Spin The Racket

Spin The Racket

By: Spin The Racket

Language: en

Categories: Sports, Tennis

This is the recreational tennis pod. Hosts Gerard Dash and Luis Arana bring you inside the world of recreational tennis with interviews, stories, and insights that speak to the everyday player. Whether you're grinding through league matches, picking up your first racket, or juggling pickleball and tennis, this is your courtside companion. Expect real talk about league tennis, new gear, and stories from the courts you play on. New episodes drop bi-weekly. Subscribe now and join the conversation that's been missing from tennis media – the one that's actually about us.

Episodes

Secrets of Success: Diving into the Atlanta Open and the Future of Tennis with Eddie Gonzalez | Spin The Racket Ep. 10
Oct 24, 2025

In this episode of Spin The Racket, hosts G and Lu invite Eddie Gonzalez, former director of the Atlanta Open, to share his journey in tennis, the evolution of D1 college tennis, the importance of community tennis organizations, and the unique atmosphere of the Atlanta Open. They explore the challenges of running a tennis tournament, the significance of player relationships, and the future of American men's tennis. Eddie shares insights on innovations in tennis events and his current projects, emphasizing the health benefits of tennis and the need for continued growth in the sport.

Duration: 01:02:59
Chasing Dreams: James Hopper's Journey from DIII College Tennis to the Challengers | Spin The Racket Ep. 9
Oct 11, 2025

In this episode, G and Lu dive deep into the journey of professional tennis player James Hopper, exploring his transition from a college athlete to the professional circuit. James shares insights about his early life, the challenges of balancing multiple sports, and the pivotal moments that shaped his tennis career. He discusses his experiences at Case Western and Virginia, the mental and physical demands of professional tennis, and the importance of recovery and training. James also offers valuable advice for aspiring players and reflects on the financial realities of pursuing a career in tennis. The conversation wraps up with...

Duration: 01:09:51
From Standout to Stand-Up: Giulio Gallarotti on Tennis and Comedy | Spin The Racket Ep. 8
Sep 27, 2025

In this episode of Spin the Racket, comedian Giulio Gallarotti joins G and Lu to share his insights on tennis, his personal journey in comedy, and the evolving landscape of both sports and entertainment. He discusses his tennis philosophy, the current state of the ATP tour, and the impact of young players like Alcaraz and Sinner. Giulio also reflects on the challenges of maintaining a career in comedy, the importance of consistency, and the balance between talent and hard work. The conversation touches on various topics, including the drama at the US Open, the rise of pickleball, and the...

Duration: 00:57:58
Deep Dive: JY Aubone, former pro, coach, & two-time All-American, and INTENNSE, the newest professional tennis league | Spin The Racket Ep. 7
Sep 14, 2025

In this episode of Spin The Racket, host G and Lu welcome JY Aubone, Director of Player Relations and Media Host at INTENNSE. They discuss JY's extensive background in tennis, his transition from professional tennis player to coach, and the innovative concept of INTENNSE, a team-based tennis format. The conversation covers the challenges of becoming a professional tennis player, the importance of community in the sport, and the future of American men's tennis. JY shares insights on superstitions, coaching experiences, and the excitement surrounding INTENNSE matches, as well as his thoughts on the current state of tennis and the...

Duration: 01:04:27
The US Open Runway: Rating the Best and the Worst Fashions of the Tournament -- Is it a Fit or a Fault? | Spin The Racket Ep. 6
Sep 06, 2025

In this episode of Spin The Racket, hosts G and Lu welcome Sarah Christopher as they dive into the intersection of tennis and fashion at the US Open. They discuss their personal experiences with tennis, Sarah's creative career in sports branding, and the cultural significance of fashion in tennis. The conversation transitions into a segment called 'Fit or Fault,' where they critique the fashion choices of top players such as Alcaraz, Sinner, Gauff, Shelton and others at the US Open, highlighting trends, standout outfits, and some underwhelming looks. The hosts emphasize the importance of representation and creativity in...

Duration: 01:06:13
SPECIAL: US Open 2025 Preview: Predictions, Dark Horses, and Key Matchups | Spin The Racket Ep. 5
Aug 24, 2025

In this episode of Spin The Racket, hosts Gerard and Lu, along with special guest Nic Howe, dive into the excitement surrounding the upcoming US Open. They discuss the changes in the mixed doubles format, the appeal of doubles tennis, and analyze both the women's and men's draws. Predictions are made for potential champions, and the hosts share their thoughts on various players' performances and styles. The conversation highlights the significance of the US Open in the tennis calendar and the unique atmosphere it creates for players and fans alike.

Duration: 00:56:45
Catching up on local tennis, ATP tour round up, and introducing Courtside Chats (our first Q&A) | Spin the Racket Ep. 4
Aug 19, 2025

In this episode of Spin The Racket, Gerard and Lu discuss their recent experience playing USTA tournaments and share personal anecdotes about fitness, training, and the challenges of managing expectations in matches. The episode also features a segment called Courtside Chat, where they answer listener questions about ranking Grand Slams and the best generation of tennis players. The conversation wraps up with a lighthearted hypothetical match-up between the hosts.

Duration: 00:52:49
Catching up on local tennis, ATP tour round up, and introducing Courtside Chats (our first Q&A) | Spin the Racket Ep. 4
Aug 19, 2025

In this episode of Spin The Racket, Gerard and Lu discuss their recent experience playing USTA tournaments and share personal anecdotes about fitness, training, and the challenges of managing expectations in matches. The episode also features a segment called Courtside Chat, where they answer listener questions about ranking Grand Slams and the best generation of tennis players. The conversation wraps up with a lighthearted hypothetical match-up between the hosts.

Duration: 00:52:49
Navigating the Transition from College Competition to the Recreational Tour | Spin The Racket Ep. 3
Aug 10, 2025

In this episode of Spin the Racket, hosts Gerard and Lu welcome their first guest, Jake Tuchmann, to discuss his journey as both a competitive tennis and pickleball player. They explore the impact of match length on player performance, the balance between academics and athletics in college tennis, and the transition from competitive play to recreational leagues. Jake shares his personal journey, including hydration and nutrition strategies for maintaining energy during matches, the importance of recovery, and lessons learned from injuries. They reflect on the competitive spirit in sports, the importance of mental stability, and the technical differences between...

Duration: 01:02:01
Turf Wars: The Pickleball Boom and How It's Reshaping Tennis Spaces | Spin The Racket Ep. 2
Jul 27, 2025

In this episode, Gerard and Luis discuss their experiences with tennis and the growing popularity of pickleball. They explore the joy of playing and watching tennis, the challenges of improving skills as adults, and the impact of pickleball on tennis infrastructure. G and Lu emphasize the importance of community engagement and the need for a balanced coexistence between tennis and pickleball.The conversation delves into the pros and cons of standardizing tennis balls across tournaments, highlighting the financial implications and the potential loss of local nuances in the sport.

Duration: 00:40:15
First Set: Should Wimbledon Change? | Spin The Racket Ep. 1
Jul 17, 2025

🎾 Welcome to "Spin The Racket," where we dive into the world of recreational tennis! Join hosts Gerard and Luis as they share their personal journeys into the sport, discuss the inspiration behind starting the podcast, and introduce the engaging segment "Spin the Racket." In this episode, they tackle the fun debate: should Wimbledon change? Plus, get a sneak peek into what's coming next in episode two. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, this podcast is your go-to for all things tennis. Stay tuned and keep spinning! 🎙️

Duration: 00:39:49