No Challenges Remaining

Episode 25

On this long-awaited Episode 25, delayed due to oceans between us and technical difficulties, Ben and Courtney finally wrap the 2013 Australian Open.  This, of course, means lots on Victoria Azarenka's injury timeout, and an evaluation of the backlash she received.  We also consider the current state of American men's tennis, particularly Ryan Harrison.  We then discuss Davis Cup, its flaws, and the flawed verbiage with which maple leaf mastery has been described.  And to close, Courtney reveals her biggest fear, and we mourn the exit of Liz Lemon from our lives.  You'll want to go to there.  Apologies for the volume difference between our voices in this recording--Ben just wanted to sound like The Voice of God.

Episode 24

In Episode 24, Ben and Courtney discuss the first week of the 2013 season, in which the youngin's did good and lots of people threw in the towel.  We looked toward to the Australian Open, and sympathetically at Sam Stosur, who seems to find the entire continent to be made of kryptonite.  And does love mean nothing to tennis media, or should we be deciphering every glance that Grigor Dimitrov throws in the direction of the WTA Tour? Also, we take a number and Ben recites One Direction b-side lyrics from memory with no trace of shame.  You might want to imagine this whole episode being read aloud by Ashley Harkleroad, just for fun.

Episode 23

In Episode 23, Ben and Courtney had to jump back in the booth to address Rafael Nadal's early withdrawal from the Australian Open, and whether or not it was the right decision.  It's a new year, so we discuss what we want to see in this year,  and what we don't want to see.We also discuss the age rule at length, as well as Andy Murray and which Grand Slam will have the best final in 2013.  Also, we "take a number" in the 90s once again, which I know you people all get some sick pleasure out of.  Then we end with some rants about media ethics stuff, which hopefully someone besides us will find at least mildly interesting.

Episode 22b

In Episode 22b, Ben and Courtney continue to power through your winter questions like a snow plow through a blizzard--except with way more sarcasm and debates over Ke$ha.  Topics include tournament travel recommendations, federation funding of less achieving players, and what sport we'd like to write about besides tennis. Also, we recognize the wonder that is Tsvetana Pironkova against Venus Williams, as well as some thoughts on the world of online tennis writing. And because we didn't get to say it on the air--Merry Christmas, y'all.

Episode 22a

In Episode 22a, your questions keep Courtney and Ben from starving in the harsh tennis winter, for which they are very appreciative.  Topics include Australian things like Bernard Tomic, Sam Stosur, and Hopman Cup, as well as guilty pleasures like Jelena Jankovic and Serena Williams appearing on the Home Shopping Network.  This episode is ruched and very slimming--you should totally download one in each color.

Episode 21

In another post-season episode, Ben and Courtney answer lots of listener questions. You people help get us through this long, cold winter, and for that we are grateful. Topics include Kim Clijsters and Yulia Putintseva, who have faiiirly different personalities.  We also resurrect Take a Number and introduce the world (and ourselves) to Tita Torro. And then we discuss doping for a while because we haven't before and it seemed relevant even if it is a massive bummer.  But we end on a high (boy soprano?) note of Junior Eurovision which is sure to leave you feeling all warm inside.

Episode 20

In Episode 20, Courtney and Ben are back stateside and back on the mic(s).  We talk or ways through the WTFs in London, our ballots for Player of the Year, Most Improved, Best Newcomer, and more. Then we audibly shake our heads when discussing what Bernard Tomic does atop buildings. Also, we end the episode by discussing whether or not Rafael Nadal will congratulate us for getting back in the recording studio (or something), and what sort of suitcase he should put his Armani in when he returns to tour.

Episode 19

In Episode 19, Ben and Courtney stick with the Asian swing to discuss Victoria Azarenka's domination over Maria Sharapova on hardcourts, Kei Nishikori's history-making in Tokyo, and the merits of tennis in China when all we see are empty seats and stadiums. We also discuss the upcoming TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships in Istanbul, the freshly revealed lineup for next year's Hopman Cup, and per our listeners' request, we talk about our pre-NCR lives. Oh and Courtney finally found her microphone. It was about damn time.

Episode 18

Asia is still going, but if a seed falls in the middle of the night and almost no one is watching, does it make a sound? Ben and Courtney therefore make plenty of other sounds about other things, ranging from the Party Rock Open to Ryan Harrison, and from Andy Murray's rank in the pantheon to hands in pants.  It all makes sense in context, sort of.

Episode 17

When we last left our heroes Ben and Courtney's cup overfloweth with the U.S. Open.  The chalice has been considerably drier in Asia thus far, but our dear listeners quenched our thirst with a deluge of questions which we answered for the majority of the show.  We also resurrected our "Take a Number" segment, and when we didn't like the first number we did it again because we are grown-ups and we make the rules.