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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
New Balance Winner's Circle with Lloyd Harris...Again
The big hitting 21 year old from Cape Town is back in the New Balance's Winner's Circle, after taking his second career Challenger title in Stockton, California. His confidence is on a new level. Hear why, and what his win means for South African tennis.
The Coffee Cast with Cation: James Duckworth Edition
5 surgeries in two years. And yet James Duckworth is back, and progressing back toward the top 100, with one Challenger title, and a semifinal last week in Tiburon. The Cary champion tells us about what he did off the court during that time, the perspective he gained, and maybe the low moment in this comeback. We chat over some lowly American coffee, and as always, the company was delightful.
Hear from newly minted Wells Fargo Tiburon Challenger Champion Michael Mmoh, the newest member of the ATP's Top 100. Back to back titles in Columbus and Tiburon get him there for the first time in his career. We play compare and contrast:1) His new and old coaches (Alex Waske and Glenn Weiner) 2) His style of play now vs. 2016 3) and the style of play over the last two weeks. Hear from Mike inside the New Balance Tennis Winner's Circle.
