No Challenges Remaining

Episode 372b: Wimbledon 2024 Draw Preview - Men

Ben and Tumaini continue their conversation into the men's draw, where Jannik Sinner is the top seed for the first time at a Slam, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz looms in his half, and grass specialists like Matteo Berrettini loom large.

We take several deep dives along the way into scheduling and health issues, first discussing the women and men who decided to skip the Olympics and why they might regret it. Tumaini then regales us with Andy Murray's full saga leading up to what he's confirmed will be his last Slam, and then we close with a look at Novak Djokovic's rapid return from surgery on his torn meniscus. 

Thanks for listening to our preview episodes! If you're enjoying our Wimbledon content, please consider backing NCR on our Patreon page, which gets back into gear on the first day of the tournament! 

Episode 372a: Wimbledon 2024 Draw Preview - Women

Ben and Tumaini spent a long time discussing the Wimbledon draws just hours after they came out, and are splitting the preview episode into two parts for your convenience.

First up are the women, where top seed Iga Swiatek has question marks on grass, where Parks-Wozniacki is one of the most intriguing first round matches (and listen to the discussed Black Spin Global interview with Parks' coach here), and where lots of other possible pivot points exist in understanding how this all might unfold.

Thanks for listening, and thanks for supporting NCR on our renewed Patreon crowdfunding efforts! Our men's show will be to you shortly! 

Episode 371: The Grass Specialty, With Barbora Strycova

Ben is joined on this episode by Barbora Strycova, a titan on grass courts over the last decade before her retirement, to talk about the secrets to success on this unique surface which takes up just about a month on the tennis calendar.

We discuss what works on grass, her memories of deep runs at Wimbledon, winning with Hsieh Su-wei, beating a Brit on Centre Court, facing Serena, and more.

Hope you enjoy! NCR's Patreon is back up and running soon and we'd love to have your support there!

Episode 370: Inside Zverev's Trial - "The Truth Remains Open"

Ben is joined by Jonathan Crane, who covered the recent criminal trial of Alexander Zverev in Berlin for DW, to discuss the proceedings he covered before and during the French Open and the conclusion they reached last Friday.

We discuss how the case reached this point, the atmosphere inside the court room, and the ultimate resolution they reached in which Zverev made settlements with both his ex-girlfriend Brenda Patea and the court itself.

We also discuss Zverev's misleading claims of proven innocence, how the ATP failed to face this issue, and what justice can mean in cases like this.

Thanks for listening! The NCR Patreon is back up and running if you would be up for showing your support for the show that way, we'd appreciate it! 

Episode 369e: Swiatek, Alcaraz Lead Their Generations - 2024 French Open Finals

Ben and Tumaini wrap up their coverage of this French Open with a look at the generation-leading champions who won it, Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz.

Swiatek, who won her fifth Slam, has established herself as the best player in many generations, drawing comparisons to stars like Justine Henin with her fourth win in Paris. What can she do to play as well at the other Slams?

On the men's side, how did Carlos Alcaraz survive hot and cold streaks to be cool under pressure to finish off his third Slam?

Also, how did the 90s-born players get so totally left behind in men's tennis?

Housekeeping note: As mentioned at the end of this show, we are resuming the NCR Patreon! If you were an existing patron who hasn't unsubscribed, you will be included when it boots back up. If you aren't and want to support the show at any number of various levels, please do sign up, we really appreciate it!

Episode 369d: French Open Lurches Toward Rocky Finish

Ben checks in with Tumaini in Paris to discuss all the happenings of the business end of a sometimes fun, often frustrating French Open.

We start with the women, where Iga Swiatek is set to face Jasmine Paolini in the final. Both great stories on their own, as we discuss, but will the final itself be a memorable one?

We then tuck into the men, among whom Novak Djokovic bowed out with a torn meniscus, and the Sinner-Alcaraz blockbuster semifinal was fairly lumpy.

We also briefly discuss our reactions to the sudden end of Zverev's legal proceedings in Berlin (and how he is trying to frame the resolution).

Tumaini ends the show with his strong thoughts on night sessions at Roland Garros, which fit into a wider pattern of greed in tennis lately.

Thanks for listening! 

Episode 369c: Is Women's Tennis Missing the Moment? (French Open Day 6)

Ben and Lindsay Gibbs of Power Plays are celebrating together in Tennessee and also discussing what they see in tennis, when it comes to how the women's game may be missing out on the cultural wave that other women's sports are riding in 2024.

What separates the trajectory of women's tennis from the momentum brought by Caitlin Clark to basketball and similar surges in professional women's soccer and hockey? What should the WTA's priorities be? How much are female players responsible for the success of their sport as a product?

We also touch on the Alexander Zverev criminal case, after the first hearing happened earlier today in Berlin

Episode 369b: Osaka Nearly Stuns Swiatek - 2024 French Open Day 4

Ben checks in with Tumaini at Roland Garros to discuss the match of the tournament so far, in which Naomi Osaka was just one point away from stunning the huge favorite Iga Swiatek before the three-time champ rallied for a late escape.

How does this surprisingly strong performance set up Osaka for the remainder of her season? And is it a cause for concern for Swiatek's favorite status in Paris?

Also, we discuss Elena Rybakina's souring in her first round press conference, and revisit Tumaini's thoughts on Rafael Nadal's future.

Episode 369a: Nadal Says Goodbye (...Probably) - 2024 French Open Day 2

Ben and Ricky Dimon debrief on what very much looked like Rafael Nadal's last match at the French Open, in which the 14-time champion played decently but was clearly overmatched by fourth-ranked Alexander Zverev.

We discuss the match, and hear from Rafa himself on what his future might hold. If not answers, there was some clarity in his remarks that helps light a clearer path for his future.

We also discuss what was most impressive in Nadal's era of dominance, the newfound parity seemingly hitting men's tennis, and a couple other early results from Sinner to Sakkari. 

Episode 368: Draw Me Like One of Your French Opens, 2024

Ben and Tumaini reconvene for a quick-paced look through the French Open draws, looking at the top lines stories from the wide-open men's draw and the Swiatek-steered women's side.

We start with the headline first round match between Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev, a daunting test for the 14-time champion against an opponent who brings on-court for and in-court legal issues to make this a discomfiting occasion. 

We also discuss Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, Danielle Collins, and more! 

Enjoy the tennis, amis!