No Challenges Remaining

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? Th...

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...

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...

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...

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 Will...

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 coul...

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 o...

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...

In Episode 119, Ben and Courtney bring NCR to the people! With the help of the good folks at the Western & Southern Open in Mason, Ohio, Ben and Courtney fire up the recorder to do a live show in front of an actual audience of people! We answer questions ranging from all things Nick Kyrgios to various tennis hypotheticals. And the super duper bonus? The one and only Victoria Azarenka joins us amon...

*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 t...

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 Wor...

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 yo...

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 a...

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...

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 act...

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. Th...

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 i...

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...

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 p...

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 majo...

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...

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...

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 me...

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 co...

Ben and Courtney reconvene to discuss the madness in Madrid, where Andy Murray rolled to his first ATP Masters title on clay, while Petra Kvitova did what Petra Kvitova does and wins things when you don't expect her to win things even though we all know she should win all the things. Oh, you fickle grassophiles. We wish we knew how to quit you! Then we get in the mood for this week's Italian Open...