No Challenges Remaining

Episode 61: The Commentariat Remembers

In Episode 61, Ben and Courtney briefly discuss the wildly underwhelming Davis Cup final, then start diving into your questions! You wanted to know lots about the cautionary tale known as Janko Tipsarevic--which top players on both the ATP and WTA are most likely to mirror his slide in 2014? Then we discuss Agnieszka Radwanska, and how elegantly she is masked. Then a hypothetical: could present-day Serena beat present-day John McEnroe? We then take a number which amuses Courtney greatly, and wrap it up with a stroll down memory lane. Let's talk it out like yeah, you guys! As always, thanks for following us on Twitter, liking our page on Facebook, and subscribing to us and reviewing us on iTunes!

Episode 60: All The Fall

For the first time in over a month, Ben and Courtney are finally back together in the NCR Studios for a full episode! There is a whole lot to catch up on, obviously. First, how did Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams change their statuses in the game compared to the rest of the field? And just how much ground did Rafael Nadal and Victoria Azarenka lose, respectively? We also share tales from the road, a winding swing that took the two of us to far-off locales like Shanghai, Stockholm, Istanbul, Paris, and London. What do we make of each of those places and how their cultures embrace tennis? And what is the current state of the tennis media, broadly speaking? It can be hard out here for a tennis writer, but life is easy when we have listeners as awesome as all y'all. As always, thanks for following us on Twitter, liking our page on Facebook, and subscribing to us and reviewing us on iTunes!

Episode 58: Dmitry Tursunov

Ben and Courtney remain on the road, traversing Europe and Asia, but they've now met in the middle just in time to bring you Episode 58, which is an interview with Dmitry Tursunov, one of the game's greatest talkers, and a player who has better blogging bonafides than nearly any other. We talk to Tursunov about the difficulties of life on tour, especially bouncing between the ATP Tour and Challengers. We also discuss how hard it is to keep a relationship while on tour, and how he wants to steal Grigor Dimitrov back from Maria Sharapova. Basically, if he was a Sugarpova flavor, he'd be "Envious," and it would be green and sour. New episode live from Istanbul coming soon, but in the meantime enjoy Dmitry! And thanks as always for  liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and leaving us reviews on iTunes! 

Episode 57: Ain't Nothing But a Number One

In Episode 57, Ben and Courtney have no ketchup, but plenty of tennis in Asia! What do our protagonists make of the action in Tokyo, and the surprising results of Kvitova, Venus, and Azarenka? And what about Genie Bouchard, and the showcase-less cohort of young women she seems to be leading at the moment? And what of the Asian swing in general? Precious or pointless? Then we discuss the retirement announcement of David Nalbandian, which flows us nicely into a discussion of who is the "best" player never to have won a Grand Slam title. Then we take a number, which is usually short and straightforward, but hardly was this time around. Take this one from the top.  As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and leaving us reviews on iTunes!  We've always thought you're second to none too, dear listeners.

Episode 56: Davis, Drouet, Doubles, and D'U-S-A

In Episode 56, Ben and Courtney reflect on all sorts of fun stuff, starting with the happenings in this year of Davis Cup. What do we make of the upcoming Americans vs. British battle, and just the Davis Cup format in general? Are major overhauls needed? Then the "diary" of Thomas Drouet, and what (if anything) we learned about the Tomics from it. Did Taylor Townsend stop juniors too early, and how should that decision be made? What is the relevance of doubles to the professional game these days? Who in the big four has the biggest demons heading into 2014? And whose year can benefit most from a big finish? Lastly, we take a number, because we like giving you big enchilada-sized shows. We're proud to have you as listeners, folks, and we would totally chant all of your initials if we knew them.  As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and leaving us reviews on iTunes! 

Episode 55b: U.S. Open and Shut (Part 2)

Episode 55b, fittingly, picks up where Episode 55a left off! Ben and Courtney continue discussing the U.S. Open, starting off with Roger Federer's thoroughly depressing tournament. Then comes Richard Gasquet, who finally made it back deep into a Slam. Lastly it's John Isner, and we chat about both the much discussed crowd at his loss to Gael Monfils as well as his (and Tim Smyczek's!) third round exits. Then we go rapid fire through your questions, covering all the ones we had received by recording time as efficiently as we could. Lastly, Courtney left the tournament early and didn't get a hoodie, and she is not happy about that. But we are happy about you, dear listeners!  As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and leaving us reviews on iTunes! You never leave us out of gas.

Episode 55a: U.S. Open and Shut (Part 1)

Our US Open wrap-up episode is better late than never, Ben and Courtney hope! Episode 55 was recorded the night the tournament ended, but has been delayed by a whole lot of technical difficulties (computers) and biomechanical difficulties (sleepy people). But now that it's here, you'll enjoy it! This episode looks back on the 2013 U.S. Open that was, but also the U.S. Open that wasn't. Why did this tournament feel flat? Flat or not, what do we make of the champions Rafa and Serena? And the runners-up, Djokovic and Azarenka? And what about Serena-Sloane, which was actually awesome? We also discuss the role of scheduling, and some of the breakout players of the tournament. But wait, there's more! Episode 55 was so long that we split it in two, so plan for Episode 55b to be dropping some time later this week. As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and leaving us reviews on iTunes! And thanks for listening!

Episode 54: It's Gonna Be a U.S. Open Preview!

Live, from New York, it's Episode 54 of No Challenges Remaining! From their Manhattan studio, Ben and Courtney discuss all things 2013 U.S. Open. What do we make of the withdrawal of Maria Sharapova Sugarpova Shoulderpova? Is Serena Williams' year a bust if she doesn't win a second Grand Slam? And is Serena-Sloane actually in some ways the best rivalry in the game today? Other topics include Nadal's dominance and health, Djokovic's diplomacy, Hingis' underwhelming comeback, Ivanovic's Twitter debut, Cohen-Majeric, players we pick to make surprise runs, and the joke that is the third quarter of the men's draw. Lastly, we both feel the need to talk to an adult about what Miley Cyrus did to us, and how underwhelming the comeback of the great *NSYNC was. God must've spent a little more time on you, dear listeners, because you are awesome.  As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and leaving us reviews on iTunes! 

Episode 53: Jelena Jankovic and the Greatest Roadtrip in Sports

On Episode 53, a roadshow, Ben and Courtney look back in the rearview mirror at happenings in Cincinnati, and forward to what it all means for the U.S. Open. What made Maria Sharapova dump Jimmy Connors after just one match? How is Serena Williams' friendliness toward Victoria Azarenka affecting their matches? Is the Federer-Nadal rivalry we saw glimpses of Cincinnati inherently better than the Djokovic-Murray rivalry ever can be? And has John Isner set himself up as the savior American tennis needs? As if all that wasn't enough, we sit down with the lovely Jelena Jankovic to discuss staying glamorous on tour. We can't give too much away, but she uses the words "very sexy" "dandruff" "hygiene" and "ingrown toenail." Enjoy. As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and leaving us reviews on iTunes! 

Episode 52A: Au Revoir, Marion Bartoli

Episode 52A marks just the second time that Ben and Courtney have rushed into the NCR Studios for an "emergency episode," this time necessitated by the shockingly sudden retirement announcement of Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli Wednesday night in Mason, Ohio. We have all sorts of opinions and feelings on the announcement, and on the woman herself. Hear how we found out, surrounded by stunned French players, and also hear first-hand how Marion spoke about her career just two days before the stunning stop of her career. As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and leaving us reviews on iTunes! À bientôt, Marion.