No Challenges Remaining (No Challenges Remaining Tennis Podcast)

Introducing the debut episode of No Challenges Remaining, a podcast designed with nothing in mind other than to talk about tennis. In the first episode, Ben Rothenberg and Courtney Nguyen talk about the Americans’ beatdown of Switzerland in Davis Cup, Great Britain winning all four Slams in the span of two weeks (at least we assume that’s what happened based on the media coverage), Caroline Wozniacki’s development (or not), Carla Suarez Navarro and Ivan Dodig (trust us, there’s context), and we rant about Twitter for no good reason.

Ok, let’s get this out of the way: the audio quality on Episode 10 is not great. But what it lacks in aural clarity it more than makes up for in content quality. Ben and Courtney touch base after Week 1 of the French Open to talk about the first week happenings, the second week’s predictions, and a bunch of ancillary topics including the television commentary so far, Hawk-Eye on clay, the State of Serena, Vexing Vika, how far the ATP Top 4 have pulled  away from the rest of the field, and we rank the Slams.

At long last, here it is! Because they're not super great at counting, Ben and Courtney have finally reached Episode 100 in their 115th episode, and they hope it was worth the wait! Wanting to make it jampacked but also true to what the show has been about, we assembled an all-star lineup of guests for the show. We start with the dulcet tones of Jelena Jankovic, and the glittery block from which she is still from. After a disastrous segment attempt, we then talk to Ernests Gulbis about his thoughts on the tour, and the mental battles fought on and off court. Lastly, because we give the people what they want, we bring you our third guest spot by the one and only Andrea Petkovic. It's a whole century worth of show, we think. For the 100+th time, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting platform of choice may be! 

After the glories of Episode 100, Ben and Courtney continued to ride this triple-digit high into a surprisingly eventful next week, where Novak Djokovic again clubbed them all, and Genie Bouchard again snubbed an extended hand. Just how good is Novak, and what needs to happen for him to be a star that transcends beyond tennis? And in Fed Cup, why did Germany set itself up to fail, and what should be made of refusing a handshake? We also discuss the ATP crackdown on GIFs, and you can probably guess where we fall on that one. 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! 

As their socks get dirtier and dirtier from all the clay, Ben and Courtney dust off their microphones to talk about all the happenings of Stuttgart and Barcelona. Where did this magnificent Angelique Kerber come from? And Caroline Wozniacki can play on clay too, now? Also, were we surprised by Radwanska/Navratilova calling it quits so soon? And on the men's side, how about that Kei Nishikori continuing to win things? And Rafael Nadal continuing to not win things? Lastly, by listener request, we cast a Real Housewives of the ATP series, and decide which of the women in the player boxes would make for the best TV. 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! 

Related polling/reading/viewing/buying for this week: 

• The channel "Every Frame a Painting" on YouTube.
• Our awesome new "Just Here for the Handshake" t-shirt on Spreadshirt.

With Madrid in swing, Ben and Courtney reflect on what was a quiet week in tennis, except for the snug pants which Andy Murray had to don on court. Did his title, or Federer's, mean anything? And what IS a WTA rising star, anyway? Who is likeliest to break out with a surprise run? Then we discuss if the hype explosion of Mayweather-Pacquiao has any possible applications to tennis, as well as what the role of illegal streaming is in tennis. Then we talk about streaming and all sorts of other things with ATP Player Council Eric Butorac, who rose from playing lower-tier college tennis to sitting next to the likes of Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal as the sport gets governed, about all sorts of issues in tennis today. 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! 

As the B-52's once said, "Rome if you want to." Or maybe it was "roam". Whatever.  On Episode 105, Ben makes Courtney jealous by talking about his mozzarella adventures in Italy, while Courtney makes Ben jealous by talking about how she spent her week in a non-third world country. We break down the results from Rome, which include Novak Djokovic's near assassination at the hands of a rogue Moet cork, and Maria Sharapova's triumphant week, which saw the return of the Black Swa-- er, we mean "Claypova". We also check in on Courtney's "Rafael Nadal Panic Button (TM pending)" and weigh in on two WTA hot topics: grunting and on-court coaching.  There is dragging, there is slaying, and there is talk about venture capital funds and history of Netscape Navigator. We do it all, folks. And make sure you sit through Ben's terrible pick as an outro song -- spoiler alert: Eurovision -- to hear what Ben and Courtney talk about before the mics go hot.  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!  Related viewing/reading for this week:

• Courtney's incredibly geeky rave for The New Yorker's fantastic profile of Marc Andreessen. 
• No, Ben and Courtney aren't accidentally mispronouncing "Moet & Chandon". They're playing off one of their favorite SNL sketches, which you can see here. 

Live from the dirt of Paris and the glitter of Vienna, respectively, Courtney and Ben break down the momentous draw of the 2015 French Open, and give our predictions in pathetically crapshoot fashion. Firstly: the Djokovic-Nadal quarter, ever anticipated, actually happened! Now what happens? As you can guess if you've been listening, we disagree. We also have different players coming out of the men's bottom half, so it should make for a fun men's tournament. On the women's top half, we have even less clue. Serena against the field, but who exactly is capable in the field? Augh, it's tough. 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! 

Midway through the French Open, Ben and Courtney get together to discuss the French Open so far, including Roger Federer's selfie scare, Stan Wawrinka's official website outrage, Rafael Nadal's umpire requests, Venus Williams' press conference no-show, Serena-Azarenka, Halep loss, and more! We slay, we drag, we rant, we rave, and we think you'll enjoy! 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! 

With the hotly anticipated Djokovic-Nadal quarterfinal now complete, Ben and Courtney put down the panic buttons and hit the record button to share their feelings. What does the unshocking yet lopsided loss say about Rafael Nadal, and his future as a dominant force in tennis? What can he do to regain former glories? Also, just how much better is Novak Djokovic than everybody else? We also discuss other issues of the French Open second week, including debris falling on spectators, surprise semifinal runs by Ana Ivanovic, Lucie Safarova, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Stan Wawrinka, and more! We then dive into the issues about transcript availability to fans, and how this affects journalists like ourselves. 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! 

Just as Ben and Courtney were ready to kick off the grandest year in tennis, Stan Wawrinka interrupted and shocked Novak Djokovic and the world by winning the French Open. What was that all about, and what does it say about both Stan and Novak? On the women's sides, how do we like Serena Williams' chances of winning a true Grand Slam this year, and how will this roller coaster run to her 20th major title be remembered? Also we look ahead to grass, like soccer, and don't so much like horses. 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!  Additional listening:

• The Men in Blazers podcast.

After a long hiatus (we would apologize but it’s starting to sound like a broken record), Ben and Courtney return to discuss the happenings at Wimbledon. It’s a post-Rosol world now, where anything is possible, everyone believes, and the upsets keep raining down like…well…London rain. We talk about everything from the (unnecessary) equal prize money debate, the earthquake that was Lukas Rosol, British sporting culture, and much, much, more. Links discussed:

• S.L. Price’s piece on equal prize money. [SI.com]
• Courtney’s thoughts on equal prize money. [SI.com]
• The Daily Mail calls Laura Robson “The Incredible Bulk”.

With Courtney cavorting across North America in pursuit of soccer, Ben found a few exciting folks to keep him company in Halle this week. We start with Nick McCarvel, a tennis chameleon who has established himself with USA Today this year, and shares the stories of wearing so many hats. So, so many hats, you guys. Next up we turn to the newly launched ATP website, and talk to ATP senior vice president George Ciz and then ATP chief executive Chris Kermode about the launch and other issues facing the ATP now, ranging from GIFs to calendar changes to doping. Never forgotten, Courtney ends the show with a hit from Canada with her thoughts on women's sports and women in women's sports. 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! Holla, Halle!

Just before they reunite again in SW19, Ben and Courtney bring you this treat of an episode from opposite sides of the world. After cameos by Rene Denfeld (of @WTAReactions) and Ernests Gulbis (of top-10 reambitions), we are taken on a tour of the Wimbledon grounds by Alex Willis, who is director of digital and content for the Championships (and Wimbledon.com). From Court 18 to Henman Hill to Centre Court to the Clubhouse, you'll "see" it all! Or, at least, a fair amount of it! Anyhow, the scenery is more interesting than what Courtney experienced in the Dakotas and Saskatchewan, as she'll tell you as we end the show. 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!

Live from Court 14, it's the Wimbledon draw analysis show! Ben and Courtney are outside because it's cold inside, and a little water won't scare us, right? We talk about the women's draw first, which has Serena and Sharapova and all the other usual suspects. Will there be a Sister Battle? We disagree. Next up are the men, and those three guys (Djokovic, Federer, Murray) with great chances to win it. We also discuss Aussie drama and all sorts of other little tidbits heading into the biggest tournament of the year. 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!

Ben and Courtney are together on Wimbledon's Middle Sunday to break down the first week of the tournament, which was a solid balance of upsets and setting up interesting second week matchups. We start with the women, including Serena Williams' escape against Heather Watson, Petra Kvitova's loss to Jelena Jankovic, and the opportunity-laden bottom half as well as the Serena-Venus fourth rounder. Then the men, including Nadal-Brown, what we think of think-piece inspirer Nick Kyrgios, and more! Lastly Ben rants about cake (shocking this hasn't happened before) and Courtney rants about women's soccer (this happens all the time). 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!

As the year grows ever "grander" with Serena winning Wimbledon, Ben and Courtney come together after Wimbledon ends to discuss her incredible year, and what it means for both tennis and her legacy, which is finally getting the reverence it is due, as well as her tough road to the women's final. We also talk about breakout Wimbledon finalist Garbine Muguruza, and the rest of women's second week action. On the men's side, we re-drop our jaws at Roger Federer's incredible semifinal against Andy Murray, and look at why it should have been unsurprising that Novak Djokovic summarily dusted him in the final to put himself ever larger in the marble pantheon of men's tennis greats. Also, we talk about the non-story of Nick Kyrgios tanking. Then we turn to some more personal business, with Ben discussing the backlash to his article about women's body image issues (starting 36 minutes in), and Courtney discussing her move from Sports Illustrated to the WTA. Don't look back in anger, Courtney. 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! 

With a bit of a post-Wimbledon lull on their hands, Ben and Courtney dive into their mailbag to answer some listener questions. Firstly, what do they think about Davis Cup, where Andy Murray looks likely to lead Britain to glory through a shrubby field? And what advice do we have for Bernard Tomic? And with Caitlyn Jenner in the spotlight, how should a trans player be handled in the pro game today? Also lots of stuff about Serena and the Slam and more! 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! 

Additional listening:

• The AV Club guide to getting into comic books
• Blankets by Craig Thompson on Amazon.

On the cusp of another long plunge into the blue and green waters of the summer hard court season, Ben and Courtney answer more listener questions! How much should tours be trying to promote players who aren't the stars? What do we make of Tennis Forum? Which player's past success is the most #huh? #thathappened? Also, lots more! Then, by popular demand, we take a number! And then Courtney rants about throwing bones at skulls and Ben goes off the grid ever so briefly. 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! 

In this very special episode, Ben and Courtney talk about the small news of the summer (Rafa winning on clay, Serena choosing caution yet again) and then launch into a deep segment with our gal Colette Lewis of Zoo Tennis to discuss all things junior tennis as Kalamazoo hosts the most anticipated US Boys Nationals in generations. With junior tennis, you take the good, you take the bad...and you decide how much credit the federation deserves. Also, Courtney really likes a movie and Ben worries if our children are learning. 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! 

In Episode 118, Ben and Courtney recap the weeks that were in their local tournaments in Washington D.C. and Stanford, argue about on-court coaching, and assess the successful weeks from Angelique Kerber and Sloane Stephens. Aren't they both playing some of the best tennis of their careers? We think so! Does it matter? We're not entirely sure?Episode 118 wraps up with a lengthy chat with Anne Worcester, tournament director of the Connecticut Open. Have you ever wondered why being a tournament director for a one week tournament is a 365 day gig? Let Anne explain. She's a seasoned pro.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!

*This is a repost following some technical issues earlier causing a silent start...all good now!*

In their first "emergency episode" of the year, Ben and Courtney jump back into the booth to discuss the controversy caused by Nick Kyrgios in his win over Stan Wawrinka, with, um, unexpected and indelicate comments about …Thanasi Kokkinakis' sex life? It was strange, and not good, and we're here to talk about the origins of it and what the repercussions should be. Does the ATP need to set a tone and make an example of Kyrgios? And how does it all reflect on Wawrinka? Also, there's an outro medley for you to try to decipher at the end of this short episode, so enjoy that!  

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!

In an annual tradition, Ben and Courtney come to you live from the asphalt for the post-Cincinnati show! But instead of an Interstate in Maryland, this time they're broadcasting from a strip mall parking lot in Mason, Ohio. Same difference? Anyhow, you know what's different? Roger Federer's returning! That was cool. Also, who the heck can beat Serena? And does it mean it's a weak era if no one can? 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!

Live from under the new partially finished roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Ben and Courtney are here to break down the 2015 U.S. Open draws. And, of course, this tournament begins and ends with Serena. How does her road look? Who poses the biggest threats? And is it fair to keep making her into something that transcends tennis and bears a larger societal responsibility? By the way, who *can't* come out of that bottom half? Also, who will come out of this strangely second-fiddle men's event? Djokovic? Federer? Murray? Also, Courtney likes pants and Ben's bus driver avoids an accident. 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!

After the last Grand Slam event of 2015 has come to a close, and so did Serena Williams' bid for a historic sweep, losing in the semifinals to Roberta Vinci. And so, Ben and Courtney discuss the stunning defeat, where Serena stands now, and why her humanity has always made her so compelling. Also, Flavia Pennetta won the U.S. Open! Weird! On the men's side, Roger Federer's bid popular support couldn't get him across the finish line against Novak Djokovic, much to the dismay of 23,000+. Also, Genie Bouchard's slip-and-fall, ESPN's on-court interview gambit, and much, much more! 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!

As the dust settles from the U.S. Open, Ben and Courtney sift through current developments in tennis to find what really matters. How does the devaluation of Davis Cup reflect on the dwindling importance of nationalism in tennis? Should Andy Murray skip the World Tour Finals in order to play the final in Belgium? What should Stacey Allaster's WTA reign be remembered for? And how should Serena Williams and the rest of the women approach the remainder of the season, including the new Zhuhai event? Should Novak Djokovic change something in order to be loved? Should we aspire to be unpopular quarterbacks? 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!

With Ben and Courtney an ocean apart, this week we bring you a special interview from earlier this year, in which Ben sat down with tennis investigative journalist and author Michael Mewshaw to talk about the unsavory sides of tennis which he uncovered in working on his explosive books Short Circuit and Ladies of the Court. Decades after the books came out, many of the same issues still linger. From conflicts of interests to match fixing to drugs, Michael pulls lots of pins out of grenades here as well, so be sure to duck and cover as needed! 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!

Live from Beijing, China, this episode is Courtney's Speakerboxx to Ben's The Love Below last week. Courtney chats to two guests: first, her wonder-climbing buddy Carole Bouchard, a return NCR guest who is in China for the first time and discusses her impressions of tennis in the country, and the two discuss the schedule issues so often discussed at this time of year. Then, Courtney welcomes Peter Chorba, who is the senior business development manager for the China Open, to discuss sponsor liaising and also just life in China as an American ex-pat. 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!

Despite the ocean between them, Ben and Courtney finally reunite (from Boston and Tokyo, respectively) for this episode, and catch up on the doings in WTAsia as well as dude tennis. What can be gleaned from this free-for-all stretch, which included unlikely surges from players like Garbine Muguruza, Venus Williams, and Jo Konta? And as the Singapore race looks ever more chaotic, did Serena do the "right" thing by withdrawing? On the men's side, where does Rafael Nadal's lopsided loss to Novak Djokovic in the Beijing final leave him? And is Stan Wawrinka having the best year of any Swiss player, or does that honor go to Federer, Bencic, Bacsinszky, or Hingis? Then, Courtney loves Beijing and Ben is giddy about The Future being within reach. 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!

Again a world apart, Ben and Courtney bridge a 12-hour time difference to come together for this episode, in which they discuss the yawniness of Shanghai and Novak Djokovic's invincibility, but then rally to Djokovic's defense when it comes to his snub from the ATP Sportsmanship Award Ballot. Just who do Ben and Courtney think should be considered for that award, as well as the other ATP votes? Then, more excitingly, Ben chats with Jiří Fencl, the coach of Lucie Hradecka, who discusses the life and challenges of being a coach, Czech tennis, as well as his awesome tennis app Resultina and the challenges and opportunities of tennis data. 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!

With the WTA Finals underway, Ben chats up our Singapore correspondant, Courtney, to talk about how the tournament is shaping up. How very impressive is Sharapova's ability to make successful comebacks time and time again? Is this a glimpse at a post-Serena world? And what of the bigger emphasis on doubles, including the new fan favorite Chan sisters? Speaking of doubles siblings, what does it mean for the Bryans to lose the top ranking? And in men's singles, why was Nadal-Rosol's resumption of unniceties the perfect reminder of why we care about tennis? Lastly, we introduce you to Courtney's new WTA Insider podcast, Ben talks about architectural karma, and these pretzels are making Courtney homesick. 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!

As they continue travel schedules that are normally only maintained by Carmen Sandiego characters, Ben and Courtney reconvene from Charlottesville and Zhuhai, respectively, to discuss the happenings of the week in tennis. And what it week it was! Losers got lucky in Singapore, then got good, as Agnieszka Radwanska claimed her biggest career title in unlikely fashion. What does her win say about her, and about the round-robin redemption format? Then, in Switzerland, Roger Federer improved to 5-1 indoors against Rafael Nadal...and still remains his pigeon? We discuss, and then we end by pouring one out for our homies at Grantland. 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!

We have neglected you. For that, we apologize. But to quote the Olympic motto: “Better late than never!”* Ben and Courtney were Stateside for the London Olympics and they were really excited. Mainly for the break from live tennis. Courtney talks about her Cali Swag at Stanford and San Diego, and Ben gets a chance to talk about one of his favorite things in the world, World Team Tennis. They also discuss the effect of the Olympics on the U.S. hardcourt schedule, curious Kim Clijsters, and the effect of Rafael Nadal’s knee injury. And somehow, Courtney finds a way to talk about The Hills. It’s a talent, people. *Very much not the Olympic motto but it totally should be.

After her long sojourn up and down Asia, Courtney gets a much deserved week off, leaving Ben to drive 100-something miles to find someone to talk to, and winds up in an adventure in Challengerland.  At the $50,000 challenger in Charlottesville, Virginia, Ben talks to four(!) guests to give y'all a panoramic view of this world and the people who make it up. First is Mike Cation, the voice of the USTA Pro Circuit, who is more embedded than commentator in tennis. Next is Challenger circuit veteran Alex Kuznetsov,  coach Billy Heiser (working now with Tim Smyczek and Denis Kudla), and lastly the ever-ambitious Ryan Harrison. 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!

Both back in America, Ben and Courtney tee up the homestretch of this 2015 season, in which Maria Sharapova fell short through no fault of her own in the Fed Cup final, Novak Djokovic continues to cruise, and things are tasting stale in London. Why is it that this time of Djokovic's dominance has been received less warmly than Federer's dominance? Does the ATP need to move the World Tour Finals out of London to get out of a rut? Does Novak Djokovic's great fall make us reconsider if he had a better year than Serena? And what does Ronda Rousey's loss say about premature legacy making? 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!

With the ATP regular season at last coming to a close, Ben and Courtney step back and bask in the luminous 2015 campaign of Novak Djokovic. Just what made him so dominant, and how does his year measure up to (or surpass) previous great years of his and others? With no one else coming close right now, how do we assess Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in London, as well as beard and towel intrigues? And why does Stan Wawrinka always seem to get a free pass from critics?  Then, we shift gears to talk about the xenophobic panic behind Aljaz Bedene's purgatory, and we hear from Genie Bouchard's lawyer, Benedict Morelli, who sounds off on the answer filed by the USTA in response to Bouchard's lawsuit. We then take a moment for seasonal gratitude, to remember things we're thankful for as Thanksgiving approaches. Lastly, Courtney recommends you watch another Netflix show, and Ben recommends you don't watch a movie. 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!

As Ben and Courtney finally exhale upon the long-awaited arrival of the off-season, they're left breathless on the topic of Andy Murray, who won the Davis Cup for Great Britain in one of the most impressive solo efforts ever in the competition. Ben is joined by Scottish tennis writer Stuart Fraser of the Mail Online to discuss his land's native hero and his most recent heroics, as well as the surprising timing of the latest round of criticisms of British tennis that has followed in the wake of one of its biggest successes. Then, Courtney and Ben dive into the mailbag for all sorts of questions, ranging from our favorite press conference moments to the value of tennis maintaining its niche status to the most likely next first-time Slam winners to what "deuce side" means. Lastly, Courtney ties a cheesy string to her childhood while Ben is inspired to shovel.  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!

As the off-season starts to get comfortable (and shorter, sadly), Ben and Courtney dive into the mailbag once again to discuss a whole bushel of topics. Is IPTL worth paying attention to for tennis fans? And is it a good proposition for the players who play it, including the lethargic Serena Williams? We also discuss our Hall of Fame ballots, and the legacies of nominees Justine Henin, Marat Safin, and Helena Sukova. Also in questions, we discuss what fair 2016 expectations are for Serena and Djokovic, LGBT issues in tennis, and Andrea Petkovic's doubts about her tennis motivations and what they can teach us all. Also, in an effort to continue growing and improving, we officially launch our Kickstarter campaign to help support NCR in 2016! You can donate and learn more about our Kickstarter campaign here. Check it out, and thanks in advance for considering us!  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!

In a rare emergency episode that is for an indisputably positive reason (neigh-sayers aside), Ben and Courtney discuss Serena Williams being honored by Sports Illustrated as their Sportsperson of the Year for 2015, becoming the first woman to win the award outright in over 30 years, and the first tennis player in over 20 years. To discuss how Serena clinched the honor, we're joined by Sports Illustrated's executive editor Jon Wertheim (host of SI's reinvigorated tennis podcast Beyond the Baseline), who dives into the process of picking the Sportsperson as well as what it's been like to have his entire career overlap so closely with Serena's.  We finish by thanking you guys for the beyond amazing start to our Kickstarter campaign, with you guys more than doubling our base goal in less than a week. You guys are the best, and have opened lots of exciting possibilities for what the show can do next year. It's still going for another five weeks, so if you'd like to join in and get access to some exclusive backers-only content you can do so by chipping in here.

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!

Who better than 1996 gold medalist Lindsay Davenport to join Ben and Courtney to talk about the Olympics? Well, Lindsay is awesome on anything and everything, but for this Olympics-themed episode as we're on the eve of an Olympic year, Lindsay shares her memories from her various Olympic efforts, her thoughts on how the Olympics have grown in stature within tennis, and the show-and-tell duties that they never tell you about when you're on the podium. Ben and Courtney also discuss various other Olympic issues, including their disruptiveness in the calendar, qualifying rules, and which mixed doubles teams we #RioShip.  And again, we thank you for continuing to make our Kickstarter campaign such a success so far! We're already blown away by the totals, but would love to see more of you become backers at any level, no matter how small. Support and gain access to exclusive backers-only content here.  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!

As they deck the halls, Ben and Courtney fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la over Roger Federer's 2016 schedule, which throws out the mold and the clay. Should more players follow his lead and pick and choose more selectively from the all-you-can-eat buffet that is the tennis calendar? Then, we wrap and stick under the tree what you've all been asking NCR Santa for: Take a Number, and lots of it. After a few rounds of lucky numbers, we then soup it up and hold our second annual Secret Santa for the ATP and WTA top 10s (with a couple substitutions). Then Ben raves and Courtney raves and raves and rants and raves some more. Because it's Christmas, and we should all be cheery cashiers Robin Hood-ing when we can.  With less than four weeks to go in our campaign, we thank you for continuing to make our Kickstarter campaign such a success so far! We're already blown away by the totals (over $11,000 as of publishing this episode!) but would love to see a higher percentage of our audience chip in, even if it's just a tiny amount. You guys are helping to make NCR bigger and better, and the tennis world is taking notice. You can support NCR and gain access to exclusive backers-only content here, which includes Ben diving deep into his rave for GeoGuessr. Also, we're offering a new #ImJustHereForThePostcards reward level! 

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!

In their 2015 season finale, Ben and Courtney look back at the year that was in tennis. After discussing the retirement and legacy of Robin Soderling this past week, we flip through back the calendar to piece together the year that was through a chronological game of #RememberWhen. From Serena ordering coffee on court to champagne nearly de-eyeing Novak Djokovic, it was a year whimsy and wild moments that quenched our thirst all year long. Tweet us your own #RememberWhen moments to @NCR_Tennis! In a combined, lengthy rant/rave, Ben and Courtney get spoilery on their latest obsession, the Netflix documentary series Making a Murderer. So, don't listen to that if you haven't finished (or started) the show yet. With less than three weeks to go in our Kickstarter campaign, we're an incredible $10,000 over our initial base goal! You guys are awesome! There's still many cool rewards on offer (including our new #ImJustHereForThePostcards set of four) and lots of time for more of you to join the cause. Even though we've surpassed all our original expectations, the number of donors so far is still under 5% of NCR listener ship, and we'd love to widen the base of those onboard, so we're continually rolling out stretch goals and backers-only content! Join in here. 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!

It's our Season 5 premiere! Ben and Courtney are back together in person for the first time since the U.S. Open, and they're ready to tackle the 2016 season. But are any of the top WTA players? With injuries to three of the top-five already, it sure doesn't seem like it. But one player who does seem ready is Victoria Azarenka (9min40sec), who you'll hear from at her first Brisbane press conference. After a reflection on the demise of BerdycH&M (17min), we're delighted to be joined by one of our favorite Aussies, Linda Pearce of The Age in Melbourne (21 min), who shares some of her adventures in Australian tennis. We try to hide our jealousy over the incredibly colorful tapestry of characters she has to work with. We fail.  With less than two weeks to go in our Kickstarter campaign, we're over 500% of our initial base goal, which is astoundingly awesome. We've rolled out a few new rewards, and a stretch goal for $17,000 (live Periscopes every day of the Australian Open!) so if you want to get in on it before it's too late you can do so here.

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!

After the first week of tennis, Ben and Courtney look around to see how things have started in the 2016 season of tennis. As carnage accumulates, things sure look good for Brisbane champions Victoria Azarenka and Milos Raonic, don't they? You'll hear from both of them (and Azarenka's coach Wim Fissette), as well as runner-up Roger Federer. Elsewhere, gosh was Novak Djokovic able to do unspeakable things to Rafael Nadal in that Doha final. Has anyone ever been such a clear favorite heading into a Grand Slam? And has anything ever been as overblown as the reaction to Jack Sock conceding a first serve in a friendly farewell tour exhibition match? We discuss all that and more. There is now less than a week to go in our Kickstarter campaign, so if you want to support us and get any of our neato rewards before it's too late, don't delay! Your support has been super amazing already, and we can't thank you all enough. If you haven't yet and still want to, you can find out more here. 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!

On Episode 14, Ben and Courtney breakdown what happened during the tennis event at the Olympics where Andy Murray and Serena Williams did some pretty good things. We discuss the best-of-three format at the Olympics, tiebreaks, and seriously, why the heck was Ryan Harrison apologizing?

The draws for the 2016 Australian Open are out, and Ben and Courtney are here to be as sage as possible through what are generally two pretty inspiring, even draws. Does Serena face any players who might be able to derail her, maybe as soon as the first round? And what about Victoria Azarenka, who has looked so good so far and seemed to land in an ideal spot? After more chat on the ladies, can anyone even consider the possibility that Novak Djokovic might lose? And is Bernard Tomic's draw really so good as to justify his Sydney shenanigans. All that, plus Courtney slowly gets caught up on Homeland and Ben is all for vaguely catchy but decidedly clunky propaganda.  There are only a couple of days left in our Kickstarter campaign, so reading this is likely your last chance to be reminded to donate to the NCR cause if you haven't yet and would still like to. Your support has been overwhelming so far (and good lord, the postcard haul will be massive), but if you happen to be a straggler who wants to jump on board before the train pulls out of the station, your last chance is here. 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!

Through your Kickstarter support, we know you wanted more NCR in 2016, so Ben and Courtney are giving you more NCR in 2016! We'll be doing daily(ish) episodes from the 2016 Australian Open, and golly was Day 1 a doozy! After reviewing some results (you'll hear from winners Petra Kvitova and coach Patrick Mouratoglou, as well as losers Sloane Stephens and super sore loser Benoit Paire), we dive into the story that hijacked the day: the BBC/Buzzfeed reports on match fixing and Tennis Integrity Unit shortcomings. You'll hear from ATP head Chris Kermode as well as TIU's Nigel Willerton in their press conference, then Novak Djokovic. Lastly, Ben and Courtney are joined by British journalist Simon Cambers, who has covered the TIU closer than most anyone. Is this really the bombshell it's being made out to be? We discuss. As of posting this there are only *HOURS* to go in our massively delighting Kickstarter campaign (over $20,000!!!), so if you haven't yet and might want to, go do it right now! Last chance link here.

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!

In our Australian Open Day 2 episode, Ben and Courtney talk about three upset losses that cropped up on the day: Venus Williams (who you won't hear from, as she bailed on press again), Rafael Nadal (who was optimistic overall in the face of getting blown away by power with increasing frequency), and Simona Halep, whose loss to Zhang Shuai (who you hear from) revealed an incredibly emotional, humanizing moment for tennis. Seriously, it was pretty cool. Oh, and our Kickstarter campaign is over, and 596 of you raised $22,050 to support NCR this year. We're blown away as all heck. 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!

A quick hit from a largely quiet Day 3 of the Australian Open sees Ben and Courtney discussing the moments in a late press conference of Novak Djokovic, when he was confronted with a report in an Italian newspaper that accuses him of not trying his hardest to win once in 2007. Even if the accusation is true, does it mean anything? We have our doubts. And it has nothing to do, almost certainly, with the match fixing stuff that continues to overshadow the tournament. If you were an NCR Kickstarter backer, thank you again and please fill our the backer surveys we've sent out via email ASAP so we can get you your rewards!  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!

On Day 4, Ben and Courtney send off Lleyton Hewitt at long last with the help of Australian tennis writer Will Swanton. Is his legacy being overglossied in these moments? Then, we delight in the major debut of underground sensation Naomi Osaka, and talk about her complicated Japanese identity as well as her subversive humor. You'll like this girl.  If you were an NCR backer who got a reward on Kickstarter, please fill out those backers' surveys ASAP! And thanks again!  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!

As Ben and Courtney wrap the third round, we're joined by a first-rate guest: Donna Kelso, a walkie-talkie-rockin' supervisor for the WTA and Grand Slams. We discuss how the awesome Aussie rose through the ranks of tennis to be a roaming ruler of the tour, after having chair umpired several Australian Open finals. When stuff goes down in tennis, who you gonna call? Donna Kelso! We talk grunting=hindrance?, medical timeouts, and all sorts of other neato stuff. 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!

It's the second week, and Ben and Courtney can now talk about lots of important matches as the tournament reaches its pointy end. Gosh, Serena's good, isn't she? Maria's playing well, too, but does it matter? Then, what the heck was all that Djokovic-Simon nonsense? Does the performance cast any doubt over the overwhelming favorite's chances here? And what do the calm and steady performances of Radwanska and Suarez Navarro teach us about veteranliness? Also, stop spitting near Courtney you gross person.  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!

With their 21st meeting tomorrow, Ben and Courtney take a stroll down the very noisy memory lane that is the Serena Williams-Maria Sharapova rivalry (yes, it's a rivalry, you guys). After hearing from Day 8 winners Milos Raonic and Johanna Konta, we gear up for the marquee women's quarterfinal with some archive audio of past Melbourne meetings, and then hear about the tactical side of their match-up from tactician Craig O'Shannessy, who has worked as a consultant with Team Sharapova on trying to solve the Serena riddle. 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!

Ben and Courtney found Day 9's action entirely underwhelming, with every favorite winning in straight sets with relative ease. So after a brief chat on Serena-Maria, we shift to the coolest story of the tournament: Zhang Shuai, and just why her run is so delightfully life affirming. Then, we talk about being made unwitting reality show stars by the tournament, whose "AO Live" feeds are intruding on what had been considered sheltered spaces in the heart of this tournament. It's a bit much. Then, Courtney delights in discography geography, and Ben doesn't need your thoughts on his orders, thank you very much.  As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

One of the biggest ever upsets that involved a win by the higher-ranked player! Angelique Kerber beat hot pick Victoria Azarenka today in Melbourne, and so Ben is joined (on Courtney's day off) by two awesome fellas: Nick McCarvel and Matt Trollope, freelance writer for Tennis Australia and elsewhere. Just how was Kerber able to turn around her 0-6 record against Azarenka? Hear from her coach Torben Beltz. Also, Vika was not happy. And we also hear from the impressive but quoteful Johanna Konta, a stunning semifinalist here. Lastly, we make our picks for Thursday's three semifinals. As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

We're wrapping up just the women's semifinals from Melbourne today (chat on both men's semifinals coming to you tomorrow), and Ben and Courtney are pretty happy with the final we got. Serena was crazy good against Radwanska, and you'll hear about it from *both* coaches involved, Tomasz Wiktorowski and Patrick Mouratoglou. Serena will face Angelique Kerber in the final, so we hear from both Angie and veteran German reporter Doris Henkel  about the state of German tennis and other such bossly goodies. Will this final be a good one? We think/hope so.  As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

The Australian Open final is set and it's the fourth time Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are going to be squaring off on a Sunday night in Melbourne. It's a lot. Are Ben and Courtney excited aboutt his match-up? We're...not sure. But we dutifully break down the striking semifinals, including Novak Djokovic's incredible early mastery of Roger Federer and then Andy Murray's escape against a Milos Raonic whose body betrayed him (but sure was snappily dressed!). Lastly, we acknowledge how the strain on Kim Sears might put economic strain on the Australian economy. As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

Angelique Kerber stunned Serena Williams in three sets to become the 2016 Australian Open champion, and Ben and Courtney are here to take you through how it happened. Why did Serena keep crashing the net with no success? How will this change how Kerber is seen and what she can do in her career? How does Serena recover from this? Will this finally get women's tennis naysayers to shut up for a bit? Hear from us, as well as Kerber, Serena, Torben Beltz, and Patrick Mouratoglou. As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

Another Australian Open, another Novak Djokovic title. Ben and Courtney know the unsurprisingness of it all is unsurprising, because it's becoming clear that Novak Djokovic is just in a league of his own. So, how will he do against a tougher opponent than any now on tour: history? And where does this tournament leave Andy Murray, besides once again cementing his trophy ceremony tearjerker crown? Then, we wrap up the tournament with a brief look at Petra Kvitova splitting with longtime coach David Kotyza, and who we're going to be watching coming out of Australia. Thank you guys for hanging with us on this Australian Open spectacular! As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be. 

Ben and Courtney are delighted to be back stateside, and delighted that Andy Murray's child (it's a girl!) arrived at a convenient time. Less delightful is the latest corruption scandal in tennis, and Ben is joined by Sean Ingle of the Guardian to discuss his report into the silent banning of two chair umpires for misconduct at the Futures level. Less ickily, Fed Cup happened this weekend, so we do a deep dive explainer-thing into what makes that competition tick, and how it gets messy with competing interests, ranking points, etc. Then, because we're American sportswriters, we discuss Cam Newton and what all that means from a tennis lens.  We're also thrilled to introduce our two 2016 executive producers in this episode: Francisco Resendiz of 10sballs.com and Tal Woolley! As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be. 

February is a choose your own adventure sort of month in tennis, and Ben and Courtney have all sorts of fun on a windy path through results of debatable relevance. Are wins by players like Thiem, Klizan, Vinci and Venus meaningful? How about more dodgy losses for Nadal? And what is a fair level of hype to be putting on Taylor Fritz right now? Then we take a number like we never have before, and follow our chosen man into a battlefield that might explain some of his losses. There's still time to respawn, though.  As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be. 

This week, Ben and Courtney come to realize that things just aren't what they used to be. Like Rafael Nadal's tennis, which Courtney bore witness to this week in Rio, where he again looked mortal on clay. Also, Caroline Wozniacki's reliability, since she fell out of the top 20 for the first time in nearly eight years. And even with Nick Kyrgios winning his first title, is there a stable foundation to build on for him? We're then joined by Reem Abulleil of Sport 360 in Dubai to talk about the tournament there, which was rocked by WTA withdrawals and upsets. Reem is cool. Then we talk about Ash Barty, comeback kid. Rantily, Courtney doesn't like getting asked if she bought things but does like getting things she didn't buy, and Ben is amused in a muscovial way.  As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.  And here is that Lizzo & Caroline Smith track that Courtney adores. 

As February and its unexpected results take a flying leap, Ben and Courtney discuss the month that was, and who emerges strong (looking at you, Sloane). We then pivot a bit, as we do annually, to the Oscars, which had more of a tennis hook than usual because of the attendance of Roger Federer, Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova. Tennis stars are popular, you guys! Then, we discuss why women's tennis in particular gets so much more respect stateside than other sports, going off of a conversation on ESPN's Will & Kate (starting about 17 minutes in here). Lastly, we give shoutouts to our $25-level Kickstarter backers, each and every one of whom is an awesome person.  As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

Talk about your emergency episodes. After Maria Sharapova dropped the bombshell that she had tested positive for a (recently) banned substance at the Australian Open, Ben discusses the facts of the case with doping expert Richard Ings. Who is to blame here? What is the likely punishment? Was it fair to expect Sharapova to realize that something she had taken without incident for a decade was suddenly verboten? What can be done to prevent this happening again? We'll have much more on this story as it unfolds in coming days, so stay tuned to NCR.  As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

As the dust settles on a week that saw Maria Sharapova (and several busloads of other athletes) test positive for the newly-prohibited substance meldonium, Ben convenes a roundtable of tennis talkers to discuss the case and it's implications near and far. With friends of the show Jon Wertheim, Carole Bouchard and Simon Cambers, we discuss the test itself, what it means to Sharapova's legacy, how it could have happened, and all sorts of other related stuff, including French people who should keep their mouths shut about Rafael Nadal. As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Back together at last, Ben and Courtney wrap up all the doings of Indian Wells for you, obviously first and foremost dealing with the controversial remarks of CEO and tournament director Raymond Moore (which led to his stepping down after we recorded). What do his remarks say about the current state of play between the ATP and WTA, especially as they concern gratitude or money or whatever? And how about the tremendous response of Serena Williams and the less tremendous response of Novak Djokovic? Also, we talk the tennis that happened, including Venus' return, Nadal-Zverev, del Potro, and more. And some other stuff. Ladies will know what we're talking about.  As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

After an Indian Wells that wasn't much about tennis, Ben and Courtney hope to be able to move on in Miami...but not before trying to make sense of Novak Djokovic's clumsy PR maneuvers, and enjoying a seminar from Professor Billie Jean King.  Then, is anyone closing the gap on Novak Djokovic? How much concern is merited over Serena Williams' recent losing streak of sorts? Is it fair to panic? And was this a meaningfully positive stretch for Halep and Muguruza, or still disappointing? As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be. As detailed in Ben's rant, here's the NCR outro playlist for your enjoyment. 

With one-quarter of this year behind us, Ben and Courtney assess the 2016 season so far, where surprises on the women's side are met with complete predictability for the men. Is the shakeup atop the women's game--including Victoria Azarenka's "Sunshine Double"--more a product of the field improving or Serena Williams slipping? And who, if anyone, can be considered a clay court favorite?

On the men's side, has Novak Djokovic reached the UConn women's basketball level of domination where you have to score him high on style points in order for him to be watchable? We then unintentionally wade into uncharacteristically molten hot take territory, discussing who was/is better at their career peak: Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic?

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

After the tennis world was glued to the unlikely location of a 6-0, 6-0 qualifying match at a $25k in Pelham, Alabama, Ben chats in this mini-episode with the reason for that fascination: Gail Falkenberg, who continues to compete in professional tennis at the age of 69. What has this 15 minutes of fame (including coverage in the Wall Street Journal) been like for her? What were her origins in tennis, and keeps her competing at this challenging level against much younger opposition despite lopsided losses? As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Today is Tax Day in the United States, and so we thought we'd take a dive into the fun and splashy topic of taxes! Joining Ben to talk about finances and bookkeeping in tennis is Kelsey Anderson, the wife of top ATP player Kevin Anderson, who herself is a certified public accountant (though even she outsources some of the more complex tax stuff to an expert in tennis taxes). Tax laws that affect scheduling in the U.K., tax havens like Monte Carlo, it's all here. As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

“I have never cuddled with Rory McIlroy.” Guess which NCR’er said that. Ben and Courtney meet up in Mason, Ohio for the Western & Southern Open. Pardon us if we’re a little punchy. We weren’t exaggerating about the Applebees action. (Courtney’s note — Is it just me or is Ben WAY BETTER live rather than on Skype?) Talking Roger Federer dominance, the continued solidness of Angelique Kerber, Jelena Jankovic’s struggles, the charm of Petra Kvitova, we confess our love for Carlos Rodriguez (maybe. we don’t know. it’s complicated), and we talk about the faves and not-so-faves going into the U.S Open. We also take some questions. Keep them coming, y’all. And Ben finally gets an opportunity to let loose on track cycling. Spoiler alert: He is not a fan.

It's our sesquicentennial! As Ben and Courtney commemorate 150 episodes (well, actually this is our 181st, but you know we're not much for counting correctly), they first take you on a trip to the south of France, where NCR's France correspondant Carole Bouchard wraps up the Monte Carlo Masters, where Nadal won on clay and it was somehow a surprise. Then, after a detour through Fed Cup, we pivot to the south of the United States, and soak in the sounds of the Volvo Car Open in Charleston, one of our favorite stops on tour with some of our favorite people. You'll hear from four of them: volunteer extraordinaire Lynn Coursey ("She's here!"), Diane Elayne Dees and Daniel Ward of Women Who Serve, and tournament manager Eleanor Adams. Then Courtney and Ben meditate (or something) on their relative experiences with the sports worlds of Portland and Philadelphia.  Ben also announces the upcoming NCRvision Song Contest which will be brought to your in just a few weeks, so be sure to tweet or email us your submissions!  As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

In their last pre-Europe show, Ben and Courtney discuss the things you probably shouldn't do on television, like Roselyne Bachelot's accusations about Rafael Nadal that just drew a defamation lawsuit. But is there any good way to talk about illicit performance enhancement speculation, a question raised by Andy Murray voicing his vague suspicions? Also, Serena Williams and her throne joined Beyonce in Lemonade, which was way neato. Then we take questions on WTA surprises (including the delightful Cagla Buyukakcay, Nishikori stagnation and Djokovic-Nadal.  As mentioned, here's Irina Falconi's fundraising effort for earthquake relief in Ecuador. And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Ben and Courtney are covering the Mutua Madrid Open for the first time, and are surprised by some things and not by others. We also discuss the schedule management concerns cropping up this week as they pertain to grassophiles Roger Federer and Venus Williams, as well as the general topics of the Olympics drawing closer on the horizon. Then, we sit down with the ever delightful and insightful Timea Bacsinszky, to talk about how her perspective and pressures and role on the tour have changed as she has flown up the rankings. She's a fun listen, as always. And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR152!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be. Related links: 

• Courtney's recommended episode of The Heart, Idiot and Dummy.
• Ben appearing on Jeopardy last week, which he'll discuss *next* week on NCR.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

It's been a rainy start to Wimbledon, but there isn't deja vu to the Paris misery just yet, in large part because of the delightful story of #772 Marcus Willis, who won seven matches to win a trophy of sorts: a chance to face Roger Federer on Centre Court. It was the best sort of sports story, and it brightened an already rainy first week. To talk about the remarkable rise of the man known as "Cartman," we hear from Willis himself, his girlfriend Jennifer Bate, and commentator Mike Cation, who incredulously called Cartman's infamous "RC Coke and a Snickers" breakthrough in Knoxville. And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR160a!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

On his way to a calendar slam that many considered as likely as not, Novak Djokovic ran into the indomitable Sam Querrey. Yes, that happened. Ben and Courtney discuss the stunning win, both from a perspective of Novak's understandable letdown and Querrey's unlikely casting in this role, despite his undeniable talent and weapons.  Also, an update on the rest of rain-soaked play, and the all important questions of where it leaves our concert plans.  And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR160b!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

After the Wimbledon quarterfinals have wrapped up for both the men and women at Wimbledon, Ben is joined by two lovely guests, tennis historian Steve Flink of TennisChannel.com and Australian Tennis Magazine's Matt Trollope, to discuss the past and future.  How much will Roger Federer's epic win over Marin Cilic take out of him heading into the semifinals against Milos Raonic? And will Andy Murray be able to make good on his favorite as status?  On the women's side, hear from Venus' coach David Witt, as well as our takes on her run and whether this should be considered Serena's tournament to lose. And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR160c!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

It was a Wimbledon with two worthy champions, Serena Williams and Andy Murray, and two worthy finalists in Angelique Kerber and Milos Raonic who delivered finals of varying levels of entertainingness. First on the women: how much was this win about Serena finally overcoming the Vinci shock, as Patrick Mouratoglou said? And how did Kerber change her legacy? On the men, why did the final seem so flat and dull? Is this the start of bigger things from Murray, that might even include reaching No. 1 at some point? Also, how much will Federer rue the missed opportunity?  Also, PB&J and ice. Both nice. And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR60d!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

The week after Wimbledon featured an unexpected bump of news--namely, pregnancy concerns both future and present. Firstly, Victoria Azarenka announced that she is expecting a baby and will miss the rest of the season. What kind of impact will this have on the rest of the WTA season, all of which will take place on the hardcourts which Vika has dominated? Next, Zika fears have been cited as the reason for the withdrawals of four top players--Simona Halep, Milos Raonic, Tomas Berdych, and Karolina Pliskova. What do we make of the decision? Also, how is this rest of the season shaping up narrativewise without any calendar slam intrigue? Then we take a number, and Courtney plugs in while Ben switches off.

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR161!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Roger Federer is out for the rest of the 2016 season, so Ben, Courtney, and Kickstarting guest producer/host Ashish Malhotra talk about what it means for his future, his present, and the rest of the year's tennis. Then, with the Olympics fast approaching, are players ready or anxiously awaiting? The answers vary and surprise. Ben then chats with 37-year-old Ivo Karlovic, who won Newport and reached the Washington final as part of an ever greying tour. Is the aging game a good thing? And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR162!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

After one round of action in Rio there are already some big tennis upsets in the books, so Ben and Courtney raced to their microphones to discuss. Firstly, Juan Martin del Potro stunned Novak Djokovic in straight sets, upending the tournament. This was shocking, even if it was a match to watch, and we explain why. Does Djokovic's reaction show the gravity of the Olympics? And how about those doubles upsets? Also, our thoughts about other doings at the Olympics early on, from soccer heckling to gymnastics injuries, as well as our fat kid snacking proclivities. And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR162a!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Olympic tennis produced one of its most stunning results with Monica Puig winning gold, and so Ben  nd Courtney are here to break that down, as well as all the other medals and losers in Rio. What does Monica's win show us about Olympic tennis, and what does it mean for her going forward? How delightful were the silver efforts of Juan Martin del Potro and Venus Williams? And why weren't many of the other results surprising? Also, is it fair to call Jack Sock a "doubles specialist"? To tee up this week's tournament in Cincinnati, we chat with local sports reporter Shannon Russell, who has covered the tennis here for the Cincinnati Enquirer, and sheds light on what it's like being a one-week-a-year tennis reporter serving a tournament's local market. Then in a wide-ranging rant extravaganza, Courtney talks about journalism (after John Oliver did) and Ben talks about plaques (but really Pokemon again). And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR163!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

The year's final grand slam event is upon us, and Ben and Courtney are ready with their draws to break down the who and how of this US Open.  There are surprising champions in Cincinnati to review (Marin Cilic and Karolina Pliskova) to mull over, shaky #1s to evaluate (Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams), and increasingly steady anchors at the bottom of each draw (Andy Murray and Angelique Kerber). So, who do we pick? Lastly, Courtney sings. And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR164!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

The first few rounds of the U.S. Open are in the books, and most of the stars have advanced. But they've advanced past the tennis cavalry of the sport--lovingly known by our guest Andrew as the Foot Soldiers of Tennis. Paolo Lorenzi has become the prototype for such effort without reward--until now. As he's made it into the third round of the U.S. Open, we'd thought it would be a fitting time to pay tribute. And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR165b!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

With pudding and beer in hand, Ben and Courtney wrap up their main thoughts from a first week of the U.S. Open that mostly went without major disruption. Raonic, Kyrgios, Cilic and Muguruza being out is surprising, as is Caroline Wozniacki and Anastasija Sevastova being in. But mostly, it's business as expected, which should set up for a grand second week. We hope.  Also, there's a roof and it makes things louder. And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR165c!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

The U.S. Open is proud to have been a leader in gender equality in terms of prize money (and it's the only Slam with the same number of male and female competitors), but how does that translate to the press room? Carl Bialik of FiveThirtyEight joins Ben and Courtney to discuss his analysis of the data regarding this, and our pal Carole Bouchard, quoted in the article, also weighs in. And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR165d!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

The finals of the U.S. Open are upon us, and so Ben and Courtney discuss what we can look for and how we got here. On the men's side (for which we are joined by the emerald of our eye, Leigh Walsh), we start with a contemplation of Gael Monfils, and the tactics (tanking?) that drew so much ire in his semifinal performance against Djokovic. Speaking of Djokovic, everybody seems to think he's going to lose to Stan Wawrinka. Why? On the women's side, we discuss Serena Williams' straight-set loss to Karolina Pliskova, and Angelique Kerber's subsequent ascendancy to #1, as well as who is better equipped to win that final. And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR165e!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Recording late the night after the U.S. Open concluded, Ben and Courtney are low on energy (and occasionally coherence) but high on thoughts about the tennis that transpired, and the two parallel champions who emerged in Angelique Kerber and Stan Wawrinka. Can their every(wo)manness inspire the rest of the tour? And will Kerber be able to hang onto the #1 spot for the rest of the year, or can Serena Williams be counted on to make her reign a short one? Also, we discuss why we are (both, now) so over best-of-five and why tennis would be smart to phase it out. Also, the highs and lows of the Slam season in retrospect, plus Yakko, Wakko, and Dot. And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR165e!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

With the Istanbul final between Tunisian Malek Jaziri and Israeli Dudi Sela on Sunday, the cross-section of religion and tennis again came into focus this week. To look at it from several angles this week, we welcome three guests: Israeli Jew Shahar Peer, American Catholic Tim Smyczek, and Pakistani Muslim Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi, about how their respective faiths (and sometimes their intertwined nationalities) have affected their lives playing tennis on tour in various ways.  And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR165e!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

NCR is back after an unforeseen delay (our apologies), and we start by catching up with the conclusion of the Maria Sharapova meldonium case, as Ben welcomes back guest Richard Ings, who had previously discussed Sharapova's positive test with us back on Episode 145A when she announced it back in March. What have we learned over the course of this case? How much should this affect Sharapova's reputation, and should she be labeled a "cheater"? What can ITF do to prevent its athletes having similar pitfalls in the future? All that, plus transparency, TUEs, and more. Reading material referenced in this episode:

• The initial ITF decision against Sharapova
• The CAS decision overturning the ITF decision and reducing ban from 24 to 15 months.
• Ben's interview with Sharapova in the New York Times
• ESPN's Outside the Lines report critical of tennis anti-doping systems.

And as always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR167!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.