Episode 98: Back to the Wells

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! 

Recommended reading/viewing for Episode 98: 

• 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.