No Challenges Remaining

Episode 240: ATP Cup Begins; Fires Continue

As the week winds on in Brisbane, we first hear from one of the players already affected by the fires: Liam Broady, who had to reroute after traveling to Canberra for the challenger there before it was relocated.

Then we assess the first ATP Cup, which is now progressing to the knockout stages in Sydney. After thoughts from Novak Djokovic and Felix Auger-Aliassime, Ben is joined by reporters Courtney Walsh and Quentin Moynet to discuss the ATP Cup, where it came from, and what we make of its present and future.

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR240!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 236c: Reviewing New Davis Cup (with Eleanor Crooks)

To wrap up the highs and lows of the radically revamped Davis Cup Finals event which just wrapped in Madrid, Ben is joined by Eleanor Crooks of PA to get impressions from on the ground at the new "World Cup of Tennis" from a veteran reporter of the format.

How did expectations match realities? Which constituencies were most and least happy? What most needs addressing? And how does the relative success of Davis Cup change the pressure on ATP Cup, which is the next event on the men's tennis calendar?

Also, a bit of bonus talk about the new Andy Murray documentary, which comes out later this week. 

As always, thanks for liking  us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR236c!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 235: Dude Tennis With Ricky Dimon

In an annual NCR tradition, Ben is joined in DC by marathoner Ricky Dimon for a lookback at the ATP season that was. 

2019 offered a lot of the same in terms of Big 3 dominance--will the one who finishes with the most Slams automatically win G.O.A.T. debates? Though in 2019 there were also meaningful breakthroughs...right? And will Andy Murray be able to contend again soon?

We also look at the overflowing cupboard of cups in men's tennis, which now bulges with Laver Cup, new Davis Cup, and ATP Cup. Is there possibly an appetite for them all? And is it fair that ATP Cup awards points, unlike the other two?

Lastly, we go over a possible ballot for the ATP awards this year--as well as their inverses.

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR235!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 234: Tennis Politics with Vasek Pospisil

We're back with an interview from a bit ago with Vasek Pospisil, who has been using his spot on the ATP Player Council to lead a crusade for greater representation and compensation for players.

Ben and Vasek talk about those issues, as well as conflicts of interest, Justin Gimelstob, Chris Kermode, relations with the WTA player leadership, and more.

If you're interested in tennis politics, this is the episode for you.

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR234!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 232: U.S. Open 2019 Preview

On the eve of the U.S. Open, Ben and Courtney sit down with the draws to figure out who is going to win this thing. It only feels worth going so far on the women's side, given the parity and upheaval on that tour lately, whereas our men's picks are mighty confident--including for newcomer to the top Daniil Medvedev.

We discuss Serena-Sharapova, Bianca Andreescu, Hubert Hurkacz's mock turtleneck, Jannik Sinner's roots, and much more.

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR232!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 230: Halep Takes the Wheel; Big 3 Roll

Back on Centre Court among the debris of the men's final, Ben and Courtney wrap up the Wimbledon that was.

You'll hear much, including: why the men's and women's draws need each other so; the Coco Gauff breakthrough; Halep's incredible run; another close-but-no-cigar for Serena; we love Barbora Strycova; the media vs Johanna Konta; the Big 3 cruising until the late rounds and then playing matches high on drama if chunky on quality, especially the riveting Djokovic-Federer final; the wage theft from Bernard Tomic; and the imperative for tennis to find a way to foreground mixed doubles.

Until next time, keep calm and Carrie on. 

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR230!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 227: Draw Me Like One of Your French Opens, 2019

With hours to go before the 2019 French Open begins, Ben and Courtney sit down for a quick-ish rundown of who can win this tournament and why.

From Naomi to Novak, Rafa to Petra, Plisko to Delpo, Tsitsi to Kiki, it's all here. 

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR227!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 226: Nick Kyrgios

In our first player interview in a while, Ben sits down in Rome with Nick Kyrgios, who provides his remarkably unfiltered views on himself and others in tennis.

After a stupid saga of Twitter encounters, Ben and Nick's in-person chat offers infinitely more than 280 perspectives from one of the games most fascinating, complex, and divisive characters. You'll agree with parts, you'll disagree with parts, but mostly, hopefully, you'll be surprised by his honesty, for better or worse.

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR226!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 225: Quartermarks and Coups

Ben and Courtney catch up on the happenings on the tours over the past couple months, which has been dominated by the story of no one dominating. What's to explain the spread of unique winners on both tours? And is the real story, perhaps, the youth movement?

We discuss some of the more intriguing individual plotlines from this stretch as well, including Naomi Osaka splitting with her coach Sascha Bajin, how players like her will adjust to clay, Bianca Andreescu's mature breakout, and Denis Shapovalov's rapping and its reception.

Then onto the older guard, we talk about Roger Federer's relaxed, low-stakes mood going into clay, and if that could ever be possible for Serena Williams to enjoy in her career. Then we discuss the problematic fave status of John Isner, the coup of ATP chief executive Chris Kermode, the new-look Miami Open, and the slumping Daria Kasatkina. 

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR225!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

Episode 222: Steve The Talk - Stefanos Tsitsipas, with Vicky Georgatou

With Stefanos Tsitsipas breaking onto the world stage by beating Roger Federer and then backing it up, Ben is joined by Vicky Georgatou, the best (and only) Greek reporter following him around the tour as he's soared up the ranks and into the semifinals of the Australian Open

What has she made of his quick rise and his boisterous supporters here? And how will his unique personality hold up as he continues to grow as a superstar in Greece and abroad?

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR222!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!