No Challenges Remaining

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. Binge - "Vamos Rafa"Robin Ward - "Wimbledon"We Are the Physics - "Goran Ivanisevic"Stagecoach - "Evonne"Ivo Karlovic (Feat. Novak Djokovic) - "Moja droga je tenis"Gino's Eyeball - "Kournikova"Drew McCulloch - "Andy Murray"City of Angels - "The Tennis Song"We Got the Power! - "Wozniacki"Jenna Maroney - "Tennis Night in America"Wyclef Jean - "Venus (I'm Ready)"The Party Man Network - "Milos Raonic PSA Song"dyadyaBOB - "Sam vs OVAs"Far In Jim - "Hey There Andy Murray"Jamie Foxx - "Can I Be Your Tennis Ball? (+Remix)"Bryan Bros Band (Feat. Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray) - "Autograph"DJ Grand Slam (Feat. King Roger) - "Success Comes Back"Phranc - "M-A-R-T-I-N-A"Rich White Ladies - "Wimbledon"Rock Salt & Nails - "Volley Highway"Serena Williams - "I Win"Hugh Laurie - "I'm in Love With Steffi Graf"Kieran Butler - "Allez Tsonga"Beatenberg - "Rafael"Umberto Carli - "Like Maria Sharapova"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.

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. Binge - "Vamos Rafa" Robin Ward - "Wimbledon" We Are the Physics - "Goran Ivanisevic" Stagecoach - "Evonne" Ivo Karlovic (Feat. Novak Djokovic) - "Moja droga je tenis" Gino's Eyeball - "Kournikova" Drew McCulloch - "Andy Murray" City of Angels - "The Tennis Song" We Got the Power! - "Wozniacki" Jenna Maroney - "Tennis Night in America" Wyclef Jean - "Venus (I'm Ready)" The Party Man Network - "Milos Raonic PSA Song" dyadyaBOB - "Sam vs OVAs" Far In Jim - "Hey There Andy Murray" Jamie Foxx - "Can I Be Your Tennis Ball? (+Remix)" Bryan Bros Band (Feat. Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray) - "Autograph" DJ Grand Slam (Feat. King Roger) - "Success Comes Back" Phranc - "M-A-R-T-I-N-A" Rich White Ladies - "Wimbledon" Rock Salt & Nails - "Volley Highway" Serena Williams - "I Win" Hugh Laurie - "I'm in Love With Steffi Graf" Kieran Butler - "Allez Tsonga" Beatenberg - "Rafael" Umberto Carli - "Like Maria Sharapova" 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!). A

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.