No Challenges Remaining

2026 French Open Quarterfinals: Sabalenka's Shock Collapse and More

Ben and Tumaini discuss the eight quarterfinals played at Roland Garros and the semifinals that are now set up, starting with the men and going in reverse chronological order.

We start with Arnaldi winning The Battle Of The Matteos, setting up an all-Italian semifinal against Flavio Cobolli after Cobolli handed Felix Auger-Aliassime a bitter defeat. On the bottom half, we discuss Jakub Mensik stepping up against Joao Fonseca, and if anyone can stop heavy favorite Alexander Zverev, who has breezed through a pretty soft draw.

On the women's side, we start with the shocking loss of No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who seemed to be in full control before losing 12 of the last 13 games against Diana Shnaider to crash out. There were echoes of last year's defeat to Gauff, but this year's press conference was more good humored.

We then discuss the surprise run of Maja Chwalinska and the strong Kostyuk-Andreeva semifinal on the bottom half.

Lastly, we get into the news that the Serena comeback is now official, even if we really have no idea what to expect yet as Serena hasn't set any expectations yet.

A reminder that is still a 15% discount on Bounces subscriptions during this French Open!

Thank you for listening! Our Patreon is back up and running to ensure NCR keeps going and stays ad-free, and we hope you can join in supporting NCR! And we especially thank our GOAT backers: Pam Shriver and J. O'D.

2026 French Open Middle Stages: One Battle After Another

Ben and Tumaini are back after the third and fourth rounds of what's turned into a wild and thrilling French Open, particularly on the men's side where the post-Sinner free-for-all has produced stunning full-length battles over and over and over again.

We discuss Fonseca d. Djokovic, Jodar and the ball girl, Arnaldi d. Tiafoe, and Zverev's clear status as the favorite to win.

We also discuss the women's side exits of Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek.

And we're sorry that Ben's phone died mid-reading the Patrons list off of it!

A reminder that is still a 15% discount on Bounces subscriptions during this French Open!

Thank you for listening! Our Patreon is back up and running to ensure NCR keeps going and stays ad-free, and we hope you can join in supporting NCR! And we especially thank our GOAT backers: Pam Shriver and J. O'D.

2026 French Open: Sinner Collapses; What's Left Without Him?

Ben and Tumaini come together after one of the most shocking matches of our tennis lifetimes, with prohibitive favorite Jannik Sinner taking a commanding 6-3, 6-2, 5-1 lead before promptly stopping winning points and games, ultimately listlessly falling in five sets to Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

This episode has two big components: what happened to Sinner and why, and what's left of the field without him. Somebody else, stunningly, is going to win the 2026 French Open. But whom?

A reminder that is still a 15% discount on Bounces subscriptions during this French Open!

Thank you for listening! Our Patreon is back up and running to ensure NCR keeps going and stays ad-free, and we hope you can join in supporting NCR! And we especially thank our GOAT backers: Pam Shriver and J. O'D.

2026 French Open Round 1: Glittering Gold and Dripping Sweat

Ben and Tumaini wrap up the first round at this 2026 French Open, where it's been very hot and a bunch of the top 10 seeds haven't looked so hot, particularly on the men's side.

On the women's side, the car crashes have somehow been literal, but Naomi Osaka's fashion moment was a big hit in all the best ways.

Also some Bounces items mentioned: there's a 15% discount on subscriptions during this French Open, and you can read the recent pieces on Oleksandra Oliynykova and Emma Navarro at the links.

Thank you for listening! Our Patreon is back up and running to ensure NCR keeps going and stays ad-free, and we hope you can join in supporting NCR! And we especially thank our GOAT backers: Pam Shriver and J. O'D.

Draw Me Like One of Your French Opens, 2026

Ben and Tumaini keep everyone's favorite annual episode title going strong with a look at the draws for the 2026 French Open, where Jannik Sinner is a prohibitive favorite against an uninspiring men's field and the women's side seems far more up for grabs.

Can anyone stop Sinner? If so, whom? And who could even make it out of the bottom half?

On the women's side, we discuss Sabalenka, Swiatek, and a recent video involving Leylah Fernandez and her coach.

We also discuss the media "protest" that players staged during media days, with varying degrees of successful stagecraft.

Then to wrap up, we chat about our dear departed friend Howard Fendrich, the longtime AP tennis reporter who passed away this week. (You can read Ben's tribute to Howard here.)

Thank you for listening! Our Patreon is back up and running to ensure NCR keeps going and stays ad-free, and we hope you can join in supporting NCR! And we especially thank our GOAT backers: Pam Shriver and J. O'D.

Jannik Sinner, the Grandmaster (and Everyone Else in Rome)

Ben and Tumaini get back together at their kitchen table in Paris, discussing events of Rome, where the biggest story was Jannik Sinner making ATP history.

We discuss the enormity of Jannik Sinner having won all nine Masters 1000 events, and how the ATP's term for it is deeply suboptimal. It's not the most suspenseful tour right now, but it's impressive.

We also discuss the far more unpredictable women's field, including champion Elina Svitolina as well as Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Sorana Cirstea, and more.

We also discuss boycott talk (we don't think it's plausible but it's still notable), and the Italian Federation's stated goal of making Rome into the official "Fifth Slam."

Thank you for listening! Our Patreon is back up and running to ensure NCR keeps going and stays ad-free, and we hope you can join in supporting NCR! And we especially thank our GOAT backers: Pam Shriver and J. O'D.

Emergency Episode: Injured Carlos Alcaraz Out of Roland Garros & Rome

Ben called in Tumaini (who found a quiet corridor in Madrid) to record an emergency episode on the news of Carlos Alcaraz missing Rome and Roland Garros next month due to a concerning wrist injury.

We usually wouldn't do an emergency episode about a withdrawal, but the competitive relevance of Alcaraz to men's tennis is hard to overstate--he's defending champion of both events--and so we dig into what it means for both for Alcaraz himself and his future, as well as the competitive landscape of the tour without him. 

Also, we briefly discuss the abrupt and unforeseen exit of WTA CEO Portia Archer this week, after only about a year and a half in the job. 

Thank you for listening! Our Patreon is back up and running to ensure NCR keeps going and stays ad-free, and we hope you can join in supporting NCR! And we especially thank our GOAT backers: Pam Shriver and J. O'D.

Sinner Surges as Rivalry Resumes in Monte Carlo

In an episode that came out on video overnight for our Patreon backers, Ben and Tumaini discuss April events in tennis so far, including the Monte Carlo Masters from which Tumaini just returned.

Has Jannik Sinner meaningfully pulled ahead of Carlos Alcaraz right now? And have they pulled even further from the pack? Plus, Valentin Vacherot's unlikely staying power.

On the women's side, we cover the uncertainty around where the WTA Finals is going next (deja vu there) as well as Iga Swiatek's new coaching hire and her time on court with Rafa, and Coco Gauff showing vulnerability on social media.

Thank you for listening! Our Patreon is back up and running to ensure NCR keeps going and stays ad-free, and we hope you can join in supporting NCR! And we especially thank our GOAT backers: Pam Shriver and J. O'D.

Sabalenka and Sinner Double the Sunshine; Adios, Miami

Ben and Tumaini are back together in Miami, recording during the lengthy rain delay before the men's final--and then a bit afterward--about the happenings on and off court at the Miami Open.

Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner both continued their dominances, completing parallel Sunshine Double sweeps in style.

On the women's side, we also discuss Iga Swiatek's decision to part with coach Wim Fissette, and awkward moments in one of Coco Gauff's press conferences.

On the men's side, we discuss Arthur Fils' remarkably robust comeback from injury.

We also discuss the effort--in the name of the top 10 players--for more monetary support from the majors, as well as parting thoughts on the very unusual Miami Open venue.

Thank you for listening! Our Patreon is back up and running to ensure NCR keeps going and stays ad-free, and we hope you can join in supporting NCR! And we especially thank our GOAT backers: Pam Shriver and J. O'D.

Midway Through Miami

Ben and Tumaini have reunited for the Miami Open, a tournament which Tumaini  is covering for the first time. We start the show with his impressions of the city and the event itself, including its passionate crowds and very strange center court.

We then shift to a few of the intriguing results and players here, including the stunning Arthur Fils rout of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Sebastian Korda beating Carlos Alcaraz.

We also discuss Iga Swiatek's concerns and possible crossroads with her team, as well as Naomi Osaka's state of mind. 

Plus, we gush a bit about Aryna Sabalenka, as she increasingly deserves.

Thank you for listening! Our Patreon is back up and running to ensure NCR keeps going and stays ad-free, and we hope you can join in supporting NCR! And we especially thank our GOAT backers: Pam Shriver and J. O'D.