The Third Set with Mike Cation

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 foot injury through the back end of 2019 that caused him to miss the last three months of the year. No money, no points...it's not easy. He tells @noahrubin33 and @mikectennis how he dealt with it, and a crazy story about his most recent coach... Lear...

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 of a potential walkout or boycott from ATP players in Australia.  That, and exciting news from Noah on his elbow injury, as Mike raves about the new Andy Murray documentary.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 have someone leading the way in the sport, with the best player EVER from Barbados, Darian King. Join the conversation with @noahrubin33 or @mikectennis on all forms of social media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 entered the week just outside of the top 100, and reaching that mark carries significant weight for many players, especially with direct entry to the Australian Open guaranteed if you make it. Also, Mike and Noah stayed in the same house for the week,...

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 about 1) His recovery from multiple hip surgeries 2) His big moment with DelPo 3) His unique gaming relationship with his girlfriend Becca. Join the conversation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 answer. We also hear Noah's best and worst fan moments in his career, and hear why Mike beat up on some 80 year olds this weekend. As always, interact with us @mikectennis and @noahrubin33 and visit behindtheracquet.com, and mikectennis.com  Learn mo...

New in to the Top 100 3 Challenger Championships Being cussed out by an opponent A twitter beef with Nicole Gibbs? Everything is up for discussion with Tommy Paul, who joined Noah and Mike before his weekend title in Tiburon, California, as well as a short interview after. As always, join the discussion by tweeting/DMing @noahrubin33 and @mikectennis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...

@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 ranking.  But what about the specialists?   There might not be a person better poised to answer that question than Jackson Withrow.  Weeks ago, he reached the Quarterfinals of the US Open. A week later, he lost in the first round of the Challenger in Cary...

Part of the underlying pressure faced by players at the Challenger level is the constant undercurrent of defending points from one year ago.   Noah Rubin (noahrubin33) and Mike Cation (mikectennis) break it down, and explain why the current system is a bit flawed, while searching for a correct fix. Also, a big surprise at the end as we reveal next week's guest, and ask for your input!   Learn more...

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 help? Noah Rubin and Mike Cation explore that issue with Christopher Eubanks, who received a grant from Oracle in 2018.   We also discuss the unique friendship between Noah and Christopher, and the soaring Atlanta Falcons  Learn more about your ad choic...

Coco Gauff has delighted the tennis world, and America, with incredible spirit, great tennis, and a fascinating story to tell.  She's also signed massive endorsement deals, met with Michelle Obama, and has forced the WTA's hand with their age limits.  Number of tournaments is one thing. The responsibility of the tour is another. Noah Rubin (@noahrubin33) and Mike Cation (mikectennis) discuss it an...

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 social media now.   Also, how did Sandgren escape the landscape of Futures and Challengers.   As always, continue the conversation with us @noahrubin33 and @mikectennis  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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...and how it can get away from you in a hurry.   Join the discussion @noahrubin33, and @mikectennis.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 challenges on the women's side.  We bring in Jamie Loeb for her perspective of the WTA/ITF schism, and an additional problem for the gram... Continue the conversation @mikectennis or @noahrubin33   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm...

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 coming out of juniors, and college.   We also chat briefly about the continuing enigma that is Nick Kyrgios, as well as Noah's experience last week in World Team Tennis.   Join the conversation @noahrubin33, or @mikectennis on twitter and instagram.  ...

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, but in a awareness of anything but hit ball, see ball. Who's dumb, who's not, and yes, a debate on the Australian stache craze, all on this week's episode of the Coffee Cast  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 discusses the difficulties of the first year, his ambitions, the rumors about UCLA's style, and who's better at Fifa...Redlicki or Rubin? As always, join the discussion @noahrubin33 or @mikectennis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...

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 week, as Noah took a last second wild card in to the event in Binghamton, New York.   The complexities of entry rules are vast, and we tackle it this week.   As always, contact us @Noahrubin33 or @mikectennis for thoughts, and make sure you watch the...

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 up big wins.  And on the flip side, finding your way out of those negative slides when you get in to one. That, and we talk about why everyone hates Novak, and can he turn that around.   Interact with us: @noahrubin33, and @mikectennis  Learn more a...

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.   We talk about his anxiety that he talked about in his Behind the Racquet profile a few months ago, as well as start the discussion on streaks and confidence that Noah and Mike will talk about later tonight.     Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

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 the longstanding barriers for players on tour. Join the discussion, by chatting with us @noahrubin33, and @mikectennis on all of your social media platforms. And please review us on itunes or your favorite podcast app.  It helps us get noticed! Learn...

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 on how to make tennis better for television. What are your thoughts?  Get in touch: @mikectennis or @noahrubin33   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, while Noah is competing (and, winning) at Wimbledon qualies, we chat about the clash of tradition of Wimbledon with today's players, especially during qualifying.  As well, there's lots of talk about on court coaching at the US Open, and we disagree with none other than Roger Federer.     As always, find us online @noahrubin33, and @mikectennis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit me...

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 talk about the immediacy of the frustration, despair, and loneliness felt after a loss, as well as the lack of resources available.  And about the brave conversations being had by Katie Swan and Nicole Gibbs, among others, on Behind the Racquet. Listen...