In this episode of Courtside Sessions, we’re joined by Alex Gruskin, one of the voices behind Cracked Racquets — one of the most influential platforms in college tennis, club tennis, and modern tennis media.

From growing up playing junior tennis to leading the charge in tennis podcasting and live-streaming college matches, Gruskin shares his journey from the club tennis courts at the University of Michigan to building a full-fledged media brand loved by tennis fans around the world.

Whether you're a college tennis die-hard, club tennis competitor, or just discovering the growing world of grassroots tennis media, this episode offers a front-row seat to the evolution of how the sport is covered and consumed.

00:00 Introduction
01:40 Junior Tennis Insights
06:09 College Tennis Club
10:19 Cracked Rackets Journey
14:33 Tennis Media Path
19:21 Family Support
24:21 Team Dynamics
29:04 Cracked Rackets Future
37:17 Closing Remarks

💡 About Cracked Racquets
Cracked Racquets is a global leader in tennis media with the mission of democratizing tennis coverage by delivering high-quality, affordable broadcasting to every level of the sport – juniors, college tennis, to the pros. By leveraging their innovative CrossCourt Cast broadcast software and emerging AI-powered tools, tennis communities of all sizes that have traditionally been underserved have access to professional-grade coverage.
Cracked Racquets provides in-depth coverage of junior, college, and professional tennis through their high energy podcasts, live broadcasts, and active social media channels. The Cracked Racquets team is committed to empowering tennis audiences everywhere by making the sport more connected, inclusive, and engaging.

Follow Cracked Racquets on social media @CrackedRacquets or on one of their podcast feeds hosted by Alex Gruskin below:

SOCIALS
https://www.instagram.com/crackedracquets/?hl=en
https://www.youtube.com/c/crackedracquets
https://x.com/CrackedRacquets?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
https://x.com/AlGruskin?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
https://www.tiktok.com/@crackedracquets
https://www.threads.net/@crackedracquets
https://www.facebook.com/crackedracquets/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/crackedracquets/
https://bsky.app/profile/crackedracquets.bsky.social
https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/did:plc:py7u4a7zlo4fdeuwmoudbmyp

PODCASTS
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mini-break-tennis-podcast/id1455067534
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/great-shot-podcast-tennis-podcast/id1290618412
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cracked-interviews-tennis-podcast/id1264427749

In this episode, we’re hanging out with Sarah Koudouzian, an athlete whose journey is full of grit, heart, and some serious inspiration! Sarah opens up about overcoming personal challenges, coming back to the sport after 10+ years, and how sports became a powerful way for her to grow, bounce back, and find her inner strength.

From mentorship to community-building, Sarah’s all about lifting others up along the way and creating a positive impact.

Her story is a reminder that we all have the power to turn challenges into victories — and that empowering others can truly change the game. Don’t miss this episode filled with real talk, motivation, and lots of energy!

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Welcome to Courtside Sessions, a podcast for junior tennis players, parents, and coaches! Join us as we dive into insightful discussions, share expert tips for athletes from athletes, and explore the latest trends and topics shaping the tennis community.

Stream the Court Side Sessions Podcast here
https://courtsidesessions.transistor.fm/

🚀 Subscribe for More
Stay ahead of the game! Hit that subscribe button to stay updated on all things tennis with Courtside Sessions.

👥 Connect with Team Diadem + Sarah:
https://www.instagram.com/diademsports/
Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahkoudouzian/
richsport.inc: https://www.instagram.com/richsport.inc/
https://www.richsport.inc/pages/shop

Your support fuels our passion for tennis! Give us a thumbs up, subscribe to Courtside Sessions, and hit that notification bell 🔔 so you never miss an episode! 🎾🎙️

Inside the World of UTR Sports with CEO Mark Leschly 🎾

In this episode of Courtside Sessions, we sit down with Mark Leschly, the principal owner and CEO of UTR Sports, to discuss the impact of the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) on the world of tennis. From his junior playing days in Denmark to competing at Harvard and on the ATP Tour, Mark shares his personal journey through tennis and how it ultimately led him to revolutionize the sport with UTR.

🔍 What You'll Learn in This Episode:
The history and evolution of UTR – Why it's the most accurate and widely-used tennis rating system
How UTR compares to other ranking systems like ITF, USTA, and World Tennis Number
The role of data science and analytics in UTR’s success
The expansion of UTR into pickleball and its impact on the growing sport
The rise of junior tennis players competing in both tennis and pickleball
Mark’s personal tennis career, from playing at Harvard to competing on the ATP Tour and Danish Davis Cup team

🎾 Why UTR Matters for Players, Coaches, and Parents
Whether you're a junior player looking to get recruited, a college coach scouting talent, or a recreational player wanting competitive matches, UTR has transformed how the sport operates by making matchplay more accessible, fair, and level-based across age and gender.

📈 UTR & The Future of Pickleball
Beyond tennis, UTR has also stepped into the world of pickleball, partnering with APP and USA Pickleball to develop the most advanced pickleball rating and ranking system. Mark discusses the similarities, differences, and growing overlap between the two sports, including the rise of junior pickleball players and the development of pickleball-specific clubs and tournaments.

In this episode of Courtside Sessions, we welcome Chris Marquez, a seasoned tennis coach, former player, and tournament director, to the studio. From his late start in tennis to his rise as a top Florida player and his eventual transition to coaching, Chris shares his inspiring journey in the world of tennis.

Chris talks about the value of mental toughness, the importance of playing against diverse competition, and the challenges of moving from junior to college tennis. He also opens up about his shift from aspiring professional player to coach, and the personalized approach he takes in training players today.

We also dive into Chris's experience creating the Clay Court ITA Tournament, his relationship with sports legend Dick Vitale, and the powerful role of family support throughout his career.

Whether you're a junior player, coach, or simply a tennis enthusiast, Chris’s insights on persistence, passion, and adapting to challenges are sure to inspire you to keep pushing forward in your tennis journey

From Spain to the SLAMS!

In this episode, we sit down with Spanish pro tennis player Javier Barranco, the 2024 Diadem Breakthrough Tour Champion. Javier takes us through his incredible performance that led to his victory, sharing the training, mindset, and determination it took to claim the title.

He also opens up about his journey from junior tennis to breaking into the ATP Top 200, the sacrifices of life on tour, and the passion that keeps him pushing forward.

-----------------------------------------------
Welcome to Courtside Sessions, a podcast for junior tennis players, parents, and coaches! Join us as we dive into insightful discussions, share expert tips for athletes from athletes, and explore the latest trends and topics shaping the tennis community.

Find the Courtside Sessions Podcast here: https://courtsidesessions.transistor.fm/

🚀 Subscribe for More
Stay ahead of the game! Hit that subscribe button to stay updated on all things tennis with Courtside Sessions.

🔗 Related Episodes:
[Link to https://youtu.be/8SZ1kBVhlDc ]
[Link to https://youtu.be/GOWNhorLZgc ]
[Link to https://youtu.be/niaiXtxz1u0 ]

👥 Connect with Team Diadem + our guest:
@diademsports
GUEST: https://www.instagram.com/javi_barranco/

Your support fuels our passion for tennis! Give us a thumbs up 👍, subscribe to Courtside Sessions, and hit that notification bell 🔔 so you never miss an episode! 🎾🎙️

In this special episode of Courtside Sessions, we sit down with Diadem Sports co-founder AJ Bartlett to explore his remarkable journey from competitive tennis player to successful entrepreneur. AJ shares the inspiring story of how his passion for the game led him to co-create Diadem, a brand known for its innovation in tennis and pickleball equipment. From humble beginnings with just one product, the Solstice Power string, to a full lineup of rackets, bags, and balls, AJ gives us an inside look at the early challenges and triumphs that have shaped Diadem into a global brand.

We also dive into AJ's personal tennis journey, from competing in junior and college tennis to earning ATP points on the professional circuit. Along the way, he talks about the lessons learned from his time on the court and how those experiences influenced the creation and growth of Diadem. Whether you’re a fan of tennis or an aspiring entrepreneur, AJ’s story is one of perseverance, passion, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Tune in for an engaging conversation with the man behind the brand!

In this episode of Courtside Sessions, we sit down with Matias Descotte, one of Diadem's Breakthrough Tour athletes, to explore his journey from junior tennis to the pro circuit.

Matias opens up about the challenges of competing at the highest levels, the mental toughness required to handle life on the road, and how he balances his passion for tennis with staying grounded off the court. We dive deep into his training routines, how he prepares for matches, and his insights on the importance of having the right gear, including his go-to Diadem equipment.

Whether you’re an aspiring player or a tennis enthusiast, you won’t want to miss this inspiring episode full of valuable advice, personal stories, and a glimpse into what it takes to succeed as a Breakthrough Tour athlete.

What's up, Team Diadem? We're back with another electrifying episode of Courtside Sessions, and this time, we're thrilled to host a true tennis powerhouse, Ryan Knarr! If you’ve been following Diadem, you know Ryan as one of our top ambassadors and the USA High School Coach of the Year in 2021. He’s also the President-Elect for USTA Middle States, overseeing a vast community of tennis enthusiasts.

In this episode, Ryan and Diadem Kev dive deep into his remarkable journey from being a late-blooming player to a key figure in tennis coaching and administration. We discuss his diverse experiences from playing across all NCAA divisions to his impactful work with community tennis programs.

Ryan shares his insights on building a strong support system, navigating college tennis, and the importance of responsibility, trust, and belief in developing junior players. He also opens up about overcoming injuries, balancing passion with the business side of the sport, and his vision for growing the game.

Catch all this and more as Ryan recounts his path, from his early days in tennis to his current roles shaping the future of the sport. Whether you’re a player, coach, or just a tennis fan, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice.