With a bit of a post-Wimbledon lull on their hands, Ben and Courtney dive into their mailbag to answer some listener questions. Firstly, what do they think about Davis Cup, where Andy Murray looks likely to lead Britain to glory through a shrubby field? And what advice do we have for Bernard Tomic? And with Caitlyn Jenner in the spotlight, how should a trans player be handled in the pro game today? Also lots of stuff about Serena and the Slam and more! As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook...
Jul 22, 2015•1 hr 5 min
As the year grows ever "grander" with Serena winning Wimbledon, Ben and Courtney come together after Wimbledon ends to discuss her incredible year, and what it means for both tennis and her legacy, which is finally getting the reverence it is due, as well as her tough road to the women's final. We also talk about breakout Wimbledon finalist Garbine Muguruza, and the rest of women's second week action. On the men's side, we re-drop our jaws at Roger Federer's incredible semifinal against Andy Mur...
Jul 14, 2015•1 hr 7 min
Ben and Courtney are together on Wimbledon's Middle Sunday to break down the first week of the tournament, which was a solid balance of upsets and setting up interesting second week matchups. We start with the women, including Serena Williams' escape against Heather Watson, Petra Kvitova's loss to Jelena Jankovic, and the opportunity-laden bottom half as well as the Serena-Venus fourth rounder. Then the men, including Nadal-Brown, what we think of think-piece inspirer Nick Kyrgios, and more! Las...
Jul 05, 2015•1 hr 14 min
Live from Court 14, it's the Wimbledon draw analysis show! Ben and Courtney are outside because it's cold inside, and a little water won't scare us, right? We talk about the women's draw first, which has Serena and Sharapova and all the other usual suspects. Will there be a Sister Battle? We disagree. Next up are the men, and those three guys (Djokovic, Federer, Murray) with great chances to win it. We also discuss Aussie drama and all sorts of other little tidbits heading into the biggest tourn...
Jun 26, 2015•49 min
Just before they reunite again in SW19, Ben and Courtney bring you this treat of an episode from opposite sides of the world. After cameos by Rene Denfeld (of @WTAReactions ) and Ernests Gulbis (of top-10 reambitions), we are taken on a tour of the Wimbledon grounds by Alex Willis, who is director of digital and content for the Championships (and Wimbledon.com ). From Court 18 to Henman Hill to Centre Court to the Clubhouse, you'll "see" it all! Or, at least, a fair amount of it! Anyhow, the sce...
Jun 24, 2015•1 hr 35 min
With Courtney cavorting across North America in pursuit of soccer, Ben found a few exciting folks to keep him company in Halle this week. We start with Nick McCarvel , a tennis chameleon who has established himself with USA Today this year, and shares the stories of wearing so many hats. So, so many hats, you guys. Next up we turn to the newly launched ATP website , and talk to ATP senior vice president George Ciz and then ATP chief executive Chris Kermode about the launch and other issues facin...
Jun 17, 2015•1 hr 7 min
Just as Ben and Courtney were ready to kick off the grandest year in tennis, Stan Wawrinka interrupted and shocked Novak Djokovic and the world by winning the French Open. What was that all about, and what does it say about both Stan and Novak? On the women's sides, how do we like Serena Williams' chances of winning a true Grand Slam this year, and how will this roller coaster run to her 20th major title be remembered? Also we look ahead to grass, like soccer, and don't so much like horses. As a...
Jun 09, 2015•59 min
With the hotly anticipated Djokovic-Nadal quarterfinal now complete, Ben and Courtney put down the panic buttons and hit the record button to share their feelings. What does the unshocking yet lopsided loss say about Rafael Nadal, and his future as a dominant force in tennis? What can he do to regain former glories? Also, just how much better is Novak Djokovic than everybody else? We also discuss other issues of the French Open second week, including debris falling on spectators, surprise semifi...
Jun 04, 2015•56 min
Midway through the French Open, Ben and Courtney get together to discuss the French Open so far, including Roger Federer's selfie scare, Stan Wawrinka's official website outrage, Rafael Nadal's umpire requests, Venus Williams' press conference no-show, Serena-Azarenka, Halep loss, and more! We slay, we drag, we rant, we rave, and we think you'll enjoy! As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook , following us on Twitter , and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes or whatever your podcasting platform ...
Jun 01, 2015•55 min
Live from the dirt of Paris and the glitter of Vienna, respectively, Courtney and Ben break down the momentous draw of the 2015 French Open, and give our predictions in pathetically crapshoot fashion. Firstly: the Djokovic-Nadal quarter, ever anticipated, actually happened! Now what happens? As you can guess if you've been listening, we disagree. We also have different players coming out of the men's bottom half, so it should make for a fun men's tournament. On the women's top half, we have even...
May 22, 2015•55 min
As the B-52's once said, "Rome if you want to." Or maybe it was "roam". Whatever. On Episode 105, Ben makes Courtney jealous by talking about his mozzarella adventures in Italy, while Courtney makes Ben jealous by talking about how she spent her week in a non-third world country. We break down the results from Rome, which include Novak Djokovic's near assassination at the hands of a rogue Moet cork, and Maria Sharapova's triumphant week, which saw the return of the Black Swa-- er, we mean "Clayp...
May 19, 2015•1 hr 2 min
Ben and Courtney reconvene to discuss the madness in Madrid, where Andy Murray rolled to his first ATP Masters title on clay, while Petra Kvitova did what Petra Kvitova does and wins things when you don't expect her to win things even though we all know she should win all the things. Oh, you fickle grassophiles. We wish we knew how to quit you! Then we get in the mood for this week's Italian Open in Rome, as Ben sits down with the man, the myth, the legend, long-time Italian journalist Ubaldo Sc...
May 12, 2015•1 hr 29 min
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 the role of illegal streaming is in tennis. Then we talk about streaming and all sorts of other thin...
May 06, 2015•1 hr 13 min
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 continuing to win things? And Rafael Nadal continuing to not win things? Lastly, by listener request, we ...
Apr 29, 2015•1 hr 6 min
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 be made of refusing a handshake? We also discuss the ATP crackdown on GIFs, and you can probably gue...
Apr 21, 2015•1 hr 19 min
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 she is still from. After a disastrous segment attempt, we then talk to Ernests Gulbis about his thoug...
Apr 14, 2015•2 hr 5 min
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 American clay court tournaments. How surprising was Angelique Kerber's run to the Charleston title? I...
Apr 14, 2015•58 min
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 flying fish! It's been quite a week so far. Ben and Courtney then turn the mic over to a few people you...
Apr 08, 2015•1 hr 13 min
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, like Kerber, Radwanska, Wozniacki, Bouchard, and Ivanovic? Also, why aren't Ben and Courtney in Miami...
Mar 31, 2015•1 hr 13 min
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 only the greatest at doping offenses, Wayne Odesnik. Then we look ahead to Miami, and Courtney gets all...
Mar 25, 2015•1 hr 3 min
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), and the kids from Australia, (Kings of...Australia, I guess).We finish it off by praying to heave...
Mar 18, 2015•1 hr 13 min
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 Wells. Love may hurt, but you guys always make us feel just super. As always, thanks for liking us on...
Mar 11, 2015•48 min
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 Azarenka's reemergence as she lost to Lucie Safarova in Doha. Then, most excitingly, they welcome hall o...
Mar 03, 2015•1 hr 32 min
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 in guests Victoria Chiesa and David Kane, founders of The Tennis Island , to discuss all sorts of t...
Feb 24, 2015•1 hr 23 min
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 losers of the week. Our pal Reem Abulleil then joins the show to talk about the state of tennis in th...
Feb 17, 2015•1 hr 22 min
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 over the tournament in her absence? Next, we discuss the surprise coaching move of Genie Bouchard snat...
Feb 10, 2015•1 hr 10 min
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 brewing in the ATP? We also discuss the breakout runs of Madison Keys and Nick Kyrgios, because those ...
Feb 03, 2015•1 hr 25 min
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 fantasy tennis venture, Racket Rally , and Courtney rants about macaroons and missed opportunities. As al...
Jan 18, 2015•1 hr 1 min
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 Tsonga and Marin Cilic. Then, how about the mouths on those kids Borna Coric and Nick Kyrgios? We wrap wi...
Jan 09, 2015•1 hr 7 min
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, Bruguera, Mauresmo and Pierce? Then we remix Take a Number for the holidays, and imagine gifting among th...
Dec 27, 2014•2 hr 6 min
