No Challenges Remaining

Episode 37: Did I Stuttgart?

In this episode, Ben and Courtney wrap the second week on red clay, which saw Maria Sharapova drive off in a Porsche, and Rafael Nadal continue to drive a bulldozer over nearly any clay court opponent.  We then discuss the coming out of NBA veteran Jason Collins, and the state of gays and lesbians in the tennis world. Why haven't more tennis players come out? We have thoughts. We then answer a question about our best/worst interviews, take a couple numbers, and lastly rant about the relentless pursuit of greatness. Ben may not yet be in the Guiness Book of World Records, but you listeners all have the high mark for awesomeness. Thanks for listening, and tell your friends. And leave us reviews on iTunes and "like" us on Facebook. We like that.

Episode 36: Money for Nothing

In this episode of No Challenges Remaining, Ben and Courtney slide into the clay season with all the gracefulness you'd expect. We discuss Novak Djokovic's surprising win over Rafael Nadal that ended his Monte Carlo monopoly.  We also dissect the massive prize money increases that have been awarded to players this year, what impact they will have, and if they were really necessary.  Then we answer a question about awkward presser questions, and finally regale you with rants and raves about our forays into other sporting arenas, with Courtney's Portland soccer paradise and Ben's thoughts on the hockey media culture. And last but not least, we have way too much fun with Star Head Candle. We cheer for you too, dear listeners.

Episode 35: You've Got Questions

On this special all-questions Episode 35, Courtney and Ben try to answer all those tennis questions that have kept you up at night.  Like, for instance, what has propelled Roberta Vinci to the top? Is on-court coaching embarrassing to the WTA or is it simply a case of anti-women's tennis bias? What kind of tweeter has Maria Sharapova turned out to be? And what about golf, which there was a lot of this weekend? Ben and Courtney have a lot of thoughts about golf, and how it relates to tennis. A lot of thoughts. A lot. And then as if to apologize for all the golf, we give you book recommendations with which to fill your tennis shelf. Happy reading later, and happy listening now.

Episode 34: Charleston, Starring Jelena Jankovic

In Episode 34, Ben and Courtney wrap up their time in Charleston, which was more Jankovic-filled than they ever could have been prepared for.  We share with you some of the highlights of her press, and share what it is like to see her hold court off-court.  We also discuss the sister semifinalists Venus and Serena Williams, and give our thoughts on the documentary about the two which was released this week.  We also talk about the many up-and-comers who made their presences known in Charleston, from Madison Keys to Monica Puig, from Genie Bouchard to Mallory Burdette.  Lastly we chat a bit about Davis Cup, where the Americans fell in Potatoland, but the Brits pulled off the greatest sporting triumph in modern history (eyeroll).

Episode 33: Jessica Pegula

In Episode 33, Ben and Courtney are live in Charleston, where the pralines (and subsequently their waistlines) overfloweth.  We catch up on the Miami finals, including that last minor bit called a third set tiebreak that CBS decided not to show in lieu of college basketball.  We also discuss the happenings so far, including Courtney's on-court escapades with the one and only Venus Williams.  We also recount the dramatical WTA insta-classic that was Mattek-Sands d. Rodionova, and how it got the attention of so many other players.  Lastly, we bring you an interview with Jessica "Jessie" Pegula, the 19-year-old daughter of the Buffalo Sabres owner who notched her first two career WTA main draw wins in Charleston this week, beating tough opponents Garbine Muguruza and Mona Barthel. Pour yourself a glass of sweet tea and enjoy.

Episode 32: Freddie Nielsen

In Episode 32, Ben and Courtney look at Miami from afar, and are somewhat underwhelmed. Why has the tournament lacked spark thus far? We also discuss the state of Sloane Stephens, and what fair expectations for her are.  Then we take a couple listener questions, on the lack of early round television coverage at Indian Wells and Miami, as well as on the increasing Gimelstobification of tennis. Lastly, we bring you our final podcast interview from Indian Wells, this one with Freddie Nielsen, who won the Wimbledon 2012 men's doubles title in one of the most surprising tennis results in our lifetimes. Since you may not know Freddie, we had his longtime pal Caroline Wozniacki, a fellow Dane, give him a little introduction for you.  She suggests you enjoy this episode with a croissant in one hand and a hot chocolate in the other.

Episode 31: Mallory Burdette

In Episode 31, Ben and Courtney wrap the week that was in Indian Wells. How exactly did Rafael Nadal come back to the top so quickly, and what does it say about the rest of the tour? Are comparisons between Federer's willingness to play through back pain and the withdrawals of Azarenka and Stosur fair? Also, we discuss articles this week by Bruce Jenkins and Elizabeth Newman about the Williams Sisters' ongoing decision to skip Indian Wells, and how we feel about the decision ourselves. We then preview Miami, "take a number," and lastly wrap up with an interview with Mallory Burdette, the top-ranked former college player on the WTA Tour, who turned pro after making the third round of the 2012 U.S. Open and is closing in on the top 100 with a third round run in Indian Wells. We hope she (and we) will make a listener out of you.

Episode 30: Andrea Petkovic

In this very special 30th episode, Ben and Courtney talk Indian Wells for a bit. But more significantly, we finally unlock the door to the NCR studio and invite in an actual guest for the second half of the show.  Because we like our guests to be awesome, we decided to go with the one-and-only Andrea Petkovic, the three-time Slam quarterfinalist, YouTube star, and general all-around cool lady.  Among many other things, Petko talks tennis, injury layoffs, the differences between Germans and Serbians, and she raps.  Yes, Andrea Petkovic raps. Is there nothing the woman cannot do? Enjoy.

Episode 29

In this live, on-site, one-take episode recorded in beautiful Indian Wells, California, Ben and Courtney discuss the upcoming 2013 BNP Paribas Open, which sees the hard court return of Rafael Nadal.  Also, Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka are riding big win streaks, and it all seems very familiar.  Also, you'll get to find out which one of us wears a Nike Fuel Band. So there's that.

Episode 28

In Episode 28, Ben and Courtney discuss the week that was in what has been a surprisingly jam-packed February for tennis.  We also discuss the busy week for Rebecca Marino, and Ben's coverage of her story, and follow that with an acknowledgment that Jelena Jankovic hauled her cookies and her entourage to Colombia. We then take questions about why the Memphis field was so poor, if the Putintseva parade has lost its pizzazz, and who will be the next first time Slam winner.  Finally we take a number and rant about stuff.  Zero Dark Thirty may not have won Best Picture, but *you* win Best Listener, friend.