A podcast discussing the happenings in the wacky world of professional tennis. Hosted by Ben Rothenberg and Courtney Nguyen.
Episodes
Tuesday Feb 17, 2015
Tuesday Feb 17, 2015
As they rapidly approach triple digits, Ben and Courtney discuss the week that was in Rotterdam, Antwerp, and beyond! What do we make of Stan Wawrinka's start to 2015, and is Tomas Berdych an underachiever? Over in Belgium, what is it that makes Alize Cornet and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova so glorious to behold? Then we introduce our new segment Slay/Drag, where we discuss the biggest winners and losers of the week. Our pal Reem Abulleil then joins the show to talk about the state of tennis in the Middle East as the tours move to Dubai and Doha. Lastly, we take a number, rant a bit, and discuss plans for the big 1-0-0. As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting platform of choice may be!
Tuesday Feb 10, 2015
Tuesday Feb 10, 2015
What was supposed to be a quiet week of post-Slam relaxation turned into anything but, and Ben and Courtney are here to break it all down for you. First and foremost, what do we make of Serena Williams' surprise decision to return to Indian Wells this year, ending a 14-year boycott of the event after an ugly, racially charged scene in 2001? How she will be received, and how has the boycott hung over the tournament in her absence? Next, we discuss the surprise coaching move of Genie Bouchard snatching up Victoria Azarenka's coach Sam Sumyk. We then get into some dubious results away from the spotlight, involving Malek Jaziri and Denys Molchanov. Then, as expected, Courtney rants about women's soccer and Ben complains about ineffective Eurovision staging. We have no complaints about you guys, though! Thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting platform of choice may be!
- Serena Williams' essay on ending her boycott in Time.
- Christopher Clarey's pre-season profile of Victoria Azarenka in The New York Times.
- Outlining the case against Denys Molchanov at DW on Sport.
- Courtney's US women's soccer rant on Forty Deuce.
- Eric Saade's 2010 and 2015 Melodifestivalen efforts, Manboy and Sting.
Tuesday Feb 03, 2015
Tuesday Feb 03, 2015
Another Grand Slam is in the book, and Ben and Courtney think you probably could have guessed the ending. What do we make of Serena Williams' 19th Grand Slam? How does it change her place in history, and why is Serena-Sharapova actually the best rivalry in the WTA? (And yes, it IS a rivalry). And how about Novak Djokovic's fifth Australian Open title, and the bubbling bad blood that seems to be brewing in the ATP? We also discuss the breakout runs of Madison Keys and Nick Kyrgios, because those kids are pretty cool. Parental Advisory: Explicit Content, as always, just like the Andy Murray box. Thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting platform of choice may be!
Friday Jan 09, 2015
Friday Jan 09, 2015
It's the NCR Season 4 premiere! Ben and Courtney kick off 2015 with their early impressions of the season and how the stars are aligning. What to make of Serena's undercaffeination? And how much panic is justified for Rafael Nadal's justifiably mediocre results over the past seven months? Also, we ruminate on the injury return of Juan Martin del Potro and the departure of IPTLers Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Marin Cilic. Then, how about the mouths on those kids Borna Coric and Nick Kyrgios? We wrap with a look back at the history of our show and the revival of Forty Deuce, before the nighttime winter snake discusses frozen and the feminine archetypes that upset fictional pigs. As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting platform of choice may be?
Friday Dec 26, 2014
Friday Dec 26, 2014
On the NCR season finale (delayed by foreseen holidays and unforeseen technical difficulties), Ben and Courtney put a bow on the 2014 season. First, what to make of the rich-getting-richer prize money increases at the Masters level? Are those deserved by the top players over lower-tier players? How do hall of fame votes work, and what do we make of the very level nominee class of Kafelnikov, Bruguera, Mauresmo and Pierce? Then we remix Take a Number for the holidays, and imagine gifting among the game's best. Lastly, in a post-outro segment, we talk about the podcasting phenomenon that was Serial, in a spoilery way you'll want to avoid if you haven't finished listening to that show. As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following on Twitter, and subscribing and reviewing on iTunes! Happy holidays, happy new year, and see you in 2015!
Sunday Nov 30, 2014
Sunday Nov 30, 2014
Stuffed with turkey and gratitude, Ben and Courtney stick a fork into the 2014 season by looking back at the Davis Cup final and the rest of this improbable season. Was the Swiss win more about Swiss excellence or French failure? Who had the better year, Stan or Roger? And does Mirkagate somehow shed light on the shadowiest parts of the sport? Also, we discuss the recent coaching changes made by Simona Halep and Genie Bouchard on the heels of breakout seasons. We cover this all with a gravy boat of gratitude, and recount what we're thankful for in tennis and beyond. And for dessert, we rant about stuff and Courtney, for a change, curses you all with horrendous music. As always, thanks for following us on Twitter, liking us on Facebook, and subscribing and reviewing on iTunes or your podcast app of choice! Gobble, gobble, dear listeners.