The Mini-Break [Tennis Podcast]

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin breaks down a busy Wednesday in the pro tennis world. He offers his thoughts on the waive of early upsets (Musetti, Medvedev, Rublev, Cobolli) in Monte Carlo. He also offers his thoughts on a strong start for Andreeva in Linz, gives an update on this week's WTA 125K and ATP Challenger action, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

So many upsets in Monte Carlo - 4:40

Other Monte Carlo takeaways - 26:25

WTA Linz - 34:35

WTA Madrid 125K - 41:00

ATP Challengers - 41:50

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Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin previews week two of the 2026 Clay Court season. He breaks down each quarter of the draw at this week's ATP 1000 level event in Monte Carlo. He also offers his thoughts on the WTA action in Linz and Madrid, peaks in on the week's six (!!) ATP Challenger events, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Monte Carlo Preview - 4:40

Alcaraz Quarter - 17:10

Musetti Quarter - 19:40

Zverev Quarter - 24:15

Sinner Quarter - 30:40

WTA Linz Preview - 34:40

WTA Madrid 125K - 41:30

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps the first week of the 2026 Clay Court season. He marvels at a maiden Tour-Level title run for Rafa Jodar. He also offers his thoughts on Pegula's defense of her title in Charleston, a dramatic Houston Final, the biggest winners of the week, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

ATP Marrakech - 5:45

WTA Charleston - 23:00

ATP Houston - 36:50

ATP Bucharest - 46:25

WTA Bogota - 55:06

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

Penn Men's Tennis Head Coach Rich Bonfiglio joins the show to breakdown his team's success in the 2026 season. He breaks down the team's performance in a dramatic 4-3 victory over Princeton, discusses what has clicked so well for his program in Year 4 on the job, offers his thoughts on what makes Ivy League Tennis special, plus SO much more!!

You can watch the full episode on YouTube by clicking here.

Laurel Springs
Ranked among the best online private schools in the United States, Laurel Springs stands out when it comes to support, personalization, community, a...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his ATP Top 10 rankings after the first three months of the 2026 season. He breaks down the Top 10 into tiers of contenders, shares his expectations for each player heading into the clay court season, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Reflecting on the first three months - 5:50

Tier 1 - 17:35

Tier 2 - 26:25
3. Novak Djokovic
4. Alex Zverev

Tier 3 + Honorable Mention - 35:00
5. Daniil Medvedev
6. Alex De Minaur
7. Felix Auger Aliassime
8. Arthur Fils
9. Lorenzo Musetti
10. The...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his WTA Top 10 rankings after the first three months of the 2026 season. He breaks down the Top 10 into tiers of contenders, shares his expectations for each player heading into the clay court season, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Reflecting on 2026's first-third - 7:30

Tier 1 - 20:40

Tier 2 - 35:15
3. Jessica Pegula - 39:20
4. Iga Swiatek - 43:50
5. Coco Gauff - 49:35

Tier 3 + Honarble - 54:05
6. Victoria Mboko - 59:35
7. Elina Svitolina - 1:06:45
8. Amanda Anisimova - 1:03:25
9. Karolina...

Junior Tennis Champions Center CEO Martin Blackman joins Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin to discuss how players within the JTCC development program continue to benefit from the Laurel Springs School. He also shares his thoughts on the various ways a tennis program can best ingrain itself within a community, and why returning to the JTCC was the right opportunity for him.

Laurel Springs Partnerships Specialist Jack Dempsey then joins the two to breakdown how the JTCC has become a model for success in student-athlete development.

You can watch the full episode on YouTube by clicking here.

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Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps the front-half of Championship Weekend at the Miami Open. He offers his thoughts on a Sabalenka Sunshine Swing sweep, breaks down two dominant serving performances from Lehecka and Sinner, previews Sunday's Men's Singles Final, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Sabalenka sweeps the Sunshine Double - 5:30

Lehecka brings his best - 22:00

Sinner keeps on...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Thursday's Miami Open action. He offers some context to the remarkable 2.5 year run of Aryna Sabalenka, breaks down dominant performances from Gauff, Sinner, and Zverev, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Sabalenka reaches ANOTHER final - 4:00

Gauff dominates - 17:45

Men's SFs now set - 26:02

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Laurel Springs
Ranked among th...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps the first six Quarterfinal matches at the Miami Open. He offers his thoughts on which Women's Semifinalist has impressed most in Miami. He then looks at a resurgent Arthur Fils, shares his take on the steady success of Jiri Lehecka, previews the upcoming Championship Weekend action, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Which Women's SFist has impressed th...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin shares his observations from Day 7 of the Miami Open. He offers his thoughts on another Mboko victory over Andreeva, a fantastic day for the Americans, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Mboko knocks off Andreeva again - 3:30

Atmane + Cerundolo pull off upsets - 21:00

Gauff takes another step + other women's thoughts - 31:10

Tiafoe kn...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin shares his observations from Day 6 of the Miami Open. He offers his thoughts on Korda's upset victory over Alcaraz, Jessica Pegula's case for the #3 position, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Korda knocks off Alcaraz - 2:00

Gibson + Baptiste keep rolling - 17:20

Is Pegula the current #3 - 22:30

Landaluce does it again - 26:10

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Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin shares his observations from Day 5 of the Miami Open. He offers his thoughts on the plethora of early round Men's upsets, breaks down an "as expected" day for the women, previews Day 6, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Men's Upsets - 5:40

Other Miami Men's takeaways - 23:55

The "As expected" Women - 30:30

Women's Up...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin shares his observations from the first four days of play at the Miami Open. He offers his thoughts on another stunning Swiatek loss, breaks down a rare HOT start for teenagers in the Men's Draw, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Swiatek upset by Linette - 7:50

Eala + Gauff + Andreeva survive - 17:30

Other Miami Women's ta...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief offers his final thoughts on the Indian Wells Men's Singles Event. He breaks down a FANTASTIC final between Sinner and Medvedev. He then previews the Miami Open Men's Singles Draw, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Indian Wells Final Thoughts - 9:55

Miami Draw Preview - 26:35

Alcaraz Quarter - 28:15

Musetti Quarter - 33:55

Zverev Qu...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief offers his final thoughts on the Indian Wells Women's Singles Event. He breaks down a FANTASTIC final between Sabaelnka and Rybakina. He then previews the Miami Open Women's Singles Draw, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Indian Wells Final Thoughts - 8:35

Miami Draw Preview - 22:00

Sabalenka Quarter - 25:45

Rybakina Quarter - 29:30

Gauff Qu...

Cracked Racquets Road Producer James Tait joins Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin to breakdown the latest action from Indian Wells and the Arizona Tennis Classic (Phoenix Challenger)

Episode Bookmarks

Indian Wells Women's Singles - 3:00

Indian Wells Men's Singles - 31:00

Phoenix CH - 50:00

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

Cracked Racquets Road Producer James Tait joins Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin to breakdown the latest action from Indian Wells and the Phoenix Challenger

Episode Bookmarks

Indian Wells Women's Singles - 3:00

Indian Wells Men's Singles - 31:00

Phoenix CH - 50:00

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Laurel Springs
Ranked among the best online private schools in the United States, Laurel Springs stands out whe...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Friday's action from Indian Wells. He names his standout performers from Day 3, previews a LOADED Day 4 schedule of Round 2 action, and SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Women's Singles - 4:50

Men's Singles - 23:20

Day 4 Preview - 30:45

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

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Thursday's action from Indian Wells. He names his standout performers from Day 2, previews a LOADED Day 3 schedule of Round 2 action, and SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Women's Singles - 5:15

Men's Singles - 14:45

Day 3 Preview - 22:15

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

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin previews the Indian Wells Men's Singles Draw. He breaks down each quarter of the draw, names his sleepers looming within each section, shares his predictions, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Alcaraz Quarter - 4:50

Djokovic Quarter - 12:00

Zverev Quarter - 16:40

Sinner Quarter - 23:40

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Laurel Springs
Ranked among th...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin previews the Indian Wells Women's Singles Draw. He breaks down each quarter of the draw, names his sleepers looming within each section, shares his predictions, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Sabalenka Quarter - 7:00

Gauff Quarter - 13:30

Rybakina Quarter - 20:35

Swiatek Quarter - 25:30

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Laurel Springs
Ranked among th...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin names his most notable ATP Stock Up, Stock Down movers from the month of February. He offers his thoughts on the return to form of FAA, another step forward for Jakub Mensik, the befuddling struggles of Casper Ruud, and SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Jakub Mensik - 5:15

Joao Fonseca - 10:50

Felix Auger-Aliassime - 21:40

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Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin names his most notable WTA Stock Up, Stock Down movers from the month of February. He breaks down two breakout title runs for Bejlek and Bucsa, examines the continues struggles of Navarro and Paolini, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Sara Bejlek - 7:32

Peyton Stearns - 16:45

Emma Navarro - 23:10

Jasmine Paolini - 28:55

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his pre-Sunshine Swing ATP Top 10 rankings. He breaks down the crowded race for the #9 and #10 spots. He also shares his expectations for his Top 10 contenders at both Indian Wells and Miami, names the top contenders to knock off either Sinner or Alcaraz in March, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

Overview of February - 5:20

#1 Carlos Al...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin shares his WTA Top 10 rankings to start the month of March. He offers his thoughts on the continued ascent of Mboko. He also gives his reorganized tiers of contenders heading into the Sunshine Swing, lists his expectations for the top WTA players heading into Indian Wells, and SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

#1 Aryna Sabalenka - 7:35

#2 Elena Ry...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin breaks down a busy Championship Sunday in the Pro Tennis World. He reflects on another exceptional week on the clay for Darderi. He also offers his thoughts on the return to form of Stearns and Cobolli, a new career-high for Bucsa, plus SO much more.

Episode Bookmarks

ATP Santiago - 5:05

WTA Austin - 18:30

ATP Ac...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin breaks down the last two days of action from across the Pro Tennis World. He offers his thoughts on a fantastic week of tennis to bring home Title #23 for Daniil Medvedev. He also breaks down a massive week for Tiafoe in Acapulco, Championship Sundays in Austin, Merida, and Santiago, plus SO much more!!

Episode Bookmarks

ATP Dubai - 3:40

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