Breaking Back, a tennis podcast

🎾 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 –...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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.

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.

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.