The Behind the Racquet with Mike Cation and Noah Rubin

The Behind the Racquet Podcast is the best glimpse you can get in to the ins and outs of professional tennis, told by its players, and voiced by Tennis Star Noah Rubin, and his podcast partner, tennis commentator Mike Cation.

	The Coffee Cast with Cation: Alex Rybakov edition
	While in Chicago for the ITA National Indoor Championship, I had the chance to sit down with Alex Rybakov, 22 year old TCU Senior, currently ranked #456 in the ATP Rankings, #262 in the ITF World Tennis Tour Rankings, and #8 in the ITA Collegiate Rankings.  That's a lot. It's going to be a complex process for Alex when he goes pro in a couple of months. We sat down and talked about that, his choice to attend TCU, his relationship with the top Americans that he competed with in juniors, and how he's balancing pro aspirations with a full college schedule. Also, thanks to Alex for making some extra time on a busy weekend here in Chicago.
	Posted on 18 February 2019
	New Balance Winner's Circle with Mitchell Krueger
	Mitchell Krueger tells the story of his massive changes in the offseason. A new coach. A new living situation. A new forehand. It's an incredible story.  Hear how he won the RBC Tennis Championships of Dallas.
	Posted on 11 February 2019
	The Coffee Cast with Cation: Neal Skupski edition
	This was a fun one, as Neal Skupski joined me after advancing to the Mixed Doubles QF on Monday night.  We talk British tennis, his hair, the dirty world of doubles, and the family dynamic involved with his brother Ken.
	Posted on 22 January 2019
	The Coffee Cast with Cation: Thanasi Kokkinakis
	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 the tennis ranks, and what it's like being one of the highest profile athletes this week in Melbourne.
	Posted on 13 January 2019
	The Coffee Cast with Cation: Christopher Eubanks Edition
	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.
	Posted on 13 January 2019
	The Coffee Cast with Cation: Jarmere Jenkins Edition
	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.
	Posted on 11 January 2019
	New Balance Winner's Circle with Reilly Opelka
	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.
	Posted on 17 November 2018
	New Balance Winner's Circle with Tommy Paul
	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've still got to sit down to discuss some random topics (including Pumpkin), this was a good start.  More next week!
	Posted on 5 November 2018
	The Coffee Cast with Cation: Reilly Opelka Edition
	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.
	Posted on 19 October 2018
	New Balance Winner's Circle with Bjorn Fratangelo
	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.
	Posted on 15 October 2018