The Third Set with Mike Cation

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 Australian Open. Hint: It's still a little dicey. Plus the schedule for 2021 is way up in the air. What's it mean? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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), doubles specialist Nate Lammons, Jack Sock's coach and former top 100 player Alex Bogomolov, Jr., and top 70 doubles star Luke Bambridge. More coming up next week from Orlando! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On a rainy day in Cary on Wednesday, Noah and Mike chatted with eight different players for mini-interviews, culminating with the more serious question of how to improve the quality of life and opportunity for Challengers, and Challenger level players. On Part 1, we chat with Christopher Eubanks, Hunter Reese, Thai-Son Kwiatkowski, and Teymuraz Gabashvili. Part 2 will be released on Monday, with t...

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 talk about his covid break, how his runs in Cary and Knoxville in 2019 changed his perspective, his long term development, his relationship with his parents, and yes, Frances Tiafoe's note from Saturday that Mike was MIA. Disclosure: This podcast was re...

Native Californian CiCI Bellis' injury battles through 2018-9 are well documented, going through four surgeries on her arm. After withdrawing before her semifinal match Saturday at the USTA Pro Circuit event in Tyler, Texas, CiCi joined Noah and Mike for a chat about her preparation for this week's event in Charleston, how she's handling the schedule post Covid-hiatus, and her newfound fame on the...

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 details behind the larger vision, including the details of BTR Tour weekend, and whether it's a long term competitor for the ATP and WTA Tours. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just a slew to unpack this week, in this order 1) The French results, Iga on BTR, Nadal's achievement at the French 2) The return of the USTA Pro Circuit 3) PTPA vs the New Player Council 4) Mental Health Awareness Week and where Noah and Mike are in that regard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 traction because it's where his Dad Andres won a grand slam title in 1990. But Emilio's story has had a much longer progression. How has that progression helped or hindered him, and where does his relationship with his father go from here? As always, than...

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 experience, what's next, and what the hell is going on with the French Open balls? Then the boys discuss the complete lack of consistency pointed out this week by former guest Gaby Dabrowski, among others, on medical protocols from week to week. What's...

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 invites us inside the bubble as he prepares for a first round qualifying matchup with Dr. Ivo on Monday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 dissect their reflections on it. And Mike was moved immensely by Naomi Osaka, but also wondered if it's possible for someone like Noah, or any player around 200 in the world, to have an impact socially, if they don't win at the highest level. Learn more ab...

Thoughts on the bubble? Thoughts on the play? Should the Paire 11 have been removed from the tournament? Noah sounds off, once again Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 the PTPA photo. Why was he there???? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 out and gives them tips on how to survive the bubble, and appreciate the opportunity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 action throughout the world. Plus, we talk about some of the latest Behind the Racquet's features, and whether Noah envisions himself retiring with a lack of opportunities in front of him. Thanks again to all of our incredibly supportive Patreons. You...

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 affect him over the next few months. He recently created a stir by flipping off Andy Murray. He's a possible male model.  The pride of Stockport joins Noah and Mike to discuss those topics, and what he's learned from the Battle of the Brits, Andy Murray...

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 Open is three weeks away, with the entry lists being released Monday. But what about those outside looking in. How do they improve? How do they improve? How does Noah get to the Australian Open main draw next year? Thanks again to our new patreon sp...

Our Ask Us Anything brought a great question that needed some further discussion. So Dr. Jonathan Katz, Mental Health Advisor and Performance Coach for Behind The Racquet, joins us to answer this question from Jack Wichtendahl: How do you stay motivated for something you’re not sure is going to come back, and even it does, you know it’s not going to be the same because of the coronavirus? Learn mo...

-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 in this one, but what FANTASTIC QUESTIONS from our patreon supporters this week. Later this week, expect an episode with Mental Health Advisor and Performance Coach Dr. Jonathan Katz, answering one of the submitted questions. Thanks so much to o...

Thank you SOOOOO much to our patreon supporters, first and foremost, including those that supported this week. On Monday, Noah is traveling to Tulsa for a non-podcast reason. But it is going to allow us to record what could be our lone in-person podcast for the rest of 2020. SOOOOOO. It's your turn. You get to ask us anything you could possibly want. Patreon supporters get first dibs. We'll be sen...

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 the positive Covid test for Frances Tiafoe in Atlanta. So, this week, Mike takes the reigns to rant against the idea that so many exhibitions are having as much influence on the sport as they are. Noah brings us home with the positivity, Don't forget,...

Lots to discuss with longtime coach Brad Stine, including how he's kept Tommy Paul focused during the pandemic, his coaching progression, and more importantly, how and whether tennis should resume. Stine takes issue with some of the boys' points on ways to improve and improvise the sport during the pandemic, and gives insight on how the rankings might play out during the rest of the year and in to...

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 talk about the impacts of social media on us all in the midst of the pandemic, as well as the challenges facing athletes, specifically tennis players, when they return to the field of competition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm...

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 Noah's surprising take on whether the Open should go on or not, and how he's combatted the Novak fans he argued with through the last week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Hear details of what was discussed, and Noah's opinions on the options. Noah's also received criticism from Novak's fam, hear why, and see if you agree. And Mike explores regional slams just a little bit more in depth. As always, thanks to our fantast...