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Episode 213: When NCR Met Naomi Osaka Sep 06, 2018

Show notes

With Naomi Osaka reaching the U.S. Open final, Ben and Courtney revisit the first time we discussed her, back on Episode 83 in August 2014. We had never heard of her before that week, but we were immediately intrigued and excited.

We get a lot of things wrong on NCR, as anyone who listens knows, but we think we got this one right.

We also mention Courtney's interview with her on WTA Insider.

We'll be back after the finals to wrap up this whole very steamy tournament.
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 #NCR213!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

Episode 212: U.S. Open 2018 Draw Preview Spectacular Aug 25, 2018

Show notes

It's been a minute, but Ben and Courtney are back together to tee up the 2018 U.S. Open draw and do a little catching up on things we missed or covered in our lost post-Wimbledon episode.

First, the draws, which feature Serena Williams being dealt a gauntlet of her sister and Simona Halep, clearly the best player of the year. How do we assess the many threats in that quarter? And who else is well positioned to go deep?

On the men's side, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic seem like co-favorites, but how do their paths compare?

Also, we still agree about best-of-five, and now Andy Murray sees it our way. And one of us is more excited than the other about #poLLanskycaLLendarsLLam

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 #NCR212!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

Episode 211: Open Playbook (LGBT in Tennis, Feat. Nick McCarvel, Brian Vahaly, Casey Dellacqua) Aug 24, 2018

Show notes

NCR was THRILLED to be able to partner with friend of the show Nick McCarvel for his "Open Playbook: Being Queer & Out in Pro Tennis" event on the Thursday before the U.S. Open at the Housing Works Bookstore in SoHo.

After a quick intro chat between Ben and Nick, you'll here Nick host a panel featuring out gay former players Brian Vahaly and Casey Dellacqua, who share their different journeys of coming out and the acceptance (or lack thereof) they felt along the way.

It was a super fun night with cocktails (Martini Navratilova, anyone?) and drag queens and laughs, but also a unique chance to explore the LGBT experience in pro tennis, and we at NCR are thrilled to be able to bring it to those of you who were not in attendance (and it was great to meet the many listeners who were!)

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 #NCR211!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

Episode 210: Wimbledon Draw 2018 Jun 30, 2018

Show notes

Together in the Wimbledon Village, Ben and Courtney break down the women's and men's Wimbledon draws.
First, the women, where much handwringing ended with Serena Williams getting the #25 seed. Fair? We discuss. And how do things look for the favorites? And why are those in the know so stoked about Sabalenka-Niculescu.

On the men's side, is it interesting until clear favorite Roger Federer loses? You may find out our opinion on that, though Ben does his darnedest to offer factoids throughout.

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 #NCR210!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

Episode 209: Strokes of Genius with Jon Wertheim (and Federer, Nadal...and Gulbis) Jun 26, 2018

Show notes

In advance of the release of the Strokes of Genius documentary, Ben is joined by friend of the show Jon Wertheim, who wrote the book, literally, on the 2008 Wimbledon final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
We discuss what had made this match so exulted and immortal, what it takes to put together a production like this in the disjointed world of tennis, and how the match did (or didn't) change the course of tennis.

The show closes with a cameo by shoeless Ernests Gulbis, who has thoughts on being a second-class Wimbledon citizen as he competes in the qualifying draw at Roehampton.

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 #NCR209!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

Episode 208: Eleanor Preston Jun 24, 2018

Show notes

Ben and Courtney go back to their curtain-pulling roots to bring you the wisdom of Eleanor Preston, who works as Media Manager at the Nature Valley Classic where B+C were this week, as well as other various roles in sporting events around the globe.

We discuss credentialing (one of the things we're asked about most), press conferences, diversity in media, and much more. We then finish with a very brief wrap of what's happened on the grass so far.
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 #NCR208!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

Episode 207: Nadal's 11th, Halep's 1st Jun 18, 2018

Show notes

Together in Birmingham, Ben and Courtney look back on the French Open, which ended with creative destruction.
But before the "demolition party," there was Rafael Nadal's as-planned crushing of Dominic Thiem. How do we appreciate dominance while not being bored by the inevitable? What progress did Thiem show by reaching his first final? And why should no one be overly impressed by Sascha Zverev's run to the quarterfinals?
On the women's side, what does Simona Halep's break through say about her previous struggles? What has made Sloane Stephens into a perennial contender? And how do we assess Serena's grass prospects?

Then, lots and lots of rants.

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 #NCR207!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

Episode 206: Draw Me Like One of Your French Opens, 2018 May 25, 2018

Show notes

Ben and Courtney rendezvous in Paris once again to discuss the women's and men's French Open draws, which set up two very interesting tournaments (or maybe one and a half?)
The women's side is full of intriguing and relevant match-ups throughout, especially the highly anticipated section with Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, and Karolina Pliskova. What can we expect from Garbine Muguruza? Can lightning strike twice for Jelena Ostapenko (or has she become a more stable generator?) And can Elina Svitolina reach her Slam potential.

On the men's side, Ben posits why the super lopsided draw is actually perfect for the tournament, as all the best players who aren't Nadal get to battle amongst themselves for a spot in the final. He also defends his advocacy for John Isner, and Courtney explains her new devotion to Lil' David Goffin.

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 #NCR206!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

Episode 205: Rekindling Our Fuego May 22, 2018

Show notes

After an unintentionally long hiatus, Ben and Courtney are back together on the NCR airwaves from Paris, where they play a bit of catchup and try to set the table for the French Open ahead (with further draw dissection to come once it's out).

First, has much really changed compared to this time last year? What do we expect of Serena, and what do we make of the controversy which has arisen about her not being seeded for the tournament? Are seedings earned protections based on results, or projections of potential to win? And can Sascha Zverev finally do at Slams what he's done on tour?

That and more. Yeah, yeah, fire.

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 #NCR205!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

Episode 204: Osaka and Delpo Feel Their Moment Mar 26, 2018

Show notes

Back from Indian Wells, Ben and Courtney start with a discussion of surprise champ Naomi Osaka, who won her first title at any level in emphatic fashion against a murderer's row of opponents. What caused her breakthrough now, and what should we expect for Naomi going forward? Also, it was the big stage (and press room) emergence of the runner up, Daria Kasatkina.

Before that, what to make of the comeback of Serena Williams so far (including a loss to Naomi in Miami), and is it at all concerning that Venus hasn't been able to close out titles?

On the men's side, we discuss the breakthrough of Juan Martin del Potro, who at last won a Masters title. Also, checking in on the slumps of Karolina Pliskova and Maria Sharapova, as well as the how to minimize the distraction of stadium music.

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 #NCR204!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be!

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