The Mini-Break [Tennis Podcast]

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin breaks down Thursday's action from across the Pro Tennis World.

Episode Bookmarks

ATP Dubai - 5:45

ATP Acapulco - 13:55

WTA Merida - 20:10

WTA Austin - 22:40

ATP Santiago - 24:30

WTA 125Ks + ATP Challengers - 36:15

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Laurel Springs
Ranked among the best online private schools in the Uni...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin breaks down this week's early round action from across the Pro Tennis World. He offers his thoughts on strong starts from all the top seeds in Dubai. He also breaks down the continued chaos of opening round play in Acapulco and Austin, offers updates on the action in Merida and Santiago, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

ATP Du...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin breaks down the final week of February action in the pro tennis world. He looks at a stacked week of ATP 500 action in Dubai and Acapulco. He also offers his thoughts on the draws in Merida, Austin, Santiago, and SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

ATP Dubai - 6:30

ATP Acapulco - 16:45

WTA Merida - 28:02

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Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his many takeaways from the first three weeks of ATP action in February. He shares his thoughts on the crowded race to be the top American Man. He also breaks down the biggest winners and losers from the season's second month, gives his two cents on Fonseca's slow start to 2026, plus SO much more

Episode Bookmarks

Who's th...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his many takeaways from the first three weeks of WTA action in February. He breaks down the continued excellence of a surging Jessica Pegula and examines the continued success of the WTA Youth Movement. He also names his biggest winners and losers from the month's WTA results, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Is this the Jessica Pe...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin breaks down Thursday's action from across the Pro Tennis World.

Episode Bookmarks

WTA Abu Dhabi - 5:00

WTA Cluj Napoca - 9:51

WTA Ostrava - 12:34

ATP Montpellier - 15:45

WTA 125K + ATP Challengers - 17:14

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Laurel Springs
Ranked among the best online private schools in the United States, Laurel Spr...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin breaks down this week's action across the WTA and ATP Tours. He offers his thoughts on events in Abu Dhabi, Cluj-Napoca, Ostrava, Montpellier, and SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

WTA Abu Dhabi - 4:33

WTA Cluj Napoca - 14:35

WTA Ostrava - 18:25

ATP Montpellier - 21:40

WTA 125K + ATP Challengers - 25:10

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Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his thoughts on those ATP players that did the most to either improve or hurt their standing in the opening month of the 2026 season with a game of "Stock Up, Stock Down". He breaks down remarkably impressive hard court Januarys for Baez and Darderi. He also looks at a tough month for the Canadian men, plus SO much more!!

Ep...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his thoughts on those WTA players that did the most to either improve or hurt their standing in the opening month of the 2026 season with a game of "Stock Up, Stock Down" . He breaks down the continued ascent of a couple of WTA teenagers, names the two WTA veterans he's most concerned about heading into February, plus SO much more!!

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Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin shares his ATP Top 10 rankings after the opening month of the 2026 season. He offers his thoughts on the consolidation of his Tier 2 contenders, breaks down a contentious race for spots #9 and #10, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Top of the game storylines - 6:00

Tier 1 - 19:00

#1 Carlos Alcaraz - 19:00

#2 Jannik Sinner - 22:30

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Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin shares his WTA Top 10 rankings after the opening month of the 2026 season. He breaks down his three tiers of WTA contenders, offers his thoughts on the crowded race for the #9 and #10 spots, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Top of the game storylines - 9:15

Tier 1 - 19:45

#1 Aryna Sabalenka - 20:10

#2 Elena Rybakina - 26:08

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps the 2026 Australian Open Men's Singles Final. He offers his thoughts on what allowed ultimately Alcaraz to overwhelm Djokovic in a four-set finish. He also breaks down where Alcaraz ranks historically at age 22, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Alcaraz/Djokovic - 6:10

Alcaraz at 22 - 24:30

ATP Challengers - 32:35

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Laurel Springs

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps the 2026 Australian Open Women's Singles Final. He breaks down a brilliant display of power tennis from Elena Rybakina. He then contemplates who currently owns the title of BEST player in Women's Tennis, offers his final preview for the Men's Singles Final, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Rybakina/Sabalenka - 5:05

Men's Singles Final Preview - 30:36

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps a magnificent pair of 2026 Australian Open Men's Singles Semifinal battle. He marvels at the otherworldly persistence of a cramping Carlos Alcaraz, and shares his continued bewilderment at the ceaseless excellence of Novak Djokovic. He then previews both the Men's and Women's Singles Finals, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Alcaraz/Zverev - 5:20

Djokovic/Sinner - 28:00

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps the 2026 Australian Open Women's Singles Semifinals. He offers his thoughts on two overwhelming displays of power tennis from Sabalenka and Rybakina. He then shares his first thoughts on the Sabalenka/Rybakina Women's Final, previews Friday's Men's Singles Semifinal battles, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Sabalenka/Svitolina - 5:40

Rybakina/Pegula - 16:25

Women's Final Pr...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Day 11 of the 2026 Australian Open. He breaks down comprehensive victories for Rybakina, Pegula, and Sinner. He also offers his thoughts on the fascinating context of Djokovic's 2026 AO run, previews the AO SFs, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Rybakina/Swiatek - 5:20

Pegula/Anisimova - 17:38

Women's Singles SF Preview - 25:30

Djokovic/Musetti...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Day 10 of the 2026 Australian Open. He offers his thoughts on definitive victories for Sabalenka, Alcaraz and Svitolina. He also breaks down a particularly impressive Zverev victory, previews Day 11's Quartefinal matches, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Zverev/Tien - 12:25

Sabalenka/Jovic - 24:40

Svitolina/Gauff - 30:14

Alcaraz/De Minaur - 37:45

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Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Day 9 of the 2026 Australian Open. He offers his thoughts on sensational performances from Pegula, Shelton, and Musetti. He also previews what promises to be an exceptional Quarterfinal Round of action at the year's first major, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Pegula/Keys - 5:45

Shelton/Ruud - 13:30

Musetti/Fritz - 19:30

Anisimova/Xi...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Days 6, 7, and 8 at the 2026 Australian Open. He offers his thoughts on the continued ascent of the California kids (Tien, Jovic). He also shares his takes on dramatic victories for Sinner and Gauff, the quietly cruising Svitolina and De Minaur, the most intriguing storylines of Week Two, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Biggest Headlines - 6:05

No Ad, No Problem Founder John Parsons joins Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin to preview the 2026 ITA Women's Kickoff Weekend. They breakdown all fourteen regions, naming those hosts most in danger of being knocked off, the hosts on upset alert, and the hosts most likely to advance to the National Indoor Championships. They also breakdown the most intriguing matchups of the weekend, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks
Host team is NOT the favorite - 5:40
Host on Upset Alert - 11:20
Locks - 48:05
Five matchups to watch for - 59:35

Laurel Springs
Ranked among...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Day 5 of the 2026 Australian Open. He offers his thoughts on a fantastic day for the Men's elder statesmen (Wawrinka, Cilic, Djokovic). He also examines a dramatic day of deciding set tennis for the women, shares his takeaways on breakout performances from Quinn and Spizzirri, previews a FANTASTIC Day 6, plus SO much more!!

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Biggest Storylines - 10:30

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Day 4 of the 2026 Australian Open. He breaks down a perfect day of results for the Men's Singles Seeds. He also offers his thoughts on another tremendous day for the ascending WTA Teenage Stars, debates the biggest threat to a Sabalenka/Gauff SF remaining in the draw, previews a FANTASTIC Day 5 schedule, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Bi...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Day 3 of the 2026 Australian Open. He reflects upon a relatively simple opening round for many of the tournament's top title contenders. He also breaks down a marvelous R1 of results for men with college tennis ties, looks at those players continuing to trend upwards, previews Day 4's action, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Biggest Storylines - 6:00

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recap Day 2 of the 2026 Australian Open. He breaks down a day of Women's Singles results defined by the game's 21U rising stars. He also offers his thoughts on another sound day of results for the OG #NextGenATP crew, a fantastic performance from Learner Tien, Day 3's schedule, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Biggest Storylines - 4:26

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Day 1 of the 2026 Australian Open. He looks at a rare dominant day of slam play for the Men's seeds. He also breaks down a trio of Women's Upsets, marvels at a spectacular slam debut for 2x NCAA Singles Champion Michael Zheng, previews Day 2, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Biggest Storylines - 5:30

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps a rare Semifinal Friday in the pro tennis world. He offers his thoughts on a teenaged filled Championship Weekend on the WTA Tour. He also breaks down the continued excellence of Sebastian Baez, a fantastic week for the Czech men, an intriguing AO Day 1 schedule, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

WTA Adelaide - 5:00

ATP Au...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin previews the 2026 Australian Open Men's Singles Draw. He runs through each quarter of the draw and discusses the best R1 and potential matchups. He also offers his thoughts on the winners and losers of the draw configuration, shares his predictions for how he sees things unfolding, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Alcaraz (1) Quarter - 4:45

Best R1...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin previews the 2026 Australian Open Women's Singles Draw. He runs through each quarter of the draw and discusses the best R1 and potential matchups. He also offers his thoughts on the winners and losers of the draw configuration, shares his predictions for how he sees things unfolding, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Sabalenka (1) Quarter - 5:01

Best R1...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps a rare Semifinal Friday in the pro tennis world. He offers his thoughts on a teenaged filled Championship Weekend on the WTA Tour. He also breaks down the continued excellence of Sebastian Baez, a fantastic week for the Czech men, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

WTA Adelaide - 6:30

ATP Adelaide - 14:35

ATP Au...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Thursday's action from across the pro tennis world. He breaks down the field of 16 men/women who successfully qualified into the Australian Open Main Draw. He also offers his thoughts on the day's quarterfinal action in Adelaide, Auckland, Hobart, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

AO Women's Qualifying - 6:33

AO Men's Qualifying - 15:35

WT...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Wednesday's action from across the pro tennis world. He offers his thoughts on another thoroughly intriguing day of results in Brisbane, sets up a fascinating final round of qualifying action at the Australian Open, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

ATP Auckland - 8:25

WTA Adelaide - 22:10

ATP Adelaide - 28:35

WTA Hobart...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Tuesday's action from across the pro tennis world. He breaks down a fascinating day of results from the women competing in Adelaide, multiple men's upsets in Adelaide, a busy day of qualifying action in Melbourne, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

WTA Adelaide - 6:15

ATP Adelaide - 15:45

WTA Hobart - 23:20

ATP Au...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin breaks down the players with the most on the line entering the 2026 Australian Open. He offers his thoughts on those players looking to alter their legacies with strong performances in Melbourne, looks at those hoping to cement their status as an all-time great with serious runs, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Honorable Mention - 6:28

Novak Dj...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin previews Week Two of the 2026 season. He breaks down the most important storylines at the week's four tour-level events, recaps Day 1 of qualifying at the Australian Open, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks
WTA Adelaide - 5:10

ATP Adelaide - 15:20

WTA Hobart - 21:48

ATP Auckland - 28:00

AO Women's Qualifying - 36:40

AO...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin previews the 2026 Australian Open Women's and Men's Qualifying Singles Draws. He names his favorite sections of the draw, examines the most intriguing matchups, offers his predictions, and SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Women's Q Draw Overview - 5:21

Best Sections - 11:05

Best R1/Hope to see matches - 14:32

Women's Predictions - 16:44

Me...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his thoughts on the first Championship Sunday of the 2026 season. He breaks down a spectacular United Cup Final, recaps fantastic finishes in Hong Kong, Brisbane, and Auckland, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

United Cup - 7:37

ATP Hong Kong - 24:17

WTA Brisbane - 39:49

ATP Brisbane - 45:30

WTA Auckland - 52:26

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his thoughts on Saturday's action from across the professional tennis world. He breaks down two fascinating United Cup Semifinal ties, previews the first Championship Sunday of the new season, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

United Cup - 4:21

ATP Hong Kong - 23:42

WTA Brisbane - 36:12

ATP Brisbane - 40:10

WTA Au...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his thoughts on Friday's action from across the professional tennis world. He breaks down a monumental opening week for Marta Kostyuk, looks at a big week for American Men in Brisbane, sets up the first Championship weekend of 2026, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

WTA Brisbane - 8:15

United Cup - 21:07

ATP Brisbane - 30:15

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his thoughts on Thursday's action from across the professional tennis world. He shares his takeaways from a blockbuster day of Women's R16 action in Brisbane, breakout victories for a couple of American men, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

WTA Brisbane - 5:06

United Cup - 22:10

ATP Brisbane - 28:13

ATP Hong Kong...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his thoughts on Wednesday's action from across the professional tennis world. He shares his takeaways from a testy day for the top Women's seeds in Brisbane, an exceptional day of tennis in Hong Kong, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

WTA Brisbane - 4:55

United Cup - 21:46

ATP Hong Kong - 35:00

ATP Br...