Breaking Back, a tennis podcast

Follow Breaking Back, a tennis podcast
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

A tennis podcast by fans, for fans, covering all aspects of the game with an unfiltered lens.

Chris Jennings, Peter Duggan, Norm Archer


    • Apr 20, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 47m AVG DURATION
    • 11 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Breaking Back, a tennis podcast with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Breaking Back, a tennis podcast

    More Than a Game: René Vidal's Formula for Transformational Success”

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2025 34:47


    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.”

    Halep Hangs It Up, Garin's Gamesmanship, & Aussie Open Aftermath

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 53:21


    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.

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

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 52:21


    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 betting markets responded to the introduction of the serve clock in tennis. Since then, Natalie's presented her research at the Eastern Economics Association for the North American Association of Sports Economics and working on getting her study published in the Journal of Sports Betting. In this episode, we chat about her journey from tennis courts to academic conferences, what sparked her interest in sports economics, and how her work could change the way we think about betting markets. Whether you're a tennis fan, sports nerd, or just curious about the numbers behind the game, this is a conversation you'll love.

    A Conversation with Tennis Journalist, Stephanie Myles

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 54:30


    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 covering a global sport in an ever-changing media landscape. Stephanie also shares anecdotes from her time appearing on television, offering expert commentary and analysis for major tennis events, and what it takes to balance print, online, and broadcast journalism.

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

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024 46:45


    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.

    Three Stripes & the US Open

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2024 47:49


    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.

    Wimbledon 24: from Djokovic's knee to piccola Paolini

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2024 43:57


    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.

    Stringing Confidence with Curt Stefan: Mental Mastery by Optimizing Your Gear

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 47:49


    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.

    Professional tennis is broken and John Butler has the solution.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2024 51:30


    John Butler has delivered unparalleled ROI for fans, sponsors, civic partners and the game of tennis via creative and interactive physical programming on-site, on-the-town and in communications to fans and brands around the world. From grassroots ATP Challenger Tour events to top-level ATP Tour spectacles like the Delray Beach Open which John ran for more than three decades, to the charm of ATP Champions Tour legends matches, John has continually innovated to cross market and grow the game's appeal. In this episode, John talks with Peter and me about the state of tennis and the solution he drafted and shared with leaders from the ATP, Tennis Australia and WTA.

    Kyrgios & The Economics of Tennis

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2024 39:43


    In this episode, we wrap up the Australian Open and discuss how Nicky Kyrgios stole the show. Our guest, Eric Smallwood of Apex Marketing, shares how his firm performs valuations for brand sponsorships in tennis, and how the sale of Tennis Channel could further complicate an already fractured viewing experience.

    2024 Australian Open: Djoker vs. the Field

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2024 46:26


    In this episode we talk Australian Open, Djokovic's oddly-cut clothes, player's watches, Netflix's Break Point Season 2 E1, and the evolving drama surrounding the ATP/WTA tour in 2024.   

    Claim Breaking Back, a tennis podcast

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel