No Challenges Remaining

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...

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 conti...

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...

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 s...

Surprise! Yes indeed, we are bringing you Episode 99h on the same day we're dropping our much anticipated (by us, anyway) Episode 100. We wanted to make sure all the happenings in Charleston and Houston didn't get overlooked by the momentous occasion of our centennial. Let's face it, we are casting a very large, virtually inescapable shadow today. On this episode we wrap up the happenings at the A...

Courtney and Ben are in Charleston for the Family Circle Cup. In between meals and food comas they convene to break down the Miami Open finals. Is Novak Djokovic the Serena Williams of the ATP? Is Serena Williams the Novak Djokovic of the WTA? Do these comparisons even make sense? We don't know! We are so high on shrimp and grits we don't even know what we're saying! Ben is so out of it he saw fly...

Ben and Courtney are not in Miami, and they have lots of thoughts and concerns about various others that have already made untimely exits from that tournament? What's going on with Maria Sharapova? And is it time to sell stock in Rafael Nadal, or will he turn it around and perform at his best again like always? And what about the bevvy of top 10 players from the WTA in 2014 who are slipping now, l...

After a 12-hour ride from Misaki Doi, Ben and Courtney are in the Bay Area, ready to look back on the desert. What to make of the surreally familiar withdrawal of Serena Williams? How was it handled, and how was it a fitting conclusion to her appearance? What does the mean win for Simona Halep? On the men's side, is Djokovic-Federer the sport's greatest rivalry? We also talk about a guy who is onl...

It's all about Serena. It always has been. On this week's episode, Ben and Courtney dissect Serena Williams' return to Indian Wells after 13 years. How was she received (pretty well!)? How did she handle the scrutiny (pretty darn well!)? How did she handle questions about her split with Sascha Bajin (well....)? We also talk about Sloane Stephens (Queen of the Block), Rafael Nadal (King of the Rant...

In a quicker, one-take episode, Ben and Courtney blow through the Davis Cup results from the past weekend. How do we, as Americans, digest a second straight humbling at the unheralded hands of James Ward? And what do we make of the rest of the results this weekend from around the world? Then we turn our sights toward our current desert locale, and break down the men's and women's draws at Indian W...

As they inch toward triple digits, Ben and Courtney reflect on the week that was, and the sudden, undeniable relevance of Dav id Ferrer, who has won back-to-back 500 titles, and Courtney shares some of her conversation with Ferrer from Rio. We then discuss the importance of Roger Federer's winning record over Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal's run through the soft Buenos Aires field, and Victoria Azar...

As they hurtle toward triple digits, Ben and Courtney stall on opposite sides of the equator this week, and discuss Courtney's adventures in Brazil. What is tennis in Rio like, and what do we make of Rafael Nadal's latest drama? Over in Dubai, how big a win was it for Simona Halep? We then award a Slay Badge and Dragged Condolence(?) to the players who had the best and worst weeks. Then we welcome...

As they rapidly approach triple digits, Ben and Courtney discuss the week that was in Rotterdam, Antwerp, and beyond! What do we make of Stan Wawrinka's start to 2015, and is Tomas Berdych an underachiever? Over in Belgium, what is it that makes Alize Cornet and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova so glorious to behold? Then we introduce our new segment Slay/Drag, where we discuss the biggest winners and l...

What was supposed to be a quiet week of post-Slam relaxation turned into anything but, and Ben and Courtney are here to break it all down for you. First and foremost, what do we make of Serena Williams' surprise decision to return to Indian Wells this year, ending a 14-year boycott of the event after an ugly, racially charged scene in 2001? How she will be received, and how has the boycott hung ov...

Another Grand Slam is in the book, and Ben and Courtney think you probably could have guessed the ending. What do we make of Serena Williams' 19th Grand Slam? How does it change her place in history, and why is Serena-Sharapova actually the best rivalry in the WTA? (And yes, it IS a rivalry). And how about Novak Djokovic's fifth Australian Open title, and the bubbling bad blood that seems to be br...

Live from Down Under, Courtney and Ben are ready to kick off the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year! We break down the draws and the drama coming in: how do Rafa's question marks and his seemingly cake draw resolve themselves? Can Federer hold up physically? Is Serena still the safe pick these days? Why does Sharapova keep throwing shade at Ivanovic? Also, Ben explains his new fanta...

It's the NCR Season 4 premiere! Ben and Courtney kick off 2015 with their early impressions of the season and how the stars are aligning. What to make of Serena's undercaffeination? And how much panic is justified for Rafael Nadal's justifiably mediocre results over the past seven months? Also, we ruminate on the injury return of Juan Martin del Potro and the departure of IPTLers Jo-Wilfried Tsong...

On the NCR season finale (delayed by foreseen holidays and unforeseen technical difficulties), Ben and Courtney put a bow on the 2014 season. First, what to make of the rich-getting-richer prize money increases at the Masters level? Are those deserved by the top players over lower-tier players? How do hall of fame votes work, and what do we make of the very level nominee class of Kafelnikov, Brugu...

In peak off-season form, Ben and Courtney deliver another overflowing platter of chat charcuterie. What to make of the big coaching moves of Madison Keys, and the late-breaking decision by Agnieszka Radwanska to hire Martina Navratilova? Which of the Madison-Genie-Laura trio has the best chance to break through? Why don't we talk more about doubles? We explain. And after very briefly circling back...

Stuffed with turkey and gratitude, Ben and Courtney stick a fork into the 2014 season by looking back at the Davis Cup final and the rest of this improbable season. Was the Swiss win more about Swiss excellence or French failure? Who had the better year, Stan or Roger? And does Mirkagate somehow shed light on the shadowiest parts of the sport? Also, we discuss the recent coaching changes made by S...

In the last time they'll see each other in 2014 (insert wistful emoticon trying to keep a brave face), Ben and Courtney sat down in London to discuss the WTF-ness of the WTFs, which started out super boring, then had incredible drama in the middle, then lacked a finish altogether. What a delicious jambalaya of emotions we're processing! Firstly, why were the matches in London so uncompetitive and...

With a rollicking new intro to get the ball rolling, Ben and Courtney are in Europe and Asia respectively, and looking at how the years are wrapping up on both tours. What to make of Singapore, where the WTA came for the first time? How does Serena's season look in retrospect, and should Halep have eliminated her from the tournament? Who has had a better season, Serena or Djokovic? Why is the tour...

Reunited from opposite sides of the Great (Fire)wall of China, Ben and Courtney recap the happenings of the last several weeks. What has Courtney made of the tournaments she's seen in China? What will it take for tennis to survive and thrive there? And what of the ailments of Serena and Rafa? Is caution or bravery the right prescription? Also, what of the Spanish sexism toward their new Davis Cup...

In this nearly Ben-less episode from Beijing, Courtney and Chinese reporter Liu Renjie (aka Joe) discuss the impact of Li Na's retirement, and just how much of a game-changer she was for tennis in China. How did her interactions with Chinese and western media differ? And what were the ways she changed China's perceptions of the world, and the world's perceptions of China, and China's perceptions o...

Upon reading Li Na's retirement announcement, Ben and Courtney stepped into the NCR Studios from opposite sides of the world to reflect on the legacy left by her hall-of-fame career. What impact did she have on the sport? Was she a one-off, or is there a genuine tidal wave of Asian talent coming behind her? Can the WTA's push into Asia be viable without her? For as talented as she was, might she h...