No Challenges Remaining

Episode 148: Forehands and Backhands (sorta)

After an Indian Wells that wasn't much about tennis, Ben and Courtney hope to be able to move on in Miami...but not before trying to make sense of Novak Djokovic's clumsy PR maneuvers, and enjoying a seminar from Professor Billie Jean King. 

Then, is anyone closing the gap on Novak Djokovic? How much concern is merited over Serena Williams' recent losing streak of sorts? Is it fair to panic? And was this a meaningfully positive stretch for Halep and Muguruza, or still disappointing?

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

As detailed in Ben's rant, here's the NCR outro playlist for your enjoyment. 

Episode 147: "Ladies Know What I'm Talking About"

Back together at last, Ben and Courtney wrap up all the doings of Indian Wells for you, obviously first and foremost dealing with the controversial remarks of CEO and tournament director Raymond Moore (which led to his stepping down after we recorded). What do his remarks say about the current state of play between the ATP and WTA, especially as they concern gratitude or money or whatever? And how about the tremendous response of Serena Williams and the less tremendous response of Novak Djokovic?

Also, we talk the tennis that happened, including Venus' return, Nadal-Zverev, del Potro, and more. And some other stuff. Ladies will know what we're talking about. 

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 146: Rounding up Maria Sharapova

As the dust settles on a week that saw Maria Sharapova (and several busloads of other athletes) test positive for the newly-prohibited substance meldonium, Ben convenes a roundtable of tennis talkers to discuss the case and it's implications near and far. With friends of the show Jon Wertheim, Carole Bouchard and Simon Cambers, we discuss the test itself, what it means to Sharapova's legacy, how it could have happened, and all sorts of other related stuff, including French people who should keep their mouths shut about Rafael Nadal.

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 145A: Maria Sharapova Tests Positive for Banned Substance

Talk about your emergency episodes. After Maria Sharapova dropped the bombshell that she had tested positive for a (recently) banned substance at the Australian Open, Ben discusses the facts of the case with doping expert Richard Ings. Who is to blame here? What is the likely punishment? Was it fair to expect Sharapova to realize that something she had taken without incident for a decade was suddenly verboten? What can be done to prevent this happening again?

We'll have much more on this story as it unfolds in coming days, so stay tuned to NCR. 

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 145: Tennis Goes Hollywood

As February and its unexpected results take a flying leap, Ben and Courtney discuss the month that was, and who emerges strong (looking at you, Sloane). We then pivot a bit, as we do annually, to the Oscars, which had more of a tennis hook than usual because of the attendance of Roger Federer, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova. Tennis stars are popular, you guys! Then, we discuss why women's tennis in particular gets so much more respect stateside than other sports, going off of a conversation on ESPN's Will & Kate (starting about 17 minutes in here). Lastly, we give shoutouts to our $25-level Kickstarter backers, each and every one of whom is an awesome person. 

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!