No Challenges Remaining

Episode 165b: U.S. Open Foot Soldiers

The first few rounds of the U.S. Open are in the books, and most of the stars have advanced. But they've advanced past the tennis cavalry of the sport--lovingly known by our guest Andrew as the Foot Soldiers of Tennis.

Paolo Lorenzi has become the prototype for such effort without reward--until now. As he's made it into the third round of the U.S. Open, we'd thought it would be a fitting time to pay tribute.

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR165b!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 164: US Open Preview State of Mind

The year's final grand slam event is upon us, and Ben and Courtney are ready with their draws to break down the who and how of this US Open. 

There are surprising champions in Cincinnati to review (Marin Cilic and Karolina Pliskova) to mull over, shaky #1s to evaluate (Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams), and increasingly steady anchors at the bottom of each draw (Andy Murray and Angelique Kerber). So, who do we pick?

Lastly, Courtney sings.

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR164!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 163: Golden Girl Monica Puig and More Rio Results

Olympic tennis produced one of its most stunning results with Monica Puig winning gold, and so Ben  nd Courtney are here to break that down, as well as all the other medals and losers in Rio. What does Monica's win show us about Olympic tennis, and what does it mean for her going forward? How delightful were the silver efforts of Juan Martin del Potro and Venus Williams? And why weren't many of the other results surprising? Also, is it fair to call Jack Sock a "doubles specialist"?

To tee up this week's tournament in Cincinnati, we chat with local sports reporter Shannon Russell, who has covered the tennis here for the Cincinnati Enquirer, and sheds light on what it's like being a one-week-a-year tennis reporter serving a tournament's local market.

Then in a wide-ranging rant extravaganza, Courtney talks about journalism (after John Oliver did) and Ben talks about plaques (but really Pokemon again).

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR163!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 162a: Olympian Upset: Delpo Defeats Djokovic

After one round of action in Rio there are already some big tennis upsets in the books, so Ben and Courtney raced to their microphones to discuss. Firstly, Juan Martin del Potro stunned Novak Djokovic in straight sets, upending the tournament. This was shocking, even if it was a match to watch, and we explain why. Does Djokovic's reaction show the gravity of the Olympics? And how about those doubles upsets?

Also, our thoughts about other doings at the Olympics early on, from soccer heckling to gymnastics injuries, as well as our fat kid snacking proclivities.

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR162a!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 162: Federer Out, Olderers In

Roger Federer is out for the rest of the 2016 season, so Ben, Courtney, and Kickstarting guest producer/host Ashish Malhotra talk about what it means for his future, his present, and the rest of the year's tennis.

Then, with the Olympics fast approaching, are players ready or anxiously awaiting? The answers vary and surprise.

Ben then chats with 37-year-old Ivo Karlovic, who won Newport and reached the Washington final as part of an ever greying tour. Is the aging game a good thing?

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR162!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 161: Vika, Zika, Paprika

The week after Wimbledon featured an unexpected bump of news--namely, pregnancy concerns both future and present. Firstly, Victoria Azarenka announced that she is expecting a baby and will miss the rest of the season. What kind of impact will this have on the rest of the WTA season, all of which will take place on the hardcourts which Vika has dominated?

Next, Zika fears have been cited as the reason for the withdrawals of four top players--Simona Halep, Milos Raonic, Tomas Berdych, and Karolina Pliskova. What do we make of the decision? Also, how is this rest of the season shaping up narrativewise without any calendar slam intrigue?

Then we take a number, and Courtney plugs in while Ben switches off.

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR161!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 160d: Wimbledon Volley 4: Serena and Murray Slay

It was a Wimbledon with two worthy champions, Serena Williams and Andy Murray, and two worthy finalists in Angelique Kerber and Milos Raonic who delivered finals of varying levels of entertainingness. First on the women: how much was this win about Serena finally overcoming the Vinci shock, as Patrick Mouratoglou said? And how did Kerber change her legacy?

On the men, why did the final seem so flat and dull? Is this the start of bigger things from Murray, that might even include reaching No. 1 at some point? Also, how much will Federer rue the missed opportunity? 

Also, PB&J and ice. Both nice.

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR60d!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 160c: Wimbledon Volley 3: Super Semifinals Set!

After the Wimbledon quarterfinals have wrapped up for both the men and women at Wimbledon, Ben is joined by two lovely guests, tennis historian Steve Flink of TennisChannel.com and Australian Tennis Magazine's Matt Trollope, to discuss the past and future. 

How much will Roger Federer's epic win over Marin Cilic take out of him heading into the semifinals against Milos Raonic? And will Andy Murray be able to make good on his favorite as status? 

On the women's side, hear from Venus' coach David Witt, as well as our takes on her run and whether this should be considered Serena's tournament to lose.

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR160c!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 160b: Wimbledon Volley 2: Querrey Stuns Djokovic

On his way to a calendar slam that many considered as likely as not, Novak Djokovic ran into the indomitable Sam Querrey. Yes, that happened. Ben and Courtney discuss the stunning win, both from a perspective of Novak's understandable letdown and Querrey's unlikely casting in this role, despite his undeniable talent and weapons. 

Also, an update on the rest of rain-soaked play, and the all important questions of where it leaves our concert plans. 

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR160b!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 160a: Wimbledon Volley 1: Marcus Willis (Cartman)

It's been a rainy start to Wimbledon, but there isn't deja vu to the Paris misery just yet, in large part because of the delightful story of #772 Marcus Willis, who won seven matches to win a trophy of sorts: a chance to face Roger Federer on Centre Court. It was the best sort of sports story, and it brightened an already rainy first week.

To talk about the remarkable rise of the man known as "Cartman," we hear from Willis himself, his girlfriend Jennifer Bate, and commentator Mike Cation, who incredulously called Cartman's infamous "RC Coke and a Snickers" breakthrough in Knoxville.

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR160a!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.