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Episode 230: Halep Takes the Wheel; Big 3 Roll Jul 17, 2019

Show notes

Back on Centre Court among the debris of the men's final, Ben and Courtney wrap up the Wimbledon that was.
You'll hear much, including: why the men's and women's draws need each other so; the Coco Gauff breakthrough; Halep's incredible run; another close-but-no-cigar for Serena; we love Barbora Strycova; the media vs Johanna Konta; the Big 3 cruising until the late rounds and then playing matches high on drama if chunky on quality, especially the riveting Djokovic-Federer final; the wage theft from Bernard Tomic; and the imperative for tennis to find a way to foreground mixed doubles.
Until next time, keep calm and Carrie 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 #NCR230!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 229: A Wimbledon Preview From Centre Court Jun 30, 2019

Show notes

On their second try, Ben and Courtney recorded a Wimbledon preview from Centre Court, full of rehearsals for the big show which begins tomorrow (no, we don't mean Edmund-Munar).
First on the quarter of death in the women's draw, led by Ash Barty (whom Serena Williams was surprised and delighted to learn was #1) and including Serena, Kerber, Sharapova, Muguruza, and more.
Then we also talk dudes, including our hopes that the blockbuster Nadal-Kyrgios second round materializes.

And lots 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 #NCR228!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 228: Barty, Nadal Party in France Jun 13, 2019

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A few days after the French Open, Ben and Courtney look back on the tournament that was and wasn't. While celebrating the champions--particularly the breakthrough of Ash Barty--we explore the general ennui we're left with from a tournament that never quite got in gear.

We discuss the Big 3, Serena, Thiem, Serena-Thiem, and a bit more from the Slam that was.
Also, because we're in Champagne (we're fancy now), we discuss the fallout from the U.S.A.'s emphatic 13-0 victory over Thailand which we watched in Reims. Bugattis were earned.

Episode 227: Draw Me Like One of Your French Opens, 2019 May 25, 2019

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With hours to go before the 2019 French Open begins, Ben and Courtney sit down for a quick-ish rundown of who can win this tournament and why.

From Naomi to Novak, Rafa to Petra, Plisko to Delpo, Tsitsi to Kiki, it's all here.

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 #NCR227!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 226: Nick Kyrgios May 15, 2019

Show notes

In our first player interview in a while, Ben sits down in Rome with Nick Kyrgios, who provides his remarkably unfiltered views on himself and others in tennis.

After a stupid saga of Twitter encounters, Ben and Nick's in-person chat offers infinitely more than 280 perspectives from one of the games most fascinating, complex, and divisive characters. You'll agree with parts, you'll disagree with parts, but mostly, hopefully, you'll be surprised by his honesty, for better or worse.

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 #NCR226!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.

Episode 225: Quartermarks and Coups Apr 23, 2019

Show notes

Ben and Courtney catch up on the happenings on the tours over the past couple months, which has been dominated by the story of no one dominating. What's to explain the spread of unique winners on both tours? And is the real story, perhaps, the youth movement?

We discuss some of the more intriguing individual plotlines from this stretch as well, including Naomi Osaka splitting with her coach Sascha Bajin, how players like her will adjust to clay, Bianca Andreescu's mature breakout, and Denis Shapovalov's rapping and its reception.

Then onto the older guard, we talk about Roger Federer's relaxed, low-stakes mood going into clay, and if that could ever be possible for Serena Williams to enjoy in her career. Then we discuss the problematic fave status of John Isner, the coup of ATP chief executive Chris Kermode, the new-look Miami Open, and the slumping Daria Kasatkina.

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 #NCR225!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

Episode 224: The 10 Most Important Women in Tennis History Feb 12, 2019

Show notes

Taking a conversation that began on Twitter and building it into the longest episode they've ever done on one topic, Ben and Courtney wend their way through the history of women's tennis to discuss which players shaped it the most, from the beginning to the present to the future.
There are consensus picks and contentious picks, but whether you agree or disagree with our assessments, we hope you enjoy this lengthy look at who and what made women's tennis the force it is today, and the many different ways in which both positive and negative impact and importance can be measured and assessed.
It's all subjective, but it's a great subject, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

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 #NCR224!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

Episode 223: Australian Open - Djokovic and Osaka Again Jan 30, 2019

Show notes

A day after the Australian Open, Ben and Courtney convene to discuss a Slam which seemed to provide more answers than questions, for a change. Both Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka consolidated their US Open wins (and their #1 rankings) with titles in Melbourne, and the future looks reasonably reasonable?
On the men's side, we discuss where it sets up Djokovic, put Nadal's result in context, celebrate new semifinalists Lucas Pouille and Stefanos Tsitsipas, and wonder about what the future looks like for Roger Federer

On the women's side, we discuss the polarizing Danielle Collins, put Serena's setback in context, and look back on Simona Halep's time at #1.
Then, lastly, we do a small bit of Andy Murray reflecting, all caveated by his hedging.

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 #NCR223!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

Episode 222: Steve The Talk - Stefanos Tsitsipas, with Vicky Georgatou Jan 22, 2019

Show notes

With Stefanos Tsitsipas breaking onto the world stage by beating Roger Federer and then backing it up, Ben is joined by Vicky Georgatou, the best (and only) Greek reporter following him around the tour as he's soared up the ranks and into the semifinals of the Australian Open

What has she made of his quick rise and his boisterous supporters here? And how will his unique personality hold up as he continues to grow as a superstar in Greece and abroad?

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 #NCR222!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

Episode 221: Mary Carillo Returns Jan 13, 2019

Show notes

In what we hope will become an annual tradition, Mary Carillo joins us once again as the Australian Open is about to begin, helping us set the table for what should be a tasty Slam.
Across a freewheeling chat that takes several sharp turns along a scenic route to Day 1 of the Australian Open, we discuss Andy Murray, Ash Barty, Hopman Cup, ATP Cup, Serena Williams, and our hopes for the 2019 season, which include records and breakthroughs.

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 #NCR221!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

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