Episodes
Sunday Jun 26, 2022
Episode 341: Walking Around Wimbledon’s Century
Sunday Jun 26, 2022
Sunday Jun 26, 2022
On the 100th birthday of Centre Court, Ben is joined by Alexandra Willis, the director of communications and marketing for Wimbledon, and the two of them take a walk into Centre Court's most hallowed places.
Along the way, we discuss Wimbledon's continuing balancing between retaining history and progressing to the present, plans of growth ahead, and the circumstances and consequences of the ban of Russian and Belarusian players this year.
Spice up your ears and enjoy!
Friday Jun 24, 2022
Episode 340: Wimbledon 2022 Draw Preview
Friday Jun 24, 2022
Friday Jun 24, 2022
Ben and Tumaini Carayol are back together again at Wimbledon for another look ahead at a Grand Slam draw, looking at the men's field, the women's field, and a concerning hole on the side of Court 14.
After a general look at the draw balance--and the intrigue missing from the field because of the ban of Russian and Belarusian players--Ben and Tumaini dig into the men's draw, in which balance emerged despite some misleading seedings, with Hubert Hurkacz and Matteo Berrettini landing in separate quarters from fellow contenders Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
On the women's side, we discuss Serena Williams' unexpected return and her prospects, Ons Jabeur's comfort in this world, Bianca Andreescu reasserting her gifts, and Iga Swiatek's chances of extending her streak of dominance. Also, justice for Julia Pegula.
Thanks for listening, as always!
Friday Apr 22, 2022
Episode 336: Was Wimbledon Right to Ban Russians and Belarusians?
Friday Apr 22, 2022
Friday Apr 22, 2022
Wimbledon took the drastic step of banning all Russian and Belarusian players from this year's tournament, escalating the impact that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has had on the world of tennis.
Tumaini Carayol joins Ben to discuss this decision, where it fits into the British political context, and how it might further divide an already fractious sport.
Is fairness a possible concept amid a war? What can we learn from past precedents? And what might tennis authorities have to do next as this war shows no sign of abating?
Thank you for listening to NCR! We are on Patreon, Twitter, and your favorite podcast apps.
Thursday Sep 16, 2021
Episode 310a: Emma Raducanu Wins U.S. Open; What, Like It‘s Hard?
Thursday Sep 16, 2021
Thursday Sep 16, 2021
Ben and Courtney dive right into the paradigm shifting, generational groundshaking moment that shocked the tennis world this week in New York: the photo of Maria Sharapova with the Williams Sisters at the Met Gala.
After that, we turn our sights to the new star born in New York, Emma Raducanu, who won history as the first qualifier to win a Slam. What made her such a juggernaut on court? And how will her broad base of support in strong markets like Britain and China make her a force off court?
We also discuss the thrilling underdog run of runner-up Leylah Fernandez, Barbora Krejcikova's still-remarkable year, Ash Barty's disappointing exit, and the first week MVP that was Sloane Stephens.
We also have a long chat about Naomi Osaka, and how a break from tennis might be just what she needs to recalibrate and recontextualize her career.
Thank you again for the incredible support for NCR we've received on the NCR Patreon which has powered us into our TENTH(!) ad-free season! Please consider joining in as we bring you the best shows we can this year! And thank you to the many listeners who have already given their support! (And thank you to G.O.A.T. backers J O'D, Pam Shriver, and Nicole Copeland!)
Saturday Jun 26, 2021
Episode 302: Quiet, Please - Wimbledon 2021 Draw
Saturday Jun 26, 2021
Saturday Jun 26, 2021
Ben and Courtney reunite from eight time zones apart to discuss the men's and women's draws at Wimbledon, where the tours return after two years away.
We start with the men, where Novak Djokovic is a clear favorite. But the French Open taught us to be ready for surprises, right?
The women's side is, as typical, quite wide open. And like the men, there's some incomplete data for these players on grass which makes it all trickier than a slice from a carving station.
Thank you again for the incredible support for NCR we've received on the NCR Patreon which has powered us into our TENTH(!) season! Please consider joining in as we bring you the best shows we can during the Wimbledon! And thank you to the many listeners who have already given their support! (And thank you to G.O.A.T. backers J O'D, Mike, Pam Shriver, and Nicole Copeland!)
Wednesday Jul 17, 2019
Episode 230: Halep Takes the Wheel; Big 3 Roll
Wednesday Jul 17, 2019
Wednesday Jul 17, 2019
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.
Sunday Jun 30, 2019
Episode 229: A Wimbledon Preview From Centre Court
Sunday Jun 30, 2019
Sunday Jun 30, 2019
On their second try, Ben and Courtney recorded a Wimbledon preview from Centre Court, full of rehearsals for the big show which begins tomorrow (no, we don't mean Edmund-Munar).
First on the quarter of death in the women's draw, led by Ash Barty (whom Serena Williams was surprised and delighted to learn was #1) and including Serena, Kerber, Sharapova, Muguruza, and more.
Then we also talk dudes, including our hopes that the blockbuster Nadal-Kyrgios second round materializes.
And lots 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 #NCR228!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.
Sunday Jun 24, 2018
Episode 208: Eleanor Preston
Sunday Jun 24, 2018
Sunday Jun 24, 2018
Ben and Courtney go back to their curtain-pulling roots to bring you the wisdom of Eleanor Preston, who works as Media Manager at the Nature Valley Classic where B+C were this week, as well as other various roles in sporting events around the globe.
We discuss credentialing (one of the things we're asked about most), press conferences, diversity in media, and much more. We then finish with a very brief wrap of what's happened on the grass so far.
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 #NCR208!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!