No Challenges Remaining

Episode 32: Freddie Nielsen

In Episode 32, Ben and Courtney look at Miami from afar, and are somewhat underwhelmed. Why has the tournament lacked spark thus far? We also discuss the state of Sloane Stephens, and what fair expectations for her are.  Then we take a couple listener questions, on the lack of early round television coverage at Indian Wells and Miami, as well as on the increasing Gimelstobification of tennis. Lastly, we bring you our final podcast interview from Indian Wells, this one with Freddie Nielsen, who won the Wimbledon 2012 men's doubles title in one of the most surprising tennis results in our lifetimes. Since you may not know Freddie, we had his longtime pal Caroline Wozniacki, a fellow Dane, give him a little introduction for you.  She suggests you enjoy this episode with a croissant in one hand and a hot chocolate in the other.

Episode 31: Mallory Burdette

In Episode 31, Ben and Courtney wrap the week that was in Indian Wells. How exactly did Rafael Nadal come back to the top so quickly, and what does it say about the rest of the tour? Are comparisons between Federer's willingness to play through back pain and the withdrawals of Azarenka and Stosur fair? Also, we discuss articles this week by Bruce Jenkins and Elizabeth Newman about the Williams Sisters' ongoing decision to skip Indian Wells, and how we feel about the decision ourselves. We then preview Miami, "take a number," and lastly wrap up with an interview with Mallory Burdette, the top-ranked former college player on the WTA Tour, who turned pro after making the third round of the 2012 U.S. Open and is closing in on the top 100 with a third round run in Indian Wells. We hope she (and we) will make a listener out of you.

Episode 30: Andrea Petkovic

In this very special 30th episode, Ben and Courtney talk Indian Wells for a bit. But more significantly, we finally unlock the door to the NCR studio and invite in an actual guest for the second half of the show.  Because we like our guests to be awesome, we decided to go with the one-and-only Andrea Petkovic, the three-time Slam quarterfinalist, YouTube star, and general all-around cool lady.  Among many other things, Petko talks tennis, injury layoffs, the differences between Germans and Serbians, and she raps.  Yes, Andrea Petkovic raps. Is there nothing the woman cannot do? Enjoy.

Episode 29

In this live, on-site, one-take episode recorded in beautiful Indian Wells, California, Ben and Courtney discuss the upcoming 2013 BNP Paribas Open, which sees the hard court return of Rafael Nadal.  Also, Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka are riding big win streaks, and it all seems very familiar.  Also, you'll get to find out which one of us wears a Nike Fuel Band. So there's that.

Episode 28

In Episode 28, Ben and Courtney discuss the week that was in what has been a surprisingly jam-packed February for tennis.  We also discuss the busy week for Rebecca Marino, and Ben's coverage of her story, and follow that with an acknowledgment that Jelena Jankovic hauled her cookies and her entourage to Colombia. We then take questions about why the Memphis field was so poor, if the Putintseva parade has lost its pizzazz, and who will be the next first time Slam winner.  Finally we take a number and rant about stuff.  Zero Dark Thirty may not have won Best Picture, but *you* win Best Listener, friend.

Episode 27

It was a very busy week in tennis considering it's February, so Ben and Courtney had lots to talk about.  We discuss the changing dynamic atop the WTA, with the interesting coinciding happenings of Serena Williams ascending to No. 1 but losing to Victoria Azarenka.  We also discuss Rafael Nadal's week in Brazil, and that he won, but also if he's been given a free pass for diva-like behavior when it comes to constantly complaining and being unsatisfied.  We then talk about Piotr Wozniacki berating a chair umpire and why that was bad.  Then we take questions about the use of social media by tournaments as well as the role of Asians in tennis (and sports in general), and then we take a number.  By the way, once you listen to the take a number segment, go on our Facebook page and vote for which one of us you agree with.  Are you Team Ben or Team Courtney? Either way, we are decidedly Team You. Thanks for listening.

Episode 26

On this episode, Ben and Courtney talk about Rafael Nadal's return to the tour in Chile, and what to make of his loss in the final to Horacio Zeballos.  We also discuss the even more surprising news out of La Famille Bartoli, with Marion and Walter parting ways.  We then tackle the ATP/Indian Wells prize money increase debacle, and offer to take any spare cash that may be lying around.  Then we take questions about hotels and languages and Serena, take a very good number, and then rant about stuff for a while.  A good time was had by us, and a good time will be had by you, too.

Episode 25

On this long-awaited Episode 25, delayed due to oceans between us and technical difficulties, Ben and Courtney finally wrap the 2013 Australian Open.  This, of course, means lots on Victoria Azarenka's injury timeout, and an evaluation of the backlash she received.  We also consider the current state of American men's tennis, particularly Ryan Harrison.  We then discuss Davis Cup, its flaws, and the flawed verbiage with which maple leaf mastery has been described.  And to close, Courtney reveals her biggest fear, and we mourn the exit of Liz Lemon from our lives.  You'll want to go to there.  Apologies for the volume difference between our voices in this recording--Ben just wanted to sound like The Voice of God.

Episode 24

In Episode 24, Ben and Courtney discuss the first week of the 2013 season, in which the youngin's did good and lots of people threw in the towel.  We looked toward to the Australian Open, and sympathetically at Sam Stosur, who seems to find the entire continent to be made of kryptonite.  And does love mean nothing to tennis media, or should we be deciphering every glance that Grigor Dimitrov throws in the direction of the WTA Tour? Also, we take a number and Ben recites One Direction b-side lyrics from memory with no trace of shame.  You might want to imagine this whole episode being read aloud by Ashley Harkleroad, just for fun.

Episode 23

In Episode 23, Ben and Courtney had to jump back in the booth to address Rafael Nadal's early withdrawal from the Australian Open, and whether or not it was the right decision.  It's a new year, so we discuss what we want to see in this year,  and what we don't want to see.We also discuss the age rule at length, as well as Andy Murray and which Grand Slam will have the best final in 2013.  Also, we "take a number" in the 90s once again, which I know you people all get some sick pleasure out of.  Then we end with some rants about media ethics stuff, which hopefully someone besides us will find at least mildly interesting.