Tennis Is Life Waikiki Cup

In this episode of Tennis Is Life, brought to you by the Waikiki Cup, U.S, men's tennis stars Mackie McDonald and Jenson Brooksby sit down with Kevin Skinner, Jared Carstenn, and Ben Goldsmith for this insightful interview.  

In this episode we discuss:

1.  What do Mackie and Jenson think the exhibition match results at the 2022 Waikiki 株塾 Cup (December 17, 2022) foreshadows about the rest of the year? Did it bring to focus anything to improve on for 2023?
2. Was the exhibition match a friendly match, even with some "tough" points?
3. Are Mackie and Jenson feeling the American bump, with so many American men rising in the rankings? What is the vibe within the American players vs. other countries?
4. Is there pressure to "be the guy" who is a top American tennis player again?
5. The 2022 Waikiki Cup was Brooksby' s first exhibition. What did he think about it?
6. What is one goal to accomplish in 2023?

This interview was recorded on December 17, 2022, after the Waikiki 株塾 Cup, a three-day tennis event held in Waikiki, Hawaii. This interview was recorded in the lobby of the Outrigger Reef, which was the 2022 Official Resort & Hotel Partner of the Waikiki 株塾 Cup.

The Men’s Singles match of the 2022 Waikiki Cup was a competitive match with Mackenzie winning both sets over Jenson Brooksby, 6-4, 6-2. Prior to the men's singles match, Claire Liu and Mackenzie McDonald defeated CoCo Vandeweghe and Jenson Brooksby 7-5 in a wildly entertaining mixed doubles set.



Season 2 of "Tennis Is Life" is airing new episodes! For announcements on airings, follow the @WaikikiCup social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

In this episode of Tennis Is Life, American WTA tennis star Claire Liu sits down with Kevin Skinner, Jared Carstenn, and Ben Goldsmith for this candid interview.  In this episode we discuss:

1. What it feels like to rise in the rankings
2. Claire's background and the pressure from grabbing the spotlight in her early teens
3. The line between cheering on fellow American WTA players as they all push each other to rise in the rankings and simultaneously competing in an individual sport
4. Goals for 2023
5. Adding fun into tennis, and working in Hawaii!
6. Life outside of pro tennis and hobbies 
7. "The Hawaii Bump" and the luck that follows those who play in Waikiki ;) 

This interview was recorded on December 17, 2022, after the Waikiki 株塾 Cup, a three-day tennis event held in Waikiki, Hawaii, in which Claire Liu was a participant. This interview was recorded in the lobby of the Outrigger Reef, which was the 2022 Official Resort & Hotel Partner of the Waikiki 株塾 Cup.
Season 2 of "Tennis Is Life" is airing new episodes! For announcements on airings, follow the @WaikikiCup social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

In this episode of Tennis Is Life, former world No. 9 CoCo Vandeweghe sits down with Kevin Skinner, Jared Carstenn, and Ben Goldsmith for this insightful interview.  In this episode we discuss:

1.  The mental challenges of embarking on a comeback
2. CoCo's family history in sports and competitions and the pressure to live up to expectations
3. How and why she become a pro tennis player
4. How CoCo remains her authentic self in an individual sport
5. How to deal with loneliness on tour away from family and friends
6. Hawaii adventures and making new memories

This interview was recorded on December 17, 2022, after the Waikiki 株塾 Cup, a three-day tennis event held in Waikiki, Hawaii. This interview was recorded in the lobby of the Outrigger Reef, which was the 2022 Official Resort & Hotel Partner of the Waikiki 株塾 Cup.

CoCo Vandeweghe won the Waikiki 株塾 Cup Women’s Singles title against Claire Liu. Liu took the first set, but Vandeweghe came back in a thrilling 10-point tiebreak set to win 4-6, 6-4, 11-9. 
Season 2 of "Tennis Is Life" is airing new episodes! For announcements on airings, follow the @WaikikiCup social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

In this episode of Tennis Is Life, Kei Nishikori sits down with Kevin Skinner, Jared Carstenn, and Ben Goldsmith for this insightful interview. 

In this episode we discuss:

1.  Kei's health update going into 2023
2. Kei's career motivations and his love for tennis
3. Family
4. Kei's predictions for the 2023 tennis season
5. Kei's 2023 goals

This interview was recorded on December 17, 2022, after the Waikiki 株塾 Cup, a three-day tennis event held in Waikiki, Hawaii. This interview was recorded in the lobby of the Outrigger Reef, which was the 2022 Official Resort & Hotel Partner of the Waikiki 株塾 Cup.

Nishikori served as a chair umpire during the mixed doubles match at the Waikiki Cup. We highly recommend watching this wildly entertaining match on Tennis Channel for Kei's often hilarious calls and commentary.

About Kei Nishikori:

Kei Nishikori is a Japanese professional tennis player and former world No. 4.

Kei Nishikori was born on December 29, 1989 in Matsue, Japan, and started playing tennis at the age of five. Nishikori's career highlights include winning 12 singles titles, and becoming the first male player from an Asian country to reach a Grand Slam singles final at the 2014 US Open. He also won the bronze medal in singles at the 2016 Summer Olympics, bringing Japan its first Olympic tennis medal in 96 years. 

Kei Nishikori was the 2018 Hawaii Open champion (now Waikiki Cup). Nishikori defeated Canadian Milos Raonic, 76, 76. 
Kei Nishikori's rise to the top of the sport as a player from Japan helped inspire a new generation of tennis players in the country and has helped to grow the sport in Asia. 


Season 2 of "Tennis Is Life" is airing new episodes! For announcements on airings, follow the @WaikikiCup social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Brian Teacher, 
1980 Australian Open Champion
Pro Tennis Coach 
Hall of Fame inductee 

Brian Teacher is an American former professional tennis player. He was born on May 26, 1956, in Los Angeles, California. He started playing tennis at a young age and went on to have a successful career, reaching a career-high singles ranking of world No. 7 in 1980.
Teacher is best known for his doubles play, where he won several major titles and reached a career-high doubles ranking of world No. 3 in 1980. He also represented the United States in the Davis Cup, helping the team win the title in 1981.
After retiring from professional tennis, Teacher has gone on to have a successful career as a coach and commentator. He has worked with some of the top players in the game, including Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, and has been a commentator for several major tennis events, including the US Open and Wimbledon.
Overall, Brian Teacher had a significant impact on the sport of tennis as both a player and coach. With his impressive skills and experience, he continues to be a respected figure in the tennis community.
Season 2 of "Tennis Is Life" is airing new episodes! For announcements on airings, follow the @WaikikiCup social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Jill N. Craybas 
Jill N. Craybas is a retired American professional tennis player. She was born on June 27, 1975 in Hartford, Connecticut. Craybas began her professional tennis career in the late 1990s and was known for her consistent and powerful groundstrokes, especially her forehand.
Craybas was a regular competitor on the WTA Tour and had a successful career, reaching a career-high singles ranking of world No. 36 in 2006. She won one WTA singles title, the 2005 Nordea Nordic Light Open in Stockholm, Sweden. In addition, she reached several other singles and doubles finals during her career.
Craybas was also a member of the United States Fed Cup team and represented her country in several international competitions. After retiring from professional tennis, she has continued to stay involved in the sport as a coach and commentator.
Overall, Jill N. Craybas had a successful and memorable career in professional tennis, and her achievements will always be remembered by fans of the sport.
Season 2 of "Tennis Is Life" is airing new episodes! For announcements on airings, follow the @WaikikiCup social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.