Cracked Racquets CEO and Founder Dalton Thieneman On Filling The Void And Becoming The Standard For College and Junior Tennis Coverage

Jason Stacy has been a mainstay on the tennis tour for several decades, and with work with World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has been groundbreaking. He joins the podcast to discuss his path to becoming one of the most respected high performance coaches in the game, and why he is constantly looking at problems and challenges from a different lens than his peers. Stacy goes in depth about his process for building trust with his players, and details the steps that Aryna Sabalenka took under his tutelage to have her major breakthrough, and become the best player in the world. Stacy explains his philosophy on working as both a fitness and mental coach, and outlines the pillars of his teaching, "The Three E's," which are emotions, energy and environment. The accomplished grappler in his spare time dives into the similarities between jujitsu and tennis, the unpredictable variables that make the sport unique, and why he has decided to write a book on his coaching philosophy, aptly titled "The Pressure Code." Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alexandra Stevenson joins the show to recap the WTA season, and discuss how each of the top players made their mark in 2025. Stevenson explains why Amanda Anisimova was the story of the tennis world this calendar year, and how the American has worked on her physical and mental sides to become a premier player. The analyst also assesses if Aryna Sabalenka's year was unfulfilled, dives into Iga Swiatek's growth on the court, and evaluates Coco Gauff's season which featured a Roland Garros Title and the decision to totally revamp her serve. Stevenson weighs in on Americans Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula, and explains why every young player should study Italian Jasmine Paolini. And the former WTA vet lists the players she expects to keep climbing up the rankings in 2026, headlined by teenage sensation Victoria Mboko. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cracked Racquets provides coverage of pro, college and junior tennis like nobody else in the industry. Their CEO and founder Dalton Thieneman joins the podcast to explain how the company was created, and in less than a decade became a destination for fans of the game. Thieneman explains the company's approach to broadcasting, and dives into their revolutionary "CrossCourt Cast" that enhances and expands college match broadcasts like never before. The CEO shares his own personal story as well, which features a day job as a lobbyist in the state of Indiana. Cracked Racquets features several successful podcasts, partnerships with ESPN and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, and has added pickleball and volleyball broadcasts to their catalog. Listen to Dalton Thieneman, the man behind the media juggernaut. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Cranbook Tennis Classic has become one of the top events on the Challenger Tour, and founder David DeMuth joins the podcast to explain why he embarked on such a passionate journey to bring the pro game to Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. DeMuth discusses how the idea came to be, why the location is a perfect fit, and how in three short years the tournament has become one of the best on the calendar. With several upstart players competing such as 2024 champion Learner Tien, DeMuth shares some professional and personal stories about the impact that The Cranbook Tennis Classic has had on his community. David DeMuth is also the CEO at Doner Partners, and he has a highly successful career in marketing and advertising. The executive discusses how he uses his professional skills to help with his new tennis venture, and why telling the stories of players at the Challenger Level can be very valuable. The Cranbook Tennis Classic returns in the summer of 2026, and DeMuth pulls back the curtain on what really goes into putting on a pro tournament. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Texas A&M coach Steve Denton joins the podcast for a lengthy conversation about his time as the Texas A&M men's tennis coach, and he's built one of the premier programs in college tennis in the past two decades. Denton explains what he looks for in players, the value of teaching an all-court game, and why they've been able to churn out several pros including former Doubles No. 1 Austin Krajicek and cousins Valentin Vacherot and Arthur Rinderknech, who met in the Shanghai Masters Final in 2025. The coach also gets candid about his own pro career, which saw him reach No. 12 in the world in singles and reach two Australian Open Finals. Denton looks back on the day he beat John McEnroe, and explains why getting into coaching was the right decision for him. It's an all encompassing chat with one of the best and most renowned coaches in college tennis, so listen intently! Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

John Lloyd joins the podcast for an all-encompassing chat about the state of pro tennis, and how Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner continue to dominate the men's game. Lloyd examines the depth at the top of the sport, and explains why he's in favor of eliminating Best of 5 matches entirely. The former British No. 1 also reacts to Roger Federer's selection to be the newest International Hall of Fame member, and discusses who else deserves serious consideration. And as a former Davis Cup player and captain for Great Britain, Lloyd makes an impassioned plea for a complete reboot of the event. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Patrick Kypson joins the podcast to recap his sensational second half of the 2025 season, which included four Challenger Titles after a career-high ranking. Kypson recounts how he was able to lock in and win the USTA's Australian Open Wild Card Challenge, which gives him a spot in the main draw at next year's slam in Melbourne. The American explains how he was able to analyze and improve his game while injured, the reason why he enjoys playing on the clay, and why attacking and moving forward is crucial in the modern game. Kypson also dives into his North Carolina roots, which included a tough choice between tennis and a budding ice hockey career. The pro reveals how he stays calm on the court, his method for measuring success that does not include wins and losses, and what his hobbies are when he gets some down time. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 2025 season is over, and Hall of Famer writer Steve Flink joins the show to recap the ATP Finals and the year's top storylines. Flink analyzes how Jannik Sinner was able to defeat Carlos Alcaraz in Turin, and explains why the Italian is so tough to beat on indoor hard courts. The journalist examines the Italian's commitment to evolve, the gap between the top two and their peers, and how Novak Djokovic will adjust to his new position off of the top of the tennis mountain in 2026. And Flink assesses Felix Auger-Aliassime's first Top 5 ranking, and the state of American tennis. As someone who's written for many of the biggest tennis publications in the world, Flink has established himself as one of the most credible voices in the game. He recounts how he discovered a love for tennis, his first jobs in the industry, and what he learned from legendary mentors Bud Collins and John Barrett. The Hall of Famer even shares his favorite memory of the Davis Cup on this informative episode of Inside-In. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Eliot Spizzirri appears on this episode of the podcast to discuss his path to the pros, and how he has able to have a breakthrough season in 2025 and reach his career high ranking. Spizzirri recounts when his junior tennis career got serious, his crucial development years in college with the Texas Longhorns, and the unforgettable experience practicing with his idol Roger Federer. The American explains the emotions of competing in his first US Open, and the ultimate thrill in 2024 of winning three qualifying matches to reach the main draw, which received a congratulations from Matthew McConaughey. Spizzirri sheds light on what it takes to succeed in pro tennis, and the areas of his game he worked to improve as he rose up the ranks. The winner of the 2023 ITA All-American Championships also dives into what it's like facing the best in the sport, why he's benefited from fellow Americans who have offered advice, and what it's like having a twin brother who's an elite squash player, and equally competitive. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Journalist and Host Nick McCarvel joins the podcast for thorough discussion about the 2025 tennis season, and his many roles covering the game. McCarvel explains the differences at each of the four tennis majors, and looks back at the emotional tribute to Rafael Nadal at this year's Roland Garros. The journalist also shares his thoughts on the Sinner/Alcaraz rivalry and their place as the new leaders of the game, why it's a special bonus to have legends like Andre Agassi involved in the sport yet again. McCarvel also looks at the outstanding season on the WTA, which saw Amanda Anisimova's rise to the top and more terrific tennis from Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff. He examines where tennis coverage can improve, discusses his work with the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and why the Olympics hold a special place in McCarvel's heart. Hosted by Mitch Michals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.