Cracked Interviews [Tennis Podcast]

Cracked Racquets, Bleav

"Cracked Interviews" is a podcast that delves into the world of tennis, featuring interviews with some of the biggest names in the sport. From top players and coaches to brand leaders and analysts, this podcast offers an inside look at the lives and careers of those who shape the game. Join host and tennis enthusiast Alex Gruskin as he sits down with some of the biggest names in tennis for in-depth conversations about their careers, the state of the game, and more!
Whether you're a hardcore tennis fan or just looking to learn more about the sport, "Cracked Interviews" is the perfect podcast for you. Tune in and get ready to be entertained and educated about the world of tennis.
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This podcast is brought to you by:

Tourna
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This podcast is produced and managed by Cracked Media Ventures.

Episodes

Mentioned books

Dec 18, 2025 • 58min

How Eliot Spizzirri Turned 2025 Into a Breakout ATP Season

Former Texas All-American and current ATP #90 Eliot Spizzirri joins the show to recap his breakout 2025 season. He offers insight into the most consequential matches of his season, discusses his takeaways from his first year living the pro tennis lifestyle, breaks down his preseason training schedule, plus SO much more!! Check out the interview on YouTube by clicking here. Episode Bookmarks: Intro - 2:15 Assess Your Season - 6:32 Which Stat Are You Most Proud Of? - 16:00 What Match Did You Learn the Most? - 22:45 Favorite Pro Match - 36:35 Best Off-Court Experiences - 39:25 This Offseason - 42:35 Value of an Agent - 49:05 Early 2026 Schedule - 53:15 Outro - 55:30 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 10, 2025 • 52min

A Unique Pathway to College Coaching ft. Florida Men's Assistant Coach Max Koller

Florida Men's Assistant Coach Max Koller joins Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin to discuss his unique pathway into college coaching. He also offers his thoughts on his first 18 months at Florida, taking the next step this spring, his approach to recruiting, and SO much more!! Episode Bookmarks: College tennis fandom - 3:40 Pathway to college coaching - 6:10 Getting the job at Florida - 16:40 The Fall - 26:15 Your approach to recruiting - 33:05 How often do you get asked about NIL - 36:45 Connecting to the Gainsville community - 38:40 what helps florida take the next step in 2026 - 41:05 Getting more fans aware - 43:25 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 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/crackedracquets Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 8, 2025 • 51min

Recapping a Breakout 2025 Spring for Clemson with Men's Associate Head Coach Austin Rapp

Clemson Men's Associate Head Coach Austin Rapp joins Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin to recap a breakout 2025 spring for his Clemson Tigers. He also offers his thoughts on how the level of college tennis has changed since his own playing days, his approach to recruiting, and SO much more!! Episode Bookmarks: Clemson 2025 spring - 3:00 College Tennis better now? - 16:45 Your approach to recruiting - 20:45 How often do you get asked about NIL - 25:45 Connecting to the Clemson community - 31:00 Getting more fans aware - 32:15 What helps Clemson take the next step in 2026 - 42:00 Who is a coach you model yourself after - 45:15 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 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 3, 2025 • 39min

TCU All-American and ATP #205 Jack Pinnington Jones Discusses Adjusting to the Pro Tour

Two-time TCU All-American and current ATP #205 Jack Pinnington Jones joins Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin to breakdown his first six months on the Pro Tour. He offers his thoughts on adjusting to the pro tennis lifestyle, what he learned during his time at TCU, reflections from his final season, plus SO much more!! Episode Bookmarks Transitioning to Pro Tennis - 1:50 Biggest difference in level between college/pros - 6:00 Favorite pro match + one you learned the most from - 12:55 What part of your game improved most in college - 21:00 Be honest: Were you happy you DNF'd against Timo in the SFs - 29:00 NIL/the college path - 31:30 Goals for 2026 - 33:10 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 1, 2025 • 35min

Georgia All-American and WTA #149 Dasha Vidmanova Reflects on First Six Months of Pro Career

University of Georgia All-American and current WTA #149 Dasha Vidmanova joins Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin to reflect on her first six months of Pro Tennis. She also discusses the significance of capturing the career triple crown her senior season, signing with IMG, and SO much more!! Episode Bookmarks: Transitioning to Pro Tennis - 3:40 Biggest difference in level between college/pros - 5:00 What parts of pro tennis have you had to alter your game for - 10:23 Why sign with IMG/how have they helped - 15:30 Favorite altitude pro match + one you learned the most from - 18:15 Capturing the career triple crown - 21:30 Fall vs. Spring NCAAs - 23:28 Relationship with Mary Stoiana - 25:00 What part of your game improved most in college - 25:50 NIL/the college path - 29:32 Goals for 2026 - 31:31 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 25, 2025 • 8min

Reese Brantmeier Post-Match Interview | NCAA FINAL | Def. B. Passola Folch 6-3, 6-3

Alex Gruskin speaks with first round winners at the 2025 NCAA Singles and Doubles Championships, live from the USTA National Campus. 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 25, 2025 • 8min

Michael Zheng Post-Match Interview | NCAA FINAL | Def. T. Svajda 6-4, 1-6, 6-3

Nov 22, 2025 • 5min

Berta Passola Folch Post-Match Interview | NCAA SF | Def. E. Welker 6-2, 4-6, 7-6

Nov 22, 2025 • 6min

Reese Brantmeier Post-Match Interview | NCAA SF | Def. J. Hossam Salah 6-3, 5-7, 6-2

Nov 22, 2025 • 5min

Michael Zheng Post-Match Interview | NCAA SF | Def. P. Inchauspe 6-3, 5-7, 6-2

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