Breaking Back, a tennis podcast

00:37:01

Breaking Back — S3E9: Kei Nishikori's Farewell,...

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2026/10/07

Emma Navarro says her health problems began almost three years ago. Norm, JB and Natalie ask who is supposed to notice when a winning player is struggling, and what a comeback looks like.In this episode:Navarro's RED-S and Hashimoto's announcement, and what RED-S actually isAthletes who came back: Venus Williams (Sjögren's), Mario Lemieux, Alonzo Mourning, Ivo KarlovićWhy the tour season runs into November while players drop out of BeijingKei Nishikori's farewell in TokyoShould Venus Williams get

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00:25:03

Breaking Back — S3E#8: Zverev's US Open Ball Bouncing...

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2026/09/29

Zverev won the US Open without knowing it was match point, and his ball bouncing between serves has Norm, JB and Natalie Cutter debating a second-serve clock.Recorded before the Laver Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup Finals wrapped.In this episode:Zverev's ball bouncing between serves, and whether it is a weapon or a ticNatalie on the serve clock, and what MLB's pitch clock teaches tennisThe 3:33am finish, and JB on why start times are the problemA Laver Cup preview, Rafael Jódar's climb

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00:45:33

Breaking Back — S3#E#7: US Open Day 12: Two...

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2026/09/11

We were wrong about Alcaraz. All three of us said he was gone before the semis. Ben Shelton just proved him wrong—beat him in five on court. And then there was Tiafoe and Mickelson: five hours, a comeback, and an embrace at the net where Mickelson lost it and Tiafoe became his shoulder to cry on.Shelton vs Alcaraz: two different sports. Mickelson and Tiafoe: five sets, a comeback, and an unscripted embrace that made everyone in the stadium forget the score.The semifinal bracket: one American

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00:34:16

Breaking Back — S3E6: US Open Week One, the...

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2026/09/04

Venus and Serena get Friday night on Ashe against Maya Joint, the player who put Serena out of Wimbledon. Combined age ninety. Nobody at the USTA has called it a farewell tour and everybody is selling it like one.The rest of week one was about who this tournament is for now. An influencer at Arthur Ashe stood with his back to the court. His own box asked him to sit down. He said he was watching it on the TV.Nat filed ten hours from the grounds. Drake coming out of Ashe into a Tommy Paul match on

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00:56:07

US Open 2026: The Honey Deuce Recovery Plan

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2026/08/31

The 2026 US Open main draw is out and it's wide open. Sinner's out, Alcaraz is back but rusty, and nobody looks like the guy to beat.Norm, JB, and Natalie Cutter break down both draws: whether Alcaraz gets out of a quarter stacked with Shelton, Fils, and Tommy Paul; why the last three Cincinnati winners went on to win the Open; Menšík's path through the soft second quarter; and a fourth quarter on the women's side with Świątek, Osaka, Rybakina, Keys, and Bencic that reads like a

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00:36:38

Breaking Back — S3E4: The One With Serena's Wildcard

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2026/06/27

Wimbledon Eve 2026 — and we've got plenty to talk about. We open with Markéta Vondroušová's shocking four-year suspension and whether the punishment fits the crime. Then we break down Serena's wildcard into singles and doubles — was it a gift or a no-brainer? We run through both draws, flag the matches you can't miss (Fritz vs. Draper, round one — seriously), and close with Nat's Numbers breaking down where the real value is heading into the fortnight.

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00:15:59

DOWN GOES SINNER! ….Roland Garros will crown a...

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2026/05/30

He was up two sets and serving for the match. Then Paris got hot.Jannik Sinner — world No. 1, on a 30-match winning streak, with Alcaraz sidelined by injury — had Roland Garros gift-wrapped for him. The one Grand Slam missing from his collection. No rival standing in the way. And he was cruising, up 6-3, 6-2, 5-1 on Court Philippe-Chatrier… until his body said no.World No. 56 Juan Manuel Cerúndolo came back from two sets down to beat the top seed 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-1 in one of the biggest upsets

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00:35:25

Tennis Money Wars: Boycotts, College Chaos & Betting...

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2026/05/18

SummaryIn this episode, the hosts discuss various challenges facing tennis, including revenue discrepancies between players and tournaments, the impact of college tennis on American players, and the need for better media coverage of the sport. They explore how tennis compares to other sports in terms of revenue sharing and the implications of the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) changes in college athletics. The conversation highlights the importance of unifying the sport and addressing the financial

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01:06:33

Australian Open: Natalie Cutter Breaks Down the...

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2026/01/19

Breaking Back Season 3 opens with bold 2026 tennis predictions, Australian Open betting analysis, and the biggest storylines in the sport.The crew dives into Novak Djokovic’s departure from the PTPA, the coaching carousel at the top of the men’s game, Coco Gauff and the WTA landscape, and what it all means heading into the first Grand Slam of the year. Plus: over/under props, AO futures odds, ace and fine analytics, gear and fashion watch, and Nat’s numbers-driven betting insights to help frame the

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01:07:32

Australian Open: Natalie Cutter Breaks Down the...

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2026/01/18

Breaking Back Season 3 opens with bold 2026 tennis predictions, Australian Open betting analysis, and the biggest storylines in the sport.The crew dives into Novak Djokovic’s departure from the PTPA, the coaching carousel at the top of the men’s game, Coco Gauff and the WTA landscape, and what it all means heading into the first Grand Slam of the year. Plus: over/under props, AO futures odds, ace and fine analytics, gear and fashion watch, and Nat’s numbers-driven betting insights to help frame the

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00:48:41

US Open 2025: Taylor Townsend Steals the Show Amid...

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2025/08/30

🎾 Breaking Back – Episode GuideTitle: US Open 2025: Taylor Townsend Steals the Show Amid Honey Deuce Highs & Weed-Filled SkiesEpisode OverviewThe first week of the 2025 US Open had it all: big serves, big drama, and bigger cocktails. In this episode, the Breaking Back crew dives into the chaos and color of tennis’ final slam of the year.What We Cover:Taylor Townsend vs. Jelena Ostapenko – the fiery net-side clash that lit up Ashe and why Townsend’s calm response stole the headlines.Weed in the

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00:47:02

The Wildest Week One at Wimbledon

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2025/07/04

Norm and Peter break down the most upset-filled week one of Wimbledon's 148 year history, where the sharp money is going at SW19—and how you can get in on it.They’re joined by Natalie Cutter, betting guru and gambling aficionado, who drops serious intel on unique player props and actionable data to outwit the books this fortnight.Plus, John Butler, Executive Director of INTENNSE, shares how this fast-paced, team-based tennis league is transforming the sport with simplified scoring and a

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00:34:47

More Than a Game: René Vidal’s Formula for...

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2025/04/20

Today’s guest is René Vidal, head coach of Northern Illinois University’s men’s tennis team and a published author. With a dynamic coaching style and an unstoppable drive for excellence, René embodies a rare spirit of leadership that ignites transformation both on and off the court. His passion, energy, and commitment to greatness have set him apart — and today, we’re uncovering the powerful mindset and principles that make him a true force of inspiration.”

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00:53:21

Halep Hangs It Up, Garin’s Gamesmanship, & Aussie...

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2025/02/20

In S2 E1 we discuss BREAKING NEWS about Simona Halep's retirement, the Davis Cup drama between Cristian Garin and ZZ Bergs, and the lackluster and poorly kitted Australian Open highlighted by media antics more than on-court action.

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00:52:21

Tick Tock Tennis: Bettors gain an edge from the serve...

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2025/01/08

Meet Natalie Cutter, a Boston native whose love for sports started at age 4, wielding a tennis racket at a Greensboro, NC sports camp. From playing to coaching, her days were filled with tennis, cheering for Roger Federer, making NFL game picks, and catching Red Sox and Patriots games—sports has always been her world.Fast forward to 2023, Natalie graduated from Wake Forest (GO DEACS!) with a double major in Economics and Psychology earning High Honors for her fascinating thesis exploring how

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00:54:30

A Conversation with Tennis Journalist, Stephanie Myles

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2024/12/12

Join us for an insightful and entertaining conversation with the incomparable Canadian tennis journalist, Stephanie Myles. With decades of experience covering the sport, Stephanie has become a trusted voice in tennis media known for her sharp opinions, in-depth analysis, and unparalleled dedication to covering the game.In this episode, we delve into her journey from a budding baseball journalist to a prominent figure in tennis reporting. We discuss her work with Open Court and the challenges of

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00:46:45

Sweat, Seduction & CGI: The Winning Formula of...

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2024/11/11

Chris introduces us to Brian Drewes, founder of ZERO VFX, a visual effects and creative studio specializing in high-quality visual effects for film. Some of their work includes “Gran Turismo,” “Black Mass,” and “The Equalizer.” Brian takes us behind the scenes of “Challengers,” a film about three star-crossed lovers told through the lens of tennis, a sport that serves as an apt metaphor for internal conflict.

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00:47:49

Three Stripes & the US Open

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2024/08/24

Nathan Roach, Sr. Category Manager at adidas, takes us behind the scenes of the legendary tennis brand where he’s worked for over 14 years. We learn about future predicting colorists and kit design, the logistics of athlete distribution, and the incredibly rich tennis history at adidas, including Billie Jean King’s blue suede shoes.

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00:43:57

Wimbledon 24: from Djokovic’s knee to piccola Paolini

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2024/07/14

In E5 we talk all things Wimbledon ahead of the final, namely Djokovic’s meniscus, the meteoric rise of Jasmine Paolini, the cons of on-court coaching and the Americans playing for Old Glory in Paris. We also welcome back prodigal podster, Chris Jennings, who leads us off with his normal non-sequitur, this time adventures in Eagle Rock.

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00:47:49

Stringing Confidence with Curt Stefan: Mental Mastery...

Breaking Back, a tennis podcast ·

2024/06/04

In this episode of “Breaking Back”, Curt Stefan, professional racquet stringer and understudy of the legendary Warren Bosworth, riffs on his first client, Ivan Lendl, Gugga, and the history of polyester string, and how the proper racquet setup can build a player’s confidence and keep them focused on the task at hand -- winning.

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