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 – the fiery net-side clash that lit up Ashe and why Townsend’s calm response stole the headlines.Weed in the Air, Honey in the Cups – how $12 million in Honey Deuces (and a contact high or two) define the modern US Open experience.Medvedev’s $42,500 Meltdown – racket smashes, court delays, and why Daniil’s patience snapped.Sinner’s Recovery & Coco’s Struggles – questions around fitness, form, and the odds that shifted overnight.Fashion Court – from Lacoste’s GOAT merch sellout to Coco’s New Balance jacket, the brands making waves.Fan Hacks – how to beat the lines, find the shortest Honey Deuce stand, and skip the subway squeeze.Why Listen:Week 1 served up as much tension as tennis — and we’ve got the hot takes, laughs, and insider tips you won’t hear on ESPN.

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.

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 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.

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.