The Mini-Break [Tennis Podcast]

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 college prep. They give their K-12 students the resources, guidance, and learning opportunities they need at each grade level to reach their full potential.

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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) - 50:30

How will the Americans do in Davis/BJK Cups (Ben ATP #2) - 55:15

Do any of Jodar/Fonseca/Mensik/Tien/Michelsen/Blockx pop (Alex ATP #2) - 1:00:15

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 grade level to reach their full potential.

Find Cracked Racquets

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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 + Honorable Mention - 55:25

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 full potential.

Find Cracked Racquets

Website: https://www.crackedracquets.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/crackedracquets

Twitter: https://twitter.com/crackedracquets

Facebook: https://Facebook.com/crackedracquets

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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 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 full potential.

Find Cracked Racquets

Website: https://www.crackedracquets.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/crackedracquets

Twitter: https://twitter.com/crackedracquets

Facebook: https://Facebook.com/crackedracquets

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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 Blockx + Daniel Merida - 32:10

Stock Down: Players #5-#8 in the rankings - 38:25

Stock Up: Opportunity for the #NextGen2.0 - 40:20

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 resources, guidance, and learning opportunities they need at each grade level to reach their full potential.

Find Cracked Racquets

Website: https://www.crackedracquets.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/crackedracquets

Twitter: https://twitter.com/crackedracquets

Facebook: https://Facebook.com/crackedracquets

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/crackedracquets

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