 25 years old, from Cyprus, and is currently ranked 359 in the world on the ATP Tour. But his story is fascinating. A junior top 20 player, an NCAA singles and team champion while at Wake Forest in 2018, and since leaving Wake in 2019, he's played professionally while serving his mandatory service time in the army in Cyprus. Remarkable stuff. He and Noah did not overlap at Wake, but their relationship is deep as you'll hear in this wide ranging conversation. Learn more about ...
It's been nearly 3 months since Noah and Mike have caught up and discussed issues of the day, so what better time! Here's a little timeline for you, and a note for our patreon supporters, LISTEN TO THE END OF THE SHOW! 2:00- Noah Life Update 6:00- Mike got a cat from the sewer 8:00- Wimby recap, and the Big 3 vs Parity 16:30- The player reaction to Naomi Osaka 22:00- Noah's update on the PTPA Love y'all, more info on the shirts, and stickers, soon! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...
Noah will be back this week, after we air this episode I recorded in Orlando a few weeks ago! Goncalo Oliveira will take us on a ride through a fascinating childhood, to say the least. In some ways, it was living the dream; in others, not so much. He's now on the cusp of being a perennial Grand Slam doubles participant. But that's not the goal yet. He'll explain why, and we'll talk about some of the ATP politics as well Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
What a treat to have J.C. stop by my house while he was in Tulsa for a Futures this week. Noah joins us by phone from Minnesota. With J.C., we go through his development and time at Virginia, and then to the in depth discussion on how Type 1 diabetes has affected his life on and off the court. It's changed dramatically over the past 10 years, and is he at a new point in his life? Next week on the pod, Goncalo Oliveira. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Of note, no Noah this week, as he was both traveling, AND he had Islanders rinkside seats while I knocked out this pod, as well as one with Goncalo Oliveira that we'll post soon. Uli is 23 years old, with a unique childhood that he'll tell you about. Really a fascinating interview, and thanks to everyone for popping in and spending time with me the last couple weeks back on the road! -Mike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
NOTE: PLEASE EXCUSE THE DOUBLE AUDIO FOR THE FIRST MINUTE OF THE INTERVIEW. I got it sorted out after about a minute or so. -Mike The ankle injury continues to hamper Noah, but Mike trudges on alone on the road, but is joined by Jason Jung, a perennial top 150 player who has found ways over the years to continue to see high level success. It's been a long path, from a highly successful junior career, to a college career that didn't quite hit those big expectations, to a real life job, and then y...
It's a big week with Roland Garros qualifying underway in Paris, so we were thrilled to have a few minutes on Sunday to chat with Ellen Perez. Ellen was this week's feature on Behind the Racquet, and we wanted to extend the conversation a bit and see if her effervescent personality and positivity could rub off on the two cynics in the room. Little Rock is on the docket for Mike next week, and Orlando immediately following, so we'll have a couple more in person chats coming up. Thanks as always f...
It's been a pretty damned decent 2021 already for Jenson Brooksby, He's now won three Challenger titles, including both Orlando in Tallahassee in April in back to back weeks ON DIFFERENT SURFACES on the USTA Pro Circuit. Truly remarkable stuff. He hops on the pod to talk with Mike and Noah about where he gets his incredible self belief, learning from early opportunities at Challengers in Northern California, and how and why he's as vocal as he is on the court. Learn more about your ad choices. V...
Mike got back out on the road, so he shares his thoughts on the Challengers in Orlando and Tallahassee. Then, we get in to your questions, including Jack Sock's future, the difficulties of scheduling.... and then a LOT of you wanted us to discuss Jenson Brooksby. So we did. And hopefully, we have him hop on with us later in the week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recorded Friday night, Orlando Finalist Denis Kudla joins us to discuss how marriage has changed his life both on and off the court, and given him new perspectives. He also discusses what he learned from a few days away on Necker Island, learning from Richard Branson. And.....hockey talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Both guys are now on the mend, after Mike gives you the details on his recent medical trauma. Hoooobi is the champion in Miami. What does it mean for what's popular in tennis? We debate development routes, focusing on the path taken by Sebastian Korda and how to make it accessible to more people. And finally, yes, how good is women's tennis right now at the top? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
