SI Tennis Podcast: Retired pro Michael Russell reflects on 17-year career

In this week's episode of the SI Tennis Beyond the Baseline Podcast, host Jon Wertheim talks with

In this week's episode of the SI Tennis Beyond the Baseline Podcast, Sports Illustrated executive editor and host Jon Wertheim talks with former American ATP player Michael Russell.

On the tour for 17 years, Russell retired after this year's U.S. Open and on the podcast he talks about his transition from the ATP Tour to his life after tennis, which includes ambitions for scholarships for players, training for aspiring professionals and more. Russell also discusses his battles with knee and shoulder injuries throughout his career and the financial effect his absence due to injuries had on his career. Wertheim also talks with the Detroit native about doping tests in tennis and its comparison to other sports, like MMA. Russell also names his top five fastest active players on the ATP Tour, how his tactics changed from early to late in his career, how his height (5'8") played a role in his game, the hardships of being a player ranked below the top 100 and more.

Listen to the SI Tennis Podcast below and to listen to more episodes, or other Sports Illustrated Podcasts, click here.