No Challenges Remaining

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. 

Episode 97: Just as Auspected = Novak & Serena

Another Grand Slam is in the book, and Ben and Courtney think you probably could have guessed the ending. What do we make of Serena Williams' 19th Grand Slam? How does it change her place in history, and why is Serena-Sharapova actually the best rivalry in the WTA? (And yes, it IS a rivalry). And how about Novak Djokovic's fifth Australian Open title, and the bubbling bad blood that seems to be brewing in the ATP? We also discuss the breakout runs of Madison Keys and Nick Kyrgios, because those kids are pretty cool. Parental Advisory: Explicit Content, as always, just like the Andy Murray box. Thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting platform of choice may be! 

Episode 96: Aussie Aussie Open! Oi, Oi, Oi!

Live from Down Under, Courtney and Ben are ready to kick off the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year! We break down the draws and the drama coming in: how do Rafa's question marks and his seemingly cake draw resolve themselves? Can Federer hold up physically? Is Serena still the safe pick these days? Why does Sharapova keep throwing shade at Ivanovic? Also, Ben explains his new fantasy tennis venture, Racket Rally, and Courtney rants about macaroons and missed opportunities. As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting platform of choice may be! 

Episode 95: Get Up, Go Under

It's the NCR Season 4 premiere! Ben and Courtney kick off 2015 with their early impressions of the season and how the stars are aligning. What to make of Serena's undercaffeination? And how much panic is justified for Rafael Nadal's justifiably mediocre results over the past seven months? Also, we ruminate on the injury return of Juan Martin del Potro and the departure of IPTLers Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Marin Cilic. Then, how about the mouths on those kids Borna Coric and Nick Kyrgios? We wrap with a look back at the history of our show and the revival of Forty Deuce, before the nighttime winter snake discusses frozen and the feminine archetypes that upset fictional pigs. As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting platform of choice may be?

Episode 94: Secret Santa Edition

On the NCR season finale (delayed by foreseen holidays and unforeseen technical difficulties), Ben and Courtney put a bow on the 2014 season. First, what to make of the rich-getting-richer prize money increases at the Masters level? Are those deserved by the top players over lower-tier players? How do hall of fame votes work, and what do we make of the very level nominee class of Kafelnikov, Bruguera, Mauresmo and Pierce? Then we remix Take a Number for the holidays, and imagine gifting among the game's best. Lastly, in a post-outro segment, we talk about the podcasting phenomenon that was Serial, in a spoilery way you'll want to avoid if you haven't finished listening to that show. As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following on Twitter, and subscribing and reviewing on iTunes! Happy holidays, happy new year, and see you in 2015!

Episode 93: The Princess and the Queen

In peak off-season form, Ben and Courtney deliver another overflowing platter of chat charcuterie. What to make of the big coaching moves of Madison Keys, and the late-breaking decision by Agnieszka Radwanska to hire Martina Navratilova? Which of the Madison-Genie-Laura trio has the best chance to break through? Why don't we talk more about doubles? We explain. And after very briefly circling back to Episode 82, we take a number that gets Courtney extremely excited. Warning: the glitter might not come out of your ears for weeks. Lastly, we talk about what to watch and what (not?) to listen to. As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and reviewing and subscribing on iTunes! 

Episode 92: Overstuffed With Thanks

Stuffed with turkey and gratitude, Ben and Courtney stick a fork into the 2014 season by looking back at the Davis Cup final and the rest of this improbable season. Was the Swiss win more about Swiss excellence or French failure? Who had the better year, Stan or Roger? And does Mirkagate somehow shed light on the shadowiest parts of the sport? Also, we discuss the recent coaching changes made by Simona Halep and Genie Bouchard on the heels of breakout seasons. We cover this all with a gravy boat of gratitude, and recount what we're thankful for in tennis and beyond. And for dessert, we rant about stuff and Courtney, for a change, curses you all with horrendous music. As always, thanks for following us on Twitter, liking us on Facebook, and subscribing and reviewing on iTunes or your podcast app of choice! Gobble, gobble, dear listeners.

Episode 91: atp DOT wtf DOT com SLASH crybaby

In the last time they'll see each other in 2014 (insert wistful emoticon trying to keep a brave face), Ben and Courtney sat down in London to discuss the WTF-ness of the WTFs, which started out super boring, then had incredible drama in the middle, then lacked a finish altogether. What a delicious jambalaya of emotions we're processing! Firstly, why were the matches in London so uncompetitive and dull? Could it be the worst tournament ever and is that a fair metric? Second, what to make of Roger Federer's withdrawal and its possible impact on the Davis Cup final? And lastly, what about the weird pissiness of the semifinals, namely Djokovic vs. The World and later Stan Wawrinka vs. Mirka Federer? Dots have never been so pointed, you guys. Lastly, we preview the Davis Cup final between France and Switzerland and rant and rave about British stuff! As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and reviewing and subscribing on iTunes! 

Episode 90: Endings and a New Beginning

With a rollicking new intro to get the ball rolling, Ben and Courtney are in Europe and Asia respectively, and looking at how the years are wrapping up on both tours. What to make of Singapore, where the WTA came for the first time? How does Serena's season look in retrospect, and should Halep have eliminated her from the tournament? Who has had a better season, Serena or Djokovic? Why is the tour Federer-centric, and how is London shaping up? And what about Caroline Wozniacki's marathon? Also, we discuss Matthew Syed's tired arguments about why female athletes don't deserve equal pay. As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following on Twitter, and subscribing and reviewing on iTunes! You can use your phone to film this show if you want, we won't mind. 

Episode 89: Of Great Walls of Fire and Rising Stars

Reunited from opposite sides of the Great (Fire)wall of China, Ben and Courtney recap the happenings of the last several weeks. What has Courtney made of the tournaments she's seen in China? What will it take for tennis to survive and thrive there? And what of the ailments of Serena and Rafa? Is caution or bravery the right prescription? Also, what of the Spanish sexism toward their new Davis Cup captain? And who are these WTA "Rising Stars" and why did they get picked? Your votes for us with your ears are always appreciated, and as always thank you for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing to and reviewing our show on iTunes!