Talk Tennis

Looking for honest tennis gear opinions?! In this Talk Tennis podcast episode, we hand out our unofficial Tennis Gear Awards for 2025 and cover some of the most overhyped racquets, surprise standouts, budget steals, and the gear guaranteed to start arguments at your local club...possibly!

If you’ve ever bought a racquet that felt amazing in your hand… until the first ball, or wondered whether certain “must-have” gear is actually worth it, this episode is for you. We break down what really matters so you can make smarter gear decisions and play with more confidence.

As tennis gear testers and industry insiders, we’ve hit, worn, and argued about more equipment than we can count. In this episode, we give you real-world takes, no marketing fluff, so you can avoid regret purchases and find gear that actually fits your game.

🏆 Awards We Hand Out:

The racquet that makes you feel like a pro (until reality hits)

Most Overhyped Tennis Gear of 2025

Biggest Surprise Gear Pick of the Year Gear that will absolutely start a fight at your club

Best Budget Tennis Gear That Plays Premium

The Petty Award: buying it purely because it looks cool 😏

Shop with us all over the WORLD:

🇺🇸 Tennis Warehouse -- http://www.tenniswarehouse.com

🇪🇺 TW Europe -- http://tenniswarehouse-europe.com

🇦🇺 Tennis Only AUS -- http://tennisonly.com.au 

Happy Hitting! 

What were the best tennis racquets, shoes, and strings of 2025—according to players who actually tested them? In this podcast episode, our playtest team sits down to break down the tennis gear that truly stood out after months of on-court testing.

With so many new racquets, shoes, and string setups released every year, it’s easy to waste money on gear that doesn’t match your game. This episode is designed to help competitive and passionate players cut through the noise and confidently choose equipment that delivers real performance—not just hype.

Our playtesters share honest opinions on what worked, what surprised us, and what didn’t live up to expectations. You’ll hear:

The best tennis racquets of 2025 for spin, control, and all-court play

The most comfortable and durable tennis shoes of 2025

The top tennis strings and setups our testers trusted in matches

Sleeper picks that flew under the radar

Which gear is worth upgrading to—and what you can skip

If you’re planning your next gear upgrade or just want expert insight before you buy, this episode gives you a clear plan to avoid costly mistakes and play with more confidence in 2026.

🎧 Get involved:

If you’ve ever hit a low point or felt like starting over is impossible, this conversation is for you. In today’s episode, we sit down with WTA pro, Jamie Loeb, as she opens up about one of the toughest years of her life—including losing her father, stepping away from the sport, and rebuilding herself mentally and physically for a 2026 comeback.

Tennis players and fans alike know how overwhelming it can feel when life derails your goals. That’s why this episode focuses on the human side of the journey: how she’s healing, how she’s training, and how she’s preparing to grind her way from the bottom of the rankings back into competing with the world’s best.

We’ve covered pro tennis for years, and this is one of the most honest, grounded, and inspiring conversations we’ve ever hosted. Whether you’re an athlete, a fan, or someone simply trying to bounce back from a hard season, her story offers perspective—and a reminder that a comeback isn’t a moment…it’s a process.

How she processed grief and burnout while stepping away from the WTA Tour

Why 2026 represents more than a comeback — it's a fresh start

The mindset shift that helped her rebuild confidence

What training looks like when you’re starting from the bottom

Her plan to climb back into the top ranks

The pressure, the hope, the grind… and the excitement for what’s next

If you’re looking for motivation or simply want to understand what life on tour really looks like beyond the match results, this conversation brings clarity and encouragement.

Happy Hitting 

In this episode, Catherine Harrison opens up about the toughest stretch of her career -- multiple injuries, months off tour, and the honest conversations that pushed her to rethink what longevity and success really mean. Now, with 2026 on the horizon, she’s committing fully to doubles to chase the Grand Slam she knows she’s capable of.

Tennis fans get an inside look at the mindset shift, the rehab grind, the challenge of rebuilding confidence, and what goes into choosing the right partner. Catherine breaks down how doubles offers a clearer path to winning at the biggest stages, and why this next chapter feels more intentional, more strategic, and more exciting than anything she’s done before.

Whether you’ve followed her since UCLA or discovered her on tour, this is Catherine’s open and detailed account and a powerful reminder of why comebacks in tennis matter.

You sent in your tennis gear questions — and we’re answering all of them 🎾

At Tennis Warehouse, we get that tennis gear can be overwhelming — so think of us as your friendly on-court guides. Whether you’re a seasoned player, a gear geek, or just getting started, you’ll walk away with practical answers, insider insights, and a few laughs along the way.

Here’s what we cover:

🎾 Racquet updates

🧵 String setups 

👟 Our current gear & playlists 

💡 Listener-submitted questions — answered live!

0:00:34 Football is here (bye Micah)! 🏈 & GO DODGERS! 💙

0:03:30 RESTRING Zero String Question

0:06:38 Tecnifibre TFight Question (new ones coming?)

0:08:26 Michelle & her RF97 / Pure Drive & her commitment issues & Dreddy Toroline Hybrid

0:11:00 Dustin Brown shout out

0:12:40 Ugly Strokes & backhands

0:18:00 Dead Strings Discussed

0:22:46 Gravity MP XL vs EZONE 98+ 0:25:15 Playtesters Playlist 🎶 🎧

0:27:54 Favorite mobility & warmup before tennis or on non-tennis days

0:30:27 What do we think about Danielle Collins?!

0:33:26 What strings are in that Pure Drive?!

0:34:47 What are our favorite tennis courts in SLO?!

0:38:26 Quality control: yonex vs everyone else

0:40:10 What's the most comfortable racquet that you love playing with?

0:43:00 Can you evaluate me hitting and what I should try or use?! We will match you to the best gear

0:44:44 Prince Legacy - should I get it?

0:45:08 What's the best Toroline string to try coming from BiPhase

0:46:50 Troy's gear RIGHT now!

0:49:55 Should Michelle buy this?! & her love for Quicksilver/Roxy Tennis back in the 90s!

In this Talk Tennis episode, we get real about cancer and tennis. Host Michelle sits down with Carolyn and teammate Erin from the Second Serve Pod to share how tennis built resilience, hope, and community all while battling Breast Cancer.

Life changes after a breast cancer diagnosis. In this episode, we hear how these tennis players found strength in the sport and how it related to their cancer treatments. In this inspiring conversation, Michelle, Carolyn, and Erin open up about how tennis became more than a game — it became a lifeline.

You’ll hear how the lessons learned on the court — perseverance, teamwork, and focus — helped them face cancer head-on and discover new ways to stay connected, even when they couldn’t play.

At Talk Tennis, we believe the power of sport extends far beyond competition. This episode celebrates the way tennis teaches resilience, builds friendships, and unites a community through every challenge — on and off the court.

🎧 Listen or Watch the Full Episode: https://youtu.be/L_LJkyqto8w 

💬 Join the Conversation:

👉 Connect with Michelle: https://www.instagram.com/and.she.sparkles/ 

👉 Connect with Carolyn & Erin at Second Serve Pod: https://www.instagram.com/secondservepodcast/ 

👉 If you feel compelled to donate to Breast Cancer Research: https://give.bcrf.org/fundraiser/6747806 

If you have any further questions or want to continue the conversation?! Email us at [email protected]  

Shop with us for all your TENNIS needs all over the WORLD:

🇺🇸 Tennis Warehouse -- http://www.tenniswarehouse.com

Happy Hitting!

Hot takes. Bold opinions. Playtesters have no filter talking all things tennis gear.

In this podcast, we serve up hot takes and controversial opinions on tennis gear. From racquets and strings to shoes and bags, nothing is off-limits. If it’s overrated, we’ll say it. If it’s a hidden gem, we’ll shout it out.

We’ve tested it all, and we’re here to help you cut through the hype so you don’t waste time or money on gear that won’t improve your game. Think of us as your gear guides—with just enough spice to keep things interesting.

If you have any further questions or want to continue the conversation?! Email us at [email protected]  

Shop with us for all your TENNIS needs all over the WORLD:

🇺🇸 Tennis Warehouse -- http://www.tenniswarehouse.com

Happy Hitting!

Looking for the next breakthrough in tennis strings? 🎾

In this Talk Tennis podcast, we dive deep into Grapplesnake, one of the newest and most talked-about string brands now available at Tennis Warehouse. If you’ve been wondering whether Grapplesnake can compete with big names like Luxilon or Solinco, this episode breaks it all down. We’ll share insights on how the strings feel, who they’re designed for, and whether they could take your game to the next level.

At Tennis Warehouse, we’ve tested thousands of strings — and Grapplesnake is making a bold entrance. Join us as we discuss performance, durability, and playability so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your game.

👉 Check out Grapplesnake & try it today: https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Grapplesnake_Tennis_Strings/catpage-GRAPPLESTR.html

Happy Hitting! 

Shop with us all over the WORLD:

🇺🇸 Tennis Warehouse -- http://www.tenniswarehouse.com

🇪🇺 TW Europe -- http://tenniswarehouse-europe.com

🇦🇺 Tennis Only AUS -- http://tennisonly.com.au

🎾 One-handed vs two-handed backhands: which one really reigns supreme?

In this podcast episode, we dive deep into the age-old tennis debate — and let’s just say, things got heated. 

We break down the strengths and weaknesses of each style, but along the way, the conversation turned into a fiery back-and-forth that even sparked a bit of fight.

If you’ve ever wondered why players are so passionate about their backhand, this episode is a must-listen. We bring you unfiltered tennis debates, honest opinions, and expert takes. This one had more fireworks than usual — and you’ll want to see how it all unfolded.

What should we debate next?!

Shop with us for all your TENNIS needs all over the WORLD:

🇺🇸 Tennis Warehouse -- http://www.tenniswarehouse.com

Happy Hitting!

https://youtu.be/SZtTEEEArFM

The playtest squad has some HOT Takes when it comes to the ATP & WTA Pro Tour...here we go...

What are your Pro Tennis Hot Takes?! 

Happy Hitting!