The Mini-Break [Tennis Podcast]

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin breaks down Tuesday's Championship action in Tokyo and Beijing. He offers his thoughts on what impressed him most in the performances of Djokovic and Alcaraz. He also shares his thoughts on yesterday's Women's R16 action in Beijing, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

ATP Tokyo - 4:45

ATP Beijing - 17:05

Sinner out for remainder of 2026 - 30:20

WTA Beijing - 36:25

WTA 125K + ATP Challengers - 44:40

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

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin breaks down a BUSY weekend of action on the WTA and ATP Tours. He shares his thoughts on a resurgent Novak Djokovic in Beijing. He also offers his takeaways from early Rybakina/Sabalenka losses, names which women have impressed most in Beijing, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

ATP Beijing - 2:30

WTA Beijing - 21:50

ATP Tokyo - 38:45

WTA 125Ks + ATP Challengers - 44:55

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

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin breaks down Friday's action across the ATP and WTA Tours. He marvels at the continued excellence of Arthur Fils. He also breaks down a jampacked day of Women's action in Beijing, offers his thoughts on Djokovic's three-set victory over Bu, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

ATP Tokyo - 2:30

WTA Beijing - 15:55

ATP Beijing - 23:10

WTA 125Ks + ATP Challengers - 28:40

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

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin breaks down Thursday's action across the ATP and WTA Tours. He marvels at the numerous Men's upsets in Tokyo and Beijing. He also breaks down his favorite Beijing R1 results and previews his favorite R2 battles for the women, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

ATP Tokyo - 2:45

ATP Beijing - 27:50

WTA Beijing - 34:05

WTA 125Ks + ATP Challengers - 38:50

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

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin previews this week's WTA and ATP Tour action. He breaks down the draws in Beijing and Tokyo. He names the players most in need of a big week, offers his predictions for the action, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

WTA Beijing - 5:05

ATP Beijing - 24:20

ATP Tokyo - 30:05

WTA 125Ks + ATP Challengers - 35:35

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

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin breaks down the last few days of WTA and ATP Tour Championship action. He names his top performers from last weekend's Laver Cup and BJK Cup events. He also breaks down title runs for Fernandez, Medvedev, Davidovich Fokina, and Birrell, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Great weekend - 2:05

Laver Cup - 5:40

BJK Cup - 28:00

WTA Singapore - 39:00

ATP Hangzhou - 48:15

ATP Chengdu - 54:20

WTA Seoul - 59:05

WTA 125Ks + ATP Challenger action - 1:02:30

Laurel...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin breaks down this week's WTA and ATP Tour action. He shares his thoughts on the favorites at this week's BJK Cup Finals. He also offers updates on this week's tour-level action in Singapore, Seoul, Hangzhou, Chengdu, and SO much more!!

Episode Notes

BJK Cup - 3:00

Laver Cup Day 1 - 13:30

WTA Singapore - 17:55

WTA Seoul - 21:25

ATP Hangzhou - 24:20

ATP Chengdu - 25:30

WTA 125Ks + ATP Challenger action - 27:15

Laurel Springs
Ranked among the best online private s...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin breaks down this week's WTA and ATP Tour action. He breaks down what he's watching for at the 2026 Laver Cup. He also previews the draws in Singapore, Seoul, Hangzhou, and Chengdu, offers his predictions for the week, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Laver Cup - 2:45

WTA Singapore - 20:00

WTA Seoul - 25:40

ATP Hangzhou - 29:40

ATP Chengdu - 34:55

WTA 125Ks + ATP Challenger action - 38:05

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

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps last week's ATP and WTA Tour action. He runs through the most notable developments of last weekend's Davis Cup Qualifying Results. He also offers his thoughts on Jovic's title run in Guadalajara, a week for the grinders in Sao Paulo, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

ATP Davis Cup - 4:30

WTA Guadalajara - 25:20

WTA Sao Paulo - 31:30

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

Bounces Author and No Challenges Remaining Host Ben Rothenberg joins Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin to breakdown the biggest WTA and ATP Tour storylines of the 2026 season's homestretch. 

Episode Notes

WTA Finals Race (Alex WTA #1) - 8:10

How will things go in Indian Wells/Charlotte (Ben WTA #1) - 16:30

How much of Alcaraz/Sinner do we see (Ben ATP #1) - 27:00

Does anyone want to make the Men's Tour Finals (Alex ATP #1) - 35:10

Was the Qinwen US Open run real (Alex WTA #2) - 43:45

Will Gauff stay on track (Ben WTA #2...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin shares his post-US Open ATP Top 10 Rankings. He breaks down the difficulty of organizing #5-#10 in the rankings, offers his thoughts on the 2026 season of each of his Top 10 men to date, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

2026 Big Picture - 3:25

#1 Jannik Sinner - 9:30

#2 Carlos Alcaraz - 16:00

#3 Alex Zverev - 19:10

#4 Ben Shelton - 22:50

#5 Novak Djokovic - 28:50

#6 Arthur Fils - 33:55

#7 Frances Tiafoe - 38:45

#8 Rafa Jodar - 45:35

#9 Taylor Fritz - 50:25

#10 Tommy Paul +...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin shares his post-US Open WTA Top 10 Rankings. He breaks down Rybakina's ascent to World #1, offers his thoughts on the 2026 season of each of his Top 10 women to date, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

#1 Elena Rybakina - 3:40

#2 Aryna Sabalenka - 10:27

#3 Coco Gauff - 16:50

#4 Mirra Andreeva - 23:00

#5 Jessica Pegula - 29:35

#6 Linda Noskova - 33:55

#7 Marta Kostyuk - 37:25

#8 Iga Swiatek - 40:40

#9 Elina Svitolina - 43:50

#10 Karolina Muchova + Honorable Mention - 46:20

Laurel Springs
Ranked...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin plays a post-US Open ATP edition of "Stock up, Stock down". He breaks down the players who did the most to change the perception of themselves with their results in New York. Players covered include the American Men, the original #NextGenATP generation, Alexander Blockx, plus SO many more!!

Episode Notes

Stock Up: The Americans - 3:35

Stock Down: Taylor Fritz + Alex De Minaur - 16:05

Stock Down: Daniil Medvedev + Andrey Rublev + Casper Ruud - 22:05

Stock Up: Stefanos Tsitsipas + Karen Khachanov - 28:55

Stock Up: Alexander...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin plays a post-US Open WTA edition of "Stock up, Stock down". He breaks down the players who did the most to change the perception of themselves with their results in New York. Players covered include Linda Noskova, Zheng Qinwen, the U23 Crew, plus SO many more!!

Episode Notes

Stock Up: Linda Noskova - 4:10

Stock Down: Amanda Anisimova - 15:15

Stock Up: Qinwen Zheng - 22:25

Stock Up: The U23 crew - 28:10

Stock Down: Sabalenka/Pegula/Svitolina - 32:25

Stock Up: Kostyuk/Potapova - 39:30<...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Championship Weekend at the 2026 US Open. He breaks down the relentless aggression that carried Elena Rybakina to a first US Open title. He also offers his thoughts on the pivotal second set tiebreak that allowed Zverev to separate from Shelton, where things stand in the Race to the Tour Finals, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Rybakina knocks off Sabalenka - 7:40

Quick look at the WTA Race - 28:35

Zverev takes out Shelton - 35:20

Quick look at the ATP Race - 56:40

Laurel...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Day 12 of the 2026 US Open. He breaks down a dominant serving performance from Aryna Sabalenka. He also recap Rybakina's victory over Gauff, offers his first thoughts on the Women's Final + Final thoughts on Friday's Men's Singles Semifinals, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Sabalenka/Pegula - 3:30

Rybakina/Gauff - 13:00

Women's Final Preview - 19:05

Final Men's SF thoughts - 23:55

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

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Day 9 of the 2026 US Open. He breaks down exceptional performances from Qinwen Zheng and Alexander Blockx. He also power ranks all eight Singles Quarterfinal battles, names his top contenders entering the homestretch, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

The Race for WTA #1 - 2:20

Rybakina/Qinwen - 15:00

Gauff/Andreeva - 25:15

Khachanov/Blockx - 36:00

Zverev/BVDZ - 41:35

SF Power Rankings - 44:35

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

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Day 9 of the 2026 US Open. He breaks down exceptional performances from Qinwen Zheng and Alexander Blockx. He also power ranks all eight Singles Quarterfinal battles, names his top contenders entering the homestretch, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Shelton/Alcaraz - 4:45

Sabalenka/Noskova - 23:10

Tiafoe/Michelsen - 31:20

Pegula/Navarro - 39:35

Laurel Springs
Ranked among the best online private schools in the United States, Laurel Springs stands out when it comes to support, personalization, community, and college prep. They give their K...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Day 9 of the 2026 US Open. He breaks down exceptional performances from Qinwen Zheng and Alexander Blockx. He also power ranks all eight Singles Quarterfinal battles, names his top contenders entering the homestretch, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Stats entering the QFs - 2:05

Top Performer: Qinwen Zheng - 12:50

Top Performer: Alexander Blockx - 25:50

Upsets - 34:20

Going the Distance - 40:10

Other Women's Results - 47:50

Other Men's Results - 50:55

The Americans - 51:50

Players w/College...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Day 8 of the 2026 US Open. He breaks down peak performances from Linda Noskova and Frances Tiafoe. He also offers his thoughts on a steady day for Sabalenka and Alcaraz, the continued excellence of the Americans, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Top Performer: Frances Tiafoe - 4:20

Top Performer: Linda Noskova - 13:25

Upsets - 20:15

Other Women's Results - 26:05

Other Men's Results - 30:40

The Americans - 34:00

Players w/College Ties - 35:20

Tomorrow's H2H numbers - 35:45

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Day 7 of the 2026 US Open. He breaks down a hectic day of action for fans of American Tennis, examining the performances of Keys, Fritz, Jovic, and others. He also offers a Power Ranking of his favorite R4 matches, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Storyline #1: American Women take center stage (Keys, Jovic, Anisimova) - 4:05

Storyline #2: American Men take center stage (Fritz, Tien) - 24:15

Upsets - 36:45

Going the Distance - 42:25

Other Women's Results - 45:45

Other Men's Results - 50:10

...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Day 6 of the 2026 US Open. He breaks down the first two big upsets of the Women's Singles draw. He also offers his thoughts on an ascending Carlos Alcaraz, previews a LOADED Day 7 of action, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Storyline #1: Two Top 10 Women's Seeds Fall - 4:10

Storyline #2: Can anyone truly threaten Alcaraz - 13:20

Upsets - 20:05

Going the Distance - 24:05

Other Women's Results - 26:55

Other Men's Results - 30:00

Day 7's Best Matches - 32:45

Laurel Springs<...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Day 5 of the 2026 US Open. He breaks down more deciding set success for the Women's Singles Seeds in R2. He also offers his thoughts on the wide open Men's Singles field, previews a LOADED Day 6 of action, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Storyline #1: The Women's Seeds go 9-1 in R2 deciding sets - 3:55

Storyline #2: Two more Men's Top 10 seeds fall - 14:05

Upsets - 19:05

Going the Distance - 23:10

Other Women's Results - 26:10

Other Men's Results - 30:00

The...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Day 4 of the 2026 US Open. He breaks down the stunning upset of Rafa Jodar. He also previews a LOADED R3 in the Women's Singles Draw, names his top performers from Wednesday's action, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Storyline #1: Jodar blitzed - 2:25

Storyline #2: Will be a LOADED Women's R3 - 14:45

Upsets - 24:45

Other Men's Results - 32:00

The Americans - 37:10

Players w/College Ties - 38:55

Day 5's Best Matches - 39:50

Laurel Springs
Ranked among the b...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Day 3 of the 2026 US Open. He offers his thoughts on the evening's five set battle between Zverev and Sonego. He also breaks down an impressive opening round for the Women's title contenders, shares his thoughts on the performance of the Americans, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Storyline #1: Zverev/Sonego - 4:45

Storyline #2: All the Top Women's Contenders reach R2 - 12:30

Upsets - 25:35

Going the Distance - 27:05

Other Women's Results - 30:05

Other Men's Results - 32:10

The Americans - 34:20<...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Day 2 of the 2026 US Open. He offers his thoughts on a sensational Tsitsipas performance to upset Fils. He also breaks down the day's most impressive performances, previews Day 3's most intriguing matches, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Storyline #1: A moment for Tsitsipas - 4:40

Storyline #2: Monday's Top Performers - 13:05

Upsets - 21:25

Going the Distance - 24:20

Other Women's Results - 30:10

Other Men's Results - 32:35

The Americans - 35:55

Players w/College Ties - 38:05

Day 3's...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Day 1 of the 2026 US Open. He offers his thoughts on Navone's shocking opening round upset of Djokovic. He also breaks down his most impressive performances of the day, looks at the results of the Americans/players with college ties, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Storyline #1: Djokovic falls - 2:15

Storyline #2: A few IMPRESSIVE starts - 19:05

Storyline #3: Toby Samuel - 31:20

Going the Distance - 36:30

Other Women's Results - 39:25

Other Men's Results - 41:40

The Americans - 43:05

Players...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin previews the 2026 US Open Men's Singles Draw. He breaks down each quarter of the draw, naming his dangerous floaters and favorite first round matches. He also offers his tournament predictions, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Zverev Quarter - 4:00

FAA Quarter - 13:25

Djokovic Quarter - 20:00

Alcaraz Quarter - 26:20

Laurel Springs
Ranked among the best online private schools in the United States, Laurel Springs stands out when it comes to support, personalization, community, and college prep. They give their K-12 students the r...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin previews the 2026 US Open Women's Singles Draw. He breaks down each quarter of the draw, naming his dangerous floaters and favorite first round matches. He also offers his tournament predictions, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Sabalenka Quarter - 3:15

Pegula Quarter - 12:45

Gauff Quarter - 20:45

Rybakina Quarter - 26:50

Laurel Springs
Ranked among the best online private schools in the United States, Laurel Springs stands out when it comes to support, personalization, community, and college prep. They give their K-12 students the r...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin breaks down this week's action in Philadelphia, Monterrey, Winston Salem, and New York. He also offers his thoughts on long shot contenders for the US Open Title, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

WTA Philly 125K - 3:45

WTA Monterrey - 19:55

ATP Winston Salem - 25:15

US Open Women's Qualifying - 32:50

US Open Men's Qualifying - 35:15

US Open Reasonable Long Shots - 41:15

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

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin breaks down a busy week of action in the Pro Tennis World. He offers his thoughts on this weeks action in Philadelphia, Monterrey, and Winston Salem. He also shares his takeaways from the first few days of US Open action, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

WTA Philly 125K - 5:15

WTA Monterrey - 19:05

ATP Winston Salem - 24:05

US Open Women's Qualifying - 30:30

US Open Men's Qualifying - 34:50

US Open Mixed Doubles - 37:25

US Open "Make or Break" All...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his final thoughts on the action in Cincinnati. He breaks down the first title run of 2026 for Coco Gauff + shares his thoughts on a signature title for Arthur Fils. He also reiterates the case for an American Champion at the US Open, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Coco finally in the Winner's Circle - 5:35

Other WTA Cincinnati takeaways - 15:15

Fils brings home Cincy title - 24:20

Other ATP Cincinnati takeaways - 32:25

The case for an American sweep in NY - 36:00

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his takeaways from the opening week of play in Cincinnati. He breaks down all eight quarterfinal battles, names his most impressive performers of the event, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

WTA Cincinnati - 2:20

ATP Cincinnati - 28:55

Laurel Springs
Ranked among the best online private schools in the United States, Laurel Springs stands out when it comes to support, personalization, community, and college prep. They give their K-12 students the resources, guidance, and learning opportunities they need at each grade level to reach their f...

Tennis.com Editorial Producer David Kane joins Editor-in-CHief Alex Gruskin to recap the biggest storylines percolating on the WTA and ATP Tours. They take a look at the leading contenders heading into the US Open, breaking down where things currently stand at the top of the WTA and ATP tennis world.

Episode Notes

Race for the WTA #1 - 3:30
Sabalenka rankings? - 11:25
Is Iga back? - 21:45
Any other WTA vibes? - 32:05
Is it Medvedover? - 42:00
Name a non-Zverev OG #NextGenATP player at their best - 48:50
If not Sincaraz, who is...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his takeaways from broadcasting this week's Brownsburg (Indianapolis) Challenger event. He shares his thoughts on Andre Ilagan's remarkable summer. He also debates the upside of Daniel Milavsky, names his most impressive performers of the event, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Andre Ilagan - 8:05

Daniel Milavsky - 16:25

Harris, JPJ, and other takes - 21:20

Laurel Springs
Ranked among the best online private schools in the United States, Laurel Springs stands out when it comes to support, personalization, community, and college prep. They give t...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his final thoughts on the WTA and ATP action from Canada. He breaks down exceptional efforts in title runs for Swiatek and Shelton, and names his other biggest winners of the event. He then previews the upcoming action in Cincinnati, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Swiatek finds her form + other WTA takes - 5:35

Shelton defends Canada title + other ATP takes - 26:10

WTA Cincinnati Preview - 39:30

ATP Cincinnati Preview - 46:10

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

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Tuesday's WTA and ATP action in Canada. He breaks down the all-college tennis lineup in Montreal, marvels at exceptional performances from Jodar and Shelton, offers his thoughts on another gutsy Rybakina victory, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Jodar + Shelton separate from the pack - 4:55

Learner Tien...Tier 1 hard court guy? - 18:25

Nakashima reaches b2b SFs - 22:25

Rybakina survives + Gauff advances - 25:05

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

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps this past weekend's ATP and WTA action in Canada. He offers his thoughts on the rise of the #NextGenATP2.0/fall of the original #NextGenATP crew. He also attempts to sift through a stacked top of the Women's Tennis World, breaks down a big week for Swiatek, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

The #NextGenATP2.0 is here - 3:40

Might this be Iga's moment? - 22:05

Top US Open Contenders: Rybakina, Svitolina, or Osaka - 29:55

Is it time to be worried about Sabalenka? - 36:20

...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his Power Rankings for the Round of 16 in Canada. He breaks down which players have the most on the line, which matchups he finds most intriguing, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Best Women's R16 Matches - 3:20

Best Men's R16 Matches - 15:15

Laurel Springs
Ranked among the best online private schools in the United States, Laurel Springs stands out when it comes to support, personalization, community, and college prep. They give their K-12 students the resources, guidance, and learning opportunities they need at each g...

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps Thursday's ATP and WTA action in Canada. He offers his thoughts on a trio of Tour Finals contenders, breaks down the fascinating top half of the Women's Singles Draw, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Kostyuk + Jodar + Fils: Tour Finals Contenders - 3:45

Anisimova survives, De Minaur stumbles - 16:25

All Top 16 seeds advance to Women's R4 (top half) - 35:00

A surprise Men's SFist assured - 29:15

Friday Preview - 32:20

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