The Mini-Break [Tennis Podcast]

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin previews the upcoming Championship Weekend in Madrid. He offers his thoughts on the prospects of all four Women's Semifinalists to bring home the title. He also compares the week's of Rafa Jodar and Alexander Blockx, marvels at the continued excellence of Arthur Fils, shares an update on this week's WTA 125K and ATP Challenger Events, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Who's walking away with the Women's crown? - 6:35

Better week: Blockx or Jodar? - 21:50

What do we do with Zverev - 32:14

Can Arthur Fils win RG? - 38:00

WTA 125K update - 41:10

ATP Challenger update - 44:00

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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Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin recaps a busy Tuesday in Madrid. He offers his thoughts on Hailey Baptiste's remarkable three-set upset over World #1 Aryna Sabalenka. He also looks at another big day of results for the 2025 NextGenATP Class, previews a fascinating set of Men's Singles Quarterfinals, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Baptiste upsets Sabalenka - 7:30

Both Ruud and Tsitsipas look the part - 19:25

2025 NextGenATP keep rolling - 25:50

Men's QFs now set - 30:00

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

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Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his thoughts on the first week of action in Madrid. He breaks down a wave of early women's upsets, plus a massive week for the 2025 NextGenATP class. He also names his standout performers from the event thus far, previews the Week Two action, and SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Swiatek, Pegula, Gauff, Rybakina stumble - 7:15

More signature victories for Noskova, Kostyuk, Baptiste, Potapova - 15:45

Andreeva stays lights out - 26:50

Week Two Preview - 28:40

ATP Madrid - 33:05

The 2025 NextGenATP Class keeps rolling - 34:25

A Tsitsipas/Ruud resurgence?! - 44:30

Week Two Preview - 48:30

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.

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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Tennis.com Lead Editor David Kane joins Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin to discuss the biggest questions coming out of the first four months of the 2026 WTA Season. They offer their thoughts on the Andreeva/Mboko debate, break down the biggest threat to Sabalenka on clay, share their most surprising result of 2026, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Mirra Andreeva vs. Victoria Mboko - 6:45

Better Run: Swiatek 2022/23 or Sabalenka 2025/26 - 25:00

Who's the biggest threat to Sabalenka on clay? - 36:20

Most likely to win a major in 2026: Pegula, Muchova, Svitolina? - 42:00

More panicked Emma: Navarro or Raducanu? - 47:30

Most surprising result of the season? - 50:00

Rapid Fire - 55:00

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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Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin previews the biggest storylines heading into the Madrid Masters Event. He breaks down all four quarters of the Men's and Women's Singles Draws, names the players with the most on the line at this event, shares his predictions, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Alcaraz out for the clay court season - 7:00

ATP Madrid Storylines - 17:00

Sinner Quarter - 22:30

Shelton Quarter - 27:00

FAA Quarter - 31:45

Zverev Quarter - 36:00

WTA Madrid Storylines - 40:00

Sabalenka Quarter - 43:45

Swiatek Quarter - 46:50

Gauff Quarter - 50:35

Rybakina Quarter - 54:00

WTA 125K + ATP Challengers - 56:00

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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