Behind the Racquet Pod

Ay yo, what's the deal with the AO?

08 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a while, so Noah and Mike have some catching up to do.Noah brings you all the latest info the players have received when it comes to the Aus...

Dispatches from Cary Part 2

16 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In part 2 of our dispatches from Cary, Noah and Mike chat with Denis Kudla (who is in the final on Sunday at the Atlantic Tire Championships in Cary),...

Dispatches from Cary Part 1

13 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On a rainy day in Cary on Wednesday, Noah and Mike chatted with eight different players for mini-interviews, culminating with the more serious questio...

Michael Mmoh is alive and well

09 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As Challenger tennis returns to the US this week in beautiful Cary, North Carolina, Noah and Mike sit down with returning finalist Michael Mmoh to tal...

CiCi Comes Back

02 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Native Californian CiCI Bellis' injury battles through 2018-9 are well documented, going through four surgeries on her arm. After withdrawing before h...

Behind the Behind the Racquet Tour

26 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Last week, Behind the Racquet founder Noah Rubin announced the BTR Tour, his vision for a reimagined tennis experience. Today, Mike presses him on the...

Pondering the ATP Player Council Picks

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Just a slew to unpack this week, in this order1) The French results, Iga on BTR, Nadal's achievement at the French2) The return of the USTA Pro Circui...

The Jump with Emilio Gomez

05 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

28 year old Emilio Gomez made tennis headlines last week after qualifying for the French Open for the first time in his career. The story gained tract...

Back to Life, Back to Reality

28 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Noah lost a tough one to Ivo Karlovic. To Mike's delight, the gentle giant threw in THREE underarm serves. We'll get Noah's take on his French Open ex...

Noah takes us Inside a very messy French Open Bubble

20 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's not a great start to the French Open, with multiple positive tests, and more questions about the bubbles and the rules than answers. Noah Rubin i...

US Open Reflections, and can you have an social impact without winning?

13 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A week after he leaves the bubble, Noah Rubin reflects on his times at the Open, while Mike appears to have a different view entirely. The boys dissec...

A mini-ask us anything, on the day of the Mannarino conundrum

04 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Thoughts on the bubble?Thoughts on the play?Should the Paire 11 have been removed from the tournament?Noah sounds off, once againLearn more about your...

Is the Bubble Busted, Plus Noah's PTPA Rationale

31 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Noah breaks news on a Sunday, explaining what ramifications are coming from Benoit Paire's positive covid test.And yes, you saw Noah in his BTR shirt ...

In Front of Mental Health Episode Three: Noah and Mike prep themselves for the bubble

24 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Noah has received a wild card in to the US Open Doubles Draw.Mike has received an offer to broadcast the US Open.All good news!Dr. Katz helps the guys...

Problems in Prague

17 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Noah Rubin details some of the problems he's heard from players in Prague, the site of the first Challenger tournament as the ATP and WTA return to ac...

The British Experience with Liam Broady

10 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

26 year old Liam Broady prepares for the restart of tennis as the 211th ranked player in the world, and unsure about how the quarantine rules will aff...

Tennis is back....for some. The conundrum for the Challenger players.

03 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We check back in with Noah in New York, and Mike in Tulsa, with the 31st Palermo Ladies Open underway, officially resuming the ATP/WTA seasons. The US...

In Front of Mental Health Episode 2

24 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Our Ask Us Anything brought a great question that needed some further discussion. So Dr. Jonathan Katz, Mental Health Advisor and Performance Coach fo...

Ask Us Anything...Answered!

20 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

-Has tennis helped you get through a tough period in your life?-Favorite tournaments?-Superstitions?-Jewish legacy in tennis?We hop around quite a bit...

Your Turn: Get your questions ready

13 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Thank you SOOOOO much to our patreon supporters, first and foremost, including those that supported this week.On Monday, Noah is traveling to Tulsa fo...

Rant City, Rant Rant City

06 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This was supposed to be a week for us on positivity, and some of the things that make this sport so memorable and positive for us.That changed with th...

Have we done enough, with special guest, coach Brad Stine

29 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lots to discuss with longtime coach Brad Stine, including how he's kept Tommy Paul focused during the pandemic, his coaching progression, and more imp...

In Front of Mental Health Episode 1

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We introduce you today to Dr. Jonathan Katz, a member of the BTR team who will take us on a journey of exploring mental health in athletics.Today, we ...

We're playing the Open

22 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Important to note, we had to record BEFORE Grigor Dimitrov tested positive for Covid-19. Which is too bad, as we have some damned thoughts.But, hear N...

Behind the Scenes of the ATP's Call

15 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Noah Rubin likes to take us Behind the Racquet, today he's taking us behind the scenes of the ATP's phone call to discuss the US Open with 400 pros. H...

Phillip Simmonds on race within the sport of Tennis

08 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A difficult topic parsed by Noah and his longtime friend Phillip Simmonds, taking a look at race in the sport of tennis, and how it affects the player...

Muzza, Nick, and Reilly...catching up on the last two weeks

18 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lots to catch up on for Noah and Mike, and so they hit the Muzza/Nick instagram live, Reilly Opelka's momentous and page turning interview in Racquet ...

Mental Health Week: The Live Podcast

04 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Quick tech note: Mike's recorder went wayward the first few minutes. It restarted a few minutes, the audio is clean about 7 minutes in.Now.This is Men...

Playing in a Pandemic with Evan King

29 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lots to unpack with Evan King (Career High #181, All-American at the University of Michigan, from Chicago, Illinois)1) His (editor's note: HORRIBLE) d...

Is it enough?

22 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Three topics to hit today:1) the whirlwind over the Coco Gauff BTR and Noah's learning moment2) The odd exhibition tennis down in Florida last weekend...

Limits are getting pushed

15 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Limits are getting pushed indeed.For Mike, it's the all too familiar feel of depression that's hit pretty hard.For Noah, it's a level of frustration w...

Reminiscing with Rampras

08 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Wide ranging chat with the pride of Carmel, Indiana Rajeev Ram this week. Mike gets to chat all things University of Illinois with one of the legends ...

Another League?

30 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Our weekly check in today is essentially therapy time for Mike, while Noah is taking his discussions to a large group of players. Hear what he's discu...

What's next with WTA star and Player Council Member Gaby Dabrowski

24 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Two caveats here:1) As we always want to point out, nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our society. This discussion is meant ...

Life has changed.

19 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The caveats are important here. Nothing, in terms of discussing the what ifs of tennis, matters as much as the health of humans, and how we move forwa...

Noah's 15-All Volume 8: Yeah, we're a bit nervous about the impact of Coronavirus too

09 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Noah jumps about 25 spots in the rankings after a GREAT week in Indian Wells.Naturally, he's headed to Hawaii.And yes, the coronavirus is weighing hea...

Noah's 15-All Volume 7: Are we having fun yet?

05 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A couple of things to hit on this week's edition of 15-all:Noah's in to the third round (at the time of recording) at the Indian Wells ChallengerHe's ...

Thai the Enigma

02 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lots to discuss with Thai-Son Kwiatkowski on the eve of the stacked Indian Wells Challenger. He won Newport Beach earlier this year after a difficult ...

A New Start with Neto

27 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Things are changing for us. We've rebranded as the Behind the Racquet Pod. And what better guest to get to mark the occasion than Ernesto Escobedo, th...

Noah's 15-All Volume 6: Dirt Devils, and Everything's Not Fines

25 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After a good week at the DBO, Noah is off this week to rest his body, but at a VERY costly price.Plus, Noah and Mike offer their takes on clay court s...

Noah's 15-All Volume 5: Don't Talk to Me Like That!

18 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Just hours before Noah's 2020 tour level debut in Delray Beach, we chat about his big weekend qualifying, and why saying "focus" to your player might ...

Noah's 15-All Volume 4. Eff you, haters!

12 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Noah got a win, his first after a stress reaction in his elbow last year. How does he feel?And can you ACTUALLY silence the haters?Learn more about yo...

Coming Home with Mitchell Krueger

04 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mitchell Krueger's road has not always been easy. But a return home, a strong relationship, and a commitment to himself have allowed him to persevere....

Noah's 15-All, Volume 3

03 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Third volume, and it's got a name.15 minutes with Noah from the RBC Tennis Championships ahead of his matchup with Aleks VukicTopics: Agents, and the ...

Mission Accomplished with Luke Bambridge

28 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Two years after thinking about ending his career, Luke Bambridge now has multiple ATP doubles titles. What are the secrets, and what are the challenge...

AO with Ahn

19 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded before the draw, and finding out that she could end the career of Caroline Wozniacki, Kristie Ahn joined the boys to talk about her long hist...

Not Just Hot Air: Noah's segment, Volume 2

17 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Outspoken as always, Noah Rubin takes you through his thoughts on the smoke from the bushfires in Australia.As a reminder, you can donate to several f...

The yet untitled Noah BTR Segment, Volume 1

14 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

NEW SEGMENT ALERT!We need help with a name. Each week this season, we'll do 10-15 minutes with Noah, assessing his season, his brain, his body, and se...

The Media Landscape with Jon Wertheim

07 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jon Wertheim doesn't get to go in the weeds too often, but we dragged him in for an extensive interview about media coverage and how it relates to pla...

Merry Christmas with Madison Keys

17 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Despite a few technical issues at the outset, this is a full ranging interview with Madison Keys, ranging from her love of Christmas, to shortening th...

Battling Back from Injury with Bjorn Fratangelo

10 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's never easy dealing with an injury as an athlete, but what happens when you HAVE to play in order to get paid?Bjorn Fratangelo has dealt with a fo...

To be (A Union) or not to be (A Union)

03 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s podcast goes a little bit deeper in to Mike’s firm belief that Unionization is a necessity, and where we are with the rumors swirling ...

Building a Bridge to Barbados with Darian King

18 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lots going on the last two weeks, and Noah and Mike recap the wins by Mmoh, Giron, and Wolf.And we discuss how crucial it is for small countries to ha...

Targeting Top 100 with Taro Daniel

04 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

While Noah hopped down to Charlottesville to join Mike for some commentary, he also had a chance for the podcast to sit down with Taro Daniel. Taro en...

Rising and Recovery with Marcos Giron

28 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Hard to overstate how big of a year Marcos Giron has had. The former NCAA champ at UCLA joined @noahrubin33 and @mikectennis for a frank talk about1) ...

Canadian Thanksgiving

15 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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Hey Noah, great match, but what happened at 4-2, 15-40?

07 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Listener question from Jeff in Long Island who asks simply, "As a fan, what do I say to a player that just lost a match?"Great question, complicated a...

Tommy's Time with Tommy Paul

30 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

New in to the Top 1003 Challenger ChampionshipsBeing cussed out by an opponentA twitter beef with Nicole Gibbs?Everything is up for discussion with To...

The Specialist Life with Jackson Withrow

24 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

@noahrubin33 and @mikectennis have spent a lot of time talking about some of the difficulties for players outside the top 100 in the ATP singles ranki...

Defending the indefensible

17 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Part of the underlying pressure faced by players at the Challenger level is the constant undercurrent of defending points from one year ago.  Noah Ru...

The Oracle: Christopher Eubanks

09 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Oracle recently announced a massive expansion of their program to help American tennis, adding 25 new ITF, ATP, and WTA events next year.  Will it he...

The Responsibility of Youth

03 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Coco Gauff has delighted the tennis world, and America, with incredible spirit, great tennis, and a fascinating story to tell.  She's also signed mas...

Social Media with Tennys Sandgren

26 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A difficult one for both Noah and Mike, talking with friend Tennys Sandgren about his social media presence in years past, and where he's at with soci...

Stick that Win in my VEINS

12 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Winning.  It feels amazing.  In this week's podcast, we talk about how great of a feeling it is to win, what it means in the immediate aftermath...a...

Hey look, it's Jamie Loeb!

07 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Mike and Noah have spent a lot of their time talking about the challenges faced by players outside the top 50.  But what about some of the additional...

Time to make the jump!

05 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Before a quick vacation in the Bahamas for Noah, we take a look at what it takes for a teen turn to pro, and what the transition is like for players c...

Good Match, Dummy

29 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On the eve of Noah's debut on the World Team Tennis stage, he and Mike tackle whether it's sometimes beneficial to be....dumb.  And not in a book way...

Martin Redlicki and the move from college to the pros

24 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The two-time NCAA Champion joins Noah Rubin and Mike Cation for a talk about the transition to the pros after a successful career at UCLA, and discuss...

Scheduling Made Difficult...

22 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The complexities of how the 99% have to piece together their schedule month to month, and sometimes week to week, is the topic for Mike and Noah this ...

Elusive Confidence, and the Difficult of Streaks (and should Novak turn heel?)

15 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On the heels of our conversation with Bradley Klahn, Noah and Mike discuss how difficult it is to maintain momentum and confidence, even after picking...

Bradley Klahn with Noah Rubin inside the New Balance Winner's Circle

15 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A bonus episode as Noah and Mike talk to Bradley Klahn, winner of the USTA Pro Circuit event in Winnetka on Sunday in the New Balance Winner's Circle....

Happiness

08 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

As Manic Monday unfolds at Wimbledon, and the USTA Pro Circuit resumes in Winnetka, Noah Rubin and Mike Cation tackle happiness, and explore some of t...

The Television Episode (and hey look, Noah's playing Wimbledon!)

01 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lots to discuss in today's half hour. -Noah Rubin qualifies for Wimbledon -Sooooo many changes with the ATP Player Council and we begin the discussion...

Wimbledon Whites, and On Court Coaching

24 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, while Noah is competing (and, winning) at Wimbledon qualies, we chat about the clash of tradition of Wimbledon with today's players, especi...

Coffee Cast Powered by Behind the Racquet: Mental Health

17 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It is never an easy topic to discuss, but today, Noah Rubin and Mike Cation begin the discussion about Mental Health within the sport of tennis. We ta...

Coffee Cast with Cation: Noah Rubin Edition

10 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

His Behind the Racquet series has brought notoriety to many of the difficulties faced by himself, and his peers.  But today, on the Coffee Cast, Noah...

New Balance Winner's Circle with Dudi Sela

09 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Inside the New Balance Winner's Circle with Dudi Sela, your champion at the Baptist Health Little Rock Open.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

The Coffee Cast with Cation: Alex Rybakov edition

18 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 #4...

New Balance Winner's Circle with Mitchell Krueger

11 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 stor...

The Coffee Cast with Cation: Neal Skupski edition

22 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 w...

The Coffee Cast with Cation: Thanasi Kokkinakis

13 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

The Coffee Cast with Cation: Christopher Eubanks Edition

13 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

The Coffee Cast with Cation: Jarmere Jenkins Edition

11 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 di...

New Balance Winner's Circle with Reilly Opelka

17 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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...

New Balance Winner's Circle with Tommy Paul

05 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

The Coffee Cast with Cation: Reilly Opelka Edition

19 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 d...

New Balance Winner's Circle with Bjorn Fratangelo

15 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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...

New Balance Winner's Circle with Lloyd Harris...Again

08 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

The Coffee Cast with Cation: James Duckworth Edition

02 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 we...

New Balance Winner's Circle with Michael Mmoh

01 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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...

New Balance Winner's Circle with Thanasi Kokkinakis

13 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We go inside the New Balance Winner's Circle today with Thanasi Kokkinakis, who ended a 3 year injury-prolonged Trophy drought with a win at the Nordi...

The Coffee Cast with Cation: Dan Evans Edition

09 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Finally got a chance to sit down with Dan Evans, aka Evo, to talk a little bit about his life three months back in to his comeback. Hear his thoughts ...

New Balance Winner's Circle with Lloyd Harris

05 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We go inside the New Balance Winner's Circle with Lloyd Harris, winner of the Kentucky Bank Tennis Championships in Lexington, KentuckyLearn more abou...

New Balance Winner's Circle with Jay Clarke

29 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Hear from Binghamton Champion Jay Clarke on why he's the 4th British champion at this tournament in the last 13 years, following Murray, Edmund, and N...

Coffee Cast with Cation: Jordan Thompson edition

29 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On this edition of the Coffee Cast with Cation, Jordan Thompson dishes on the Transition Tour, transitioning back and forth between Challengers and Sl...

The Coffee Cast: Marc Polmans Edition

04 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In the latest edition of the Coffee Cast, I sit down with Marc Polmans, the talented 21-year-old from Melbourne who has had a remarkable 2018, includi...

New Balance Winner's Circle with Noah Rubin

29 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Hear from Tallahassee Tennis Challenger Champion Noah Rubin after a three set win over Marc Polmans. It's his fourth title, second of the year, and pu...

The Coffee Cast with Cation: Peter Polansky Edition

26 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Peter Polansky is playing some of the best tennis in his life, knocking on the door of the top 100.  At the same time, he's somehow managed to create...

Coffee Cast with Noah Rubin, Part 1

25 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

So, a funny thing happened on the way to the podcast.So, I was discussing a picture I have on my phone with Noah, of him, Stefan Kozlov, and Jared Don...

Coffee Cast with Cation: Aleks Vukic Edition

02 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

University of Illinois Senior Aleks Vukic (World #435) joined me last week to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of college tennis, his plans for th...