The Mini-Break [Tennis Podcast]

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin shares his nominees for the 2026 ATP Halfway Mark Award Show. He breaks down his candidates for Player of the Year, Favorite Storyline, Biggest Surprise, Most Improved, and SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Player of the Year - 4:50

Most Improved (WIDE OPEN) - 12:05

Biggest Storyline - 22:50

Newcomer of the Year - 29:45

Biggest Surprise - 31:50

Biggest Disappointment - 34:45

Biggest Questions for the second half - 42:35

Grading the Season Thus Far - 44:30

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

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Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin previews Week 1 of the 2026 Grass Court Season. He breaks down the draws in Queens, 'S-Hertogenbosch, and Stuttgart, names the players in need of a fast start to the month, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

WTA Queens - 8:40

WTA 'S-Hertogenbosch - 17:50

ATP 'S-Hertogenbosch - 22:10

ATP Stuttgart - 27:25

WTA 125Ks - 31:15

ATP Challengers - 33:20

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.

Tennis.com Lead Editor David Kane joins Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin for the 2026 WTA Halfway Mark Award Show. They breakdown their nominees for Player of the Year, Favorite Storyline, Biggest Surprise, Most Improved, and SO much more!!

Episode Notes

Player of the Year - 7:00

Most Improved - 17:00

Favorite Storyline - 27:30

Newcomer of the Year - 34:00

Biggest Surprise - 41:30

Biggest Disappointment - 46:30

Biggest Questions for the second half - 55:00

Grading the Season Thus Far - 58:45

DK's thoughts on my Top 10 - 59:20

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.

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his WTA Top 10 Rankings at the 2026 season's halfway mark. He shares his grades for each of his Top 10 players, evaluates which players have the most on the line in the second half of the season, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

#1 Ranking - 6:35

#2 Ranking - 12:40

#3 Ranking - 17:20

#4 Ranking - 21:15

#5 Ranking - 26:30

#6 Ranking - 31:00

#7 Ranking - 35:00

#8 Ranking - 39:00

#9 Ranking - 43:45

#10 Ranking + Honorable Mention - 46:00

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.

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his WTA Top 10 Rankings at the 2026 season's halfway mark. He shares his grades for each of his Top 10 players, evaluates which players have the most on the line in the second half of the season, plus SO much more!!

Episode Notes

#1 Ranking - 5:20

#2 Ranking - 15:10

#3 Ranking - 21:30

#4 Ranking - 26:50

#5 Ranking - 33:00

#6 Ranking - 39:40

#7 + #8 Ranking Debate - 44:20

#9 Ranking - 52:15

#10 Ranking + Honorable Mention - 55:45

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.