No Challenges Remaining

Latest Episodes:

Episode 238a: Top 10 Defining Male Players of the Decade Dec 13, 2019

Show notes

Ben and Courtney wrap up the decade of NCR with our lists of who were the most defining players of the decade, each picking 10 players (10 men, 10 women) who we think best tell the story of the last 10 years in tennis.

We start with the men, which was a much more straightforward exercise in some ways, but also still leaves plenty of room for debate.

Do you agree with our picks? Share your own top 10 (and an explanation, ideally) with us on social media or email!

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

Episode 237: Tennis Power Plays with Lindsay Gibbs Dec 03, 2019

Show notes

NCR is delighted to welcome back Lindsay Gibbs, creator of Power Plays, for a wide-ranging discussion of sexism in sports, anchored (obviously in tennis).

Ben and Lindsay start with the massive symbolic importance of the mega millions on offer to the WTA Top 8 in Shenzhen, what that signals for women's sports, but also how that signal might be muddled by the relative lack of coverage or attendance at the event.

We also compare the WTA to the LPGA, talk about how athlete activism can be built, and much more.

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR237!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 236c: Reviewing New Davis Cup (with Eleanor Crooks) Nov 26, 2019

Show notes

To wrap up the highs and lows of the radically revamped Davis Cup Finals event which just wrapped in Madrid, Ben is joined by Eleanor Crooks of PA to get impressions from on the ground at the new "World Cup of Tennis" from a veteran reporter of the format.

How did expectations match realities? Which constituencies were most and least happy? What most needs addressing? And how does the relative success of Davis Cup change the pressure on ATP Cup, which is the next event on the men's tennis calendar?

Also, a bit of bonus talk about the new Andy Murray documentary, which comes out later this week.

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR236c!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 236b: Farewells and Fair Blocks Nov 25, 2019

Show notes

Ben and Courtney continue their end-of-season show by looking at the various, disparate newsmakings of retired WTA stars Margaret Court (what should Tennis Australia do?) and Kim Clijsters (what should we expect of her comeback?).

Also discussed are the careers of the departing Dominika Cibulkova and Tomas Berdych, Courtney's handshake with Andy Murray, Hawkeye replacing line judges, and the first comparison you've ever heard between Jannik Sinner and Lizzo.
Also we discuss our worst experience with a person on tour, and our criteria for blocking on Twitter.

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR236b!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 236a: Tsitsipas is King in England; WTAsia Wrap Nov 18, 2019

Show notes

After far too long apart, Ben and Courtney reunited to record a sprawling conversation as the tennis season nears its end, and here's the first half.

We start with Stefanos Tsitsipas triumphing at the ATP Finals in London, which sure offered evidence of a changing of a guard if we're ever ready to be ready to accept that. What makes Tsitsipas so unique? And is Thiem now a threat everywhere?

We also dig into the discussions around the visibility and yet privacy of Sascha Zverev's health, and how it should be covered going forward. Also, Davis Cup is here in a whole new way.

We then shift to Courtney's trip through WTAsia, which featured long-awaited match-ups of breakout stars. We also discuss rising phenoms Sofia Kenin and Coco Gauff.

Our first attempt at timestamps!

0:58 Tsitsipas

14:16 Looking back at last episode's crucial error.

25:37 Zverev health discussions

41:40 Davis Cup

48:55 WTAsia with Barty, Bianca, and Osaka

1:07:07 Kenin

1:11:05 Coco Gauff
As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR236a!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 235: Dude Tennis With Ricky Dimon Nov 02, 2019

Show notes

In an annual NCR tradition, Ben is joined in DC by marathoner Ricky Dimon for a lookback at the ATP season that was.

2019 offered a lot of the same in terms of Big 3 dominance--will the one who finishes with the most Slams automatically win G.O.A.T. debates? Though in 2019 there were also meaningful breakthroughs...right? And will Andy Murray be able to contend again soon?

We also look at the overflowing cupboard of cups in men's tennis, which now bulges with Laver Cup, new Davis Cup, and ATP Cup. Is there possibly an appetite for them all? And is it fair that ATP Cup awards points, unlike the other two?

Lastly, we go over a possible ballot for the ATP awards this year--as well as their inverses.

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR235!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 234: Tennis Politics with Vasek Pospisil Oct 18, 2019

Show notes

We're back with an interview from a bit ago with Vasek Pospisil, who has been using his spot on the ATP Player Council to lead a crusade for greater representation and compensation for players.

Ben and Vasek talk about those issues, as well as conflicts of interest, Justin Gimelstob, Chris Kermode, relations with the WTA player leadership, and more.
If you're interested in tennis politics, this is the episode for you.

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR234!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 233: Bianca, Rafa Win a U.S. Open for the Millennium Sep 10, 2019

Show notes

The U.S. Open was one to remember for runs by champion Bianca Andreescu and runner-up Daniil Medvedev, whom Ben and Courtney explore on this wrap show from a very good tournament.
Rafael Nadal won his 19th Grand Slam, somehow becoming the best U.S. Open player of the decade. And Serena Williams lost a fourth straight Grand Slam final, bafflingly. We discuss both of those happenings, plus men's semifinalists Grigor Dimitrov and Matteo Berrettini, as well as women's fourth rounders Naomi Osaka, Taylor Townsend, and Kristie Ahn.

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR233!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 232: U.S. Open 2019 Preview Aug 25, 2019

Show notes

On the eve of the U.S. Open, Ben and Courtney sit down with the draws to figure out who is going to win this thing. It only feels worth going so far on the women's side, given the parity and upheaval on that tour lately, whereas our men's picks are mighty confident--including for newcomer to the top Daniil Medvedev.

We discuss Serena-Sharapova, Bianca Andreescu, Hubert Hurkacz's mock turtleneck, Jannik Sinner's roots, and much more.

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR232!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 231: On Stopping Aug 15, 2019

Show notes

With careers lasting longer than ever in professional tennis nowadays, how does one end?
To discuss that, Ben welcomes Tim Smyczek back to NCR. With the US Open not awarding Tim a wild card into the tournament this year, he found out a couple days ago that he had played the final match of his pro career.

Tim didn't reach the highs of many players you'd be more familiar with, but his experience is both reflective of more players who give professional tennis a shot, and also a success story. And one, as you'll learn, that he is happy to close the book on.

As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR231!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected