No Challenges Remaining

Episode 159: Wimbledon 2016 Draw Preview Super-Duperness!

The grass is ready for Wimbledon, and so are Ben and Courtney for this draw preview show! First, the dudes. Who are the stumbling blocks for Novak Djokovic as he aims for a *fifth* straight Grand Slam title? Is Federer ready to be a threat? How are Dominic Thiem's chances of sustaining momentum? And what did the Brits, bar Murray, do to deserve such brutal draws?

For the ladies, it's Serena vs the field, once again. But there's plenty of room for that to be an incredibly compelling match-up, with tough seeds looming for Serena at the tournament's midway point. Who makes it out of the loadedly grassophilic second quarter? And can Garbine Muguruza reach another final? Or could a Venus or Madison Keys stand in her way?

Also, Brexit.

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR159!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 158: Walking Wimbledon, From Lands Of Grass and Ice

With Wimbledon just around the corner, Ben and Courtney stroll through the grass lead up so far. Who has raised his or her stock most? How much can we read into these results? And what is it about the tranquility of Halle and Eastbourne that make them such idyllic warmups? Also: super takes on super coaches.

Then, we welcome back Wimbledon superstar Alex Willis, who catches up listeners on developments at the All-England Club over the last year (cool stuff afoot!), before we step back in time and reshare the walking tour she did last year. Then we rant about Icelandic stuff--both of us, somehow. 

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR158!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 157: Nick Lester

As Ben soaks up the Halle Weltenschauung, he is joined this week by a voice any tennis fan should be very familiar with: Nick Lester, one of the anchors of the ATP's world feed television coverage, beamed and streamed around the world. Nick discusses his path to the microphones he today graces, plus his takes on what makes for good and bad commentary, and all sorts of other related topics that will hopefully serve to pull back the curtain on how the people behind the best voices in this sport you love get to be such worthwhile voices to listen to. 

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR157!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 156: Muguruza Wins a First; Djokovic Wins Everything

Nearly dried out from a miserably soggy French Open, Ben and Courtney are up in much sunnier Scotland, drinking in the tournament and some ales in an Edinburgh pub (our apologies for the sometimes overwhelming background clatter).

First, Garbine Muguruza won on the women's side. What did she show during her run, and how worried should we be about the inevitability of Serena Williams breaking records?

Then, Novak Djokovic did what he was supposed to, ultimately, and rolled over Andy Murray to win a Novak Slam and a Career Slam. He's really good. Just how really good?

Also, other miscellaneous musings on rain and neighborhood concerns and airport security. 

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR156!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 155c: French Open Petit, Trois: Into the Second Week

As the first week of the French Open wraps up, Ben and Courtney bring in a legendary tennis Tweeter to guest on each side of the tournament. First, discussing women's happenings, it's Tumaini Carayol! How well is this women's draw holding together to pay off in a great second week (answer: very), and should Alize Lim's outfit have saved her from some doubles fine (answer: why not?)  On the men's side, it's Ricky Dimon! He shares his thought on the cavernous second quarter, Djokovic's improved prospects, scalding crepes, and more. 

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR155c!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 155b: French Open Petit, Deux: Adios, Rafa (With Marta Mateo)

Our first mini show from the French Open wrapped up an uneventful first five days. On Friday there was news, and it was bad news: Rafael Nadal withdrew with a left wrist injury. 

To discuss and contemplate what this means for Nadal short-term and long-term, Ben is joined by the wonderful Marta Mateo of La Vanguardia, who discusses Rafa, the aging of the Armada, and the shift in focus to the two women who might become the new faces of women's tennis.

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR155b!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 155a: French Open Petit, Un: Maria, Osaka, Gulbis

It hasn't been a very eventful French Open yet (not necessarily a bad thing), so here after the first two rounds have finished we bring you a few morsels from the press room.

From Thursday evening, hear Tatjana Maria's indignation at the behavior of her opponent Alize Cornet in their dramatic second round clash. Then, hear Florida-raised Naomi Osaka attempt to speak to her country's press in Japanese with mixed results. Lastly, some snippets from the ever thoughtful Ernests Gulbis, who is on a surprise rebound into the third round.

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR155a!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 154: Draw Me Like One of Your French Opens, Part Deux

Not much music this time, but Ben and Courtney try to hit all the right notes in this breakdown of the French Open draws (after a quick review of the Rome action), including some predictions. On the men's side, if it takes a team effort to beat Novak Djokovic, then who can contribute to that? And what are the chances like for his rivals Nadal, Wawrinka, and Murray?

On the women's side, does Serena's path become complicated by Azarenka? Is a rematch of last year's semifinal likely? And just how bankable is Begu, suddenly?

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR154!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 153a: The NCRvision Song Contest!

We are beyond excited to bring you the NCRvision Song Contest, a celebration of and competition for the best songs inspired by tennis in the world! Ben and cohosts Carole Bouchard and Rene Denfeld walk you through the 26 songs which reached the final and are hoping for your votes. The ballot is here. Any questions, please ask!

Here's the running order, full of twists and turns and bops and jams.

1. Binge - "Vamos Rafa"
2. Robin Ward - "Wimbledon"
3. We Are the Physics - "Goran Ivanisevic"
4. Stagecoach - "Evonne"
5. Ivo Karlovic (Feat. Novak Djokovic) - "Moja droga je tenis"
6. Gino's Eyeball - "Kournikova"
7. Drew McCulloch - "Andy Murray"
8. City of Angels - "The Tennis Song"
9. We Got the Power! - "Wozniacki"
10. Jenna Maroney - "Tennis Night in America"
11. Wyclef Jean - "Venus (I'm Ready)"
12. The Party Man Network - "Milos Raonic PSA Song"
13. dyadyaBOB - "Sam vs OVAs"
14. Far In Jim - "Hey There Andy Murray"
15. Jamie Foxx - "Can I Be Your Tennis Ball? (+Remix)"
16. Bryan Bros Band (Feat. Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray) - "Autograph"
17. DJ Grand Slam (Feat. King Roger) - "Success Comes Back"
18. Phranc - "M-A-R-T-I-N-A"
19. Rich White Ladies - "Wimbledon"
20. Rock Salt & Nails - "Volley Highway"
21. Serena Williams - "I Win"
22. Hugh Laurie - "I'm in Love With Steffi Graf"
23. Kieran Butler - "Allez Tsonga"
24. Beatenberg - "Rafael"
25. Umberto Carli - "Like Maria Sharapova"
26. Dan Bern - "Isner & Mahut"

Once you've listened to them all, go vote! 

Share your on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCRvision!). And do subscribe/review on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 153: Madrid, Murresmo, Mozzarella

On the eve of glorious NCRvision, Ben and Courtney debrief briefly on the week that was in Madrid, where Simona Halep put herself back in the conversation by winning yet another wide-open WTA tournament. What does a Paris shortlist look like? Probably not very short. On the men's side, Novak Djokovic wins his 29th Masters, Rafael Nadal dropped off, and Andy Murray ended his two-year partnership with Amelie Mauresmo. Should Murresmo be remembered as a success? We say yes.

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR153!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.