In Episode 64, Ben and Courtney break down the draws for the 2014 Australian Open. What do we make of the flat, even women's draw? And the men's draw that's more top-heavy than Dolly Parton? Who is on upset alert, and who got lucky? And why did Gilles Simon insist on trying to valiantly play when pulling out would've made our show so much simpler? Plus, we share with you Ben's interview from during qualies with Ireland's James McGee , who has lots of great stories and thoughts about life on the ...
Jan 13, 2014•1 hr 23 min
Happy 2014, listeners! Ben and Courtney are back together and back on the microphone, this time coming to you live from Melbourne, Australia. We catch up on the first week of the season in somewhat breakneck fashion, discussing the underwhelming Hopman Cup, the significance of wins by Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams, the current state of Shoulderpova, and the threat that Roger Federer and Venus Williams should merit at the Australian Open. We also veer wildly off-topic several times because lik...
Jan 09, 2014•53 min
In Episode 62, Ben and Courtney continue to soldier through the off-season valiantly, kept warm through the bleak tennis-less winter by your questions. Which off-season coaching hires will have the biggest impacts on the 2014 season? Who is more likely to win a Slam next year, Maria Sharapova or Roger Federer? And does Federer's current slide diminish his legacy at all? We then take a number which allows us to explore the mismanaged world of tennis micro-finance, and then wrap it up with some of...
Dec 09, 2013•1 hr 17 min
In Episode 61, Ben and Courtney briefly discuss the wildly underwhelming Davis Cup final, then start diving into your questions! You wanted to know lots about the cautionary tale known as Janko Tipsarevic--which top players on both the ATP and WTA are most likely to mirror his slide in 2014? Then we discuss Agnieszka Radwanska, and how elegantly she is masked. Then a hypothetical: could present-day Serena beat present-day John McEnroe? We then take a number which amuses Courtney greatly, and wra...
Nov 22, 2013•1 hr 23 min
For the first time in over a month, Ben and Courtney are finally back together in the NCR Studios for a full episode! There is a whole lot to catch up on, obviously. First, how did Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams change their statuses in the game compared to the rest of the field? And just how much ground did Rafael Nadal and Victoria Azarenka lose, respectively? We also share tales from the road, a winding swing that took the two of us to far-off locales like Shanghai, Stockholm, Istanbul, P...
Nov 16, 2013•58 min
Ben and Courtney tried recording Episode 59 together, but the Internet connection between France and England proved prohibitively terrible, so Ben was left to forage alone in the Parisian desert. But he found an oasis of lovely ladies to talk to there, beginning with Carole Bouchard of L'Equipe . Ben and Carole discuss French tennis, why French fans like booing so much, and why Twitter has proved so wonderful for tennis fans around the globe. Ben then welcomes in Julie C. Rabe and Linda Christen...
Nov 12, 2013•32 min
Ben and Courtney remain on the road, traversing Europe and Asia, but they've now met in the middle just in time to bring you Episode 58, which is an interview with Dmitry Tursunov, one of the game's greatest talkers, and a player who has better blogging bonafides than nearly any other. We talk to Tursunov about the difficulties of life on tour, especially bouncing between the ATP Tour and Challengers. We also discuss how hard it is to keep a relationship while on tour, and how he wants to steal ...
Oct 21, 2013•24 min
In Episode 57, Ben and Courtney have no ketchup, but plenty of tennis in Asia! What do our protagonists make of the action in Tokyo, and the surprising results of Kvitova, Venus, and Azarenka? And what about Genie Bouchard, and the showcase-less cohort of young women she seems to be leading at the moment? And what of the Asian swing in general? Precious or pointless? Then we discuss the retirement announcement of David Nalbandian, which flows us nicely into a discussion of who is the "best" play...
Oct 06, 2013•1 hr 25 min
In Episode 56, Ben and Courtney reflect on all sorts of fun stuff, starting with the happenings in this year of Davis Cup. What do we make of the upcoming Americans vs. British battle, and just the Davis Cup format in general? Are major overhauls needed? Then the "diary" of Thomas Drouet, and what (if anything) we learned about the Tomics from it. Did Taylor Townsend stop juniors too early, and how should that decision be made? What is the relevance of doubles to the professional game these days...
Sep 27, 2013•1 hr 22 min
Episode 55b, fittingly, picks up where Episode 55a left off! Ben and Courtney continue discussing the U.S. Open, starting off with Roger Federer's thoroughly depressing tournament. Then comes Richard Gasquet, who finally made it back deep into a Slam. Lastly it's John Isner, and we chat about both the much discussed crowd at his loss to Gael Monfils as well as his (and Tim Smyczek's!) third round exits. Then we go rapid fire through your questions, covering all the ones we had received by record...
Sep 18, 2013•44 min
Our US Open wrap-up episode is better late than never, Ben and Courtney hope! Episode 55 was recorded the night the tournament ended, but has been delayed by a whole lot of technical difficulties (computers) and biomechanical difficulties (sleepy people). But now that it's here, you'll enjoy it! This episode looks back on the 2013 U.S. Open that was, but also the U.S. Open that wasn't. Why did this tournament feel flat? Flat or not, what do we make of the champions Rafa and Serena? And the runne...
Sep 16, 2013•49 min
Live, from New York, it's Episode 54 of No Challenges Remaining! From their Manhattan studio, Ben and Courtney discuss all things 2013 U.S. Open. What do we make of the withdrawal of Maria Sharapova Sugarpova Shoulderpova? Is Serena Williams' year a bust if she doesn't win a second Grand Slam? And is Serena-Sloane actually in some ways the best rivalry in the game today? Other topics include Nadal's dominance and health, Djokovic's diplomacy, Hingis' underwhelming comeback, Ivanovic's Twitter de...
Aug 28, 2013•55 min
On Episode 53, a roadshow, Ben and Courtney look back in the rearview mirror at happenings in Cincinnati, and forward to what it all means for the U.S. Open. What made Maria Sharapova dump Jimmy Connors after just one match? How is Serena Williams' friendliness toward Victoria Azarenka affecting their matches? Is the Federer-Nadal rivalry we saw glimpses of Cincinnati inherently better than the Djokovic-Murray rivalry ever can be? And has John Isner set himself up as the savior American tennis n...
Aug 25, 2013•1 hr 9 min
Episode 52A marks just the second time that Ben and Courtney have rushed into the NCR Studios for an "emergency episode," this time necessitated by the shockingly sudden retirement announcement of Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli Wednesday night in Mason, Ohio. We have all sorts of opinions and feelings on the announcement, and on the woman herself. Hear how we found out, surrounded by stunned French players, and also hear first-hand how Marion spoke about her career just two days before the st...
Aug 16, 2013•34 min
In Episode 52, Ben and Courtney broadcast from all over the tennis hotbed of Mason, Ohio. They begin in the parking lot of the tournament, opining on what it means for world class players to be here in this unlikeliest of host cities, as well as the Applebees that might as well be City Hall. They then look back across the Great Lakes at Canada, where Milos Raonic and Vasek Pospisil met in an unthinkable all-Canadian semifinal. What do we make of those two? And what do we make of Raonic's non-adm...
Aug 14, 2013•54 min
Episode 51 is a very big show. First, Ben and Courtney look at the two former U.S. Open champions who lifted trophies last weekend, and what we make of their pasts and futures. How does Sam Stosur only have four career titles? How does Juan Martin del Potro fit into the conversation for the upcoming U.S. Open and beyond? And what are the legacies of the fading Carlsbad event and the successful but segregated Washington event? Also, what makes Washington finalist Andrea Petkovic so friggin' aweso...
Aug 08, 2013•1 hr 16 min
It's Episode 50! For reaching this milestone, Ben and Courtney treat themselves (and you) to a new theme song! And then there's lots more! After a brief detour to Stanford, we throw ourselves headfirst into the big news of the week, which is the anti-doping violations of Viktor Troicki and Marin Cilic. First on Troicki, is he cheaty or just bratty? Then, what do the circumstances of Cilic's violation tell us about how much trust we should put in the anti-doping authorities? Does tennis have a st...
Aug 02, 2013•55 min
In Episode 49, Ben and Courtney take lots of questions about all sorts of topics in tennis, like what we make of Federer being put out to pasture on post-Wimbledon clay, and if he should look that gift cow in the mouth? Also what livestock would be best for the rest of the Big 4? And what to make of the barnyard fun that is World TeamTennis? And who has had the better career, Samantha Stosur or Caroline Wozniacki? And how would Ben fair on a tennis court against Colin Kaepernick, Alex Morgan, an...
Jul 26, 2013•1 hr 2 min
In a sweaty, summery Episode 48, Ben and Courtney beat the heat with the help of some surprising news and special guests. First, we discuss the recent spins of the coaching carousel, specifically how Maria Sharapova wound up working with Jimmy Connors, as well as what the solutions might be for struggling players ranging from Caroline Wozniacki to Ryan Harrison. We then discuss the unclear comeback of Martina Hingis, and then the certain comeback of Alisa Kleybanova, with the help of some words ...
Jul 18, 2013•1 hr 12 min
In this wondrous Wimbledon wrap episode, Ben and Courtney have lots of thoughts on the two new champions. First, Andy Murray: what does his win mean for Britain, and how does that reflect on Britain? And what did his match against Djokovic say about the state of the men's game? And how will he move forward as a favorite, no longer a lovable loser-type? Then, Marion Bartoli: how did that happen? And how will her win change her career, and even the tour as a whole? Because we are givers, and peopl...
Jul 12, 2013•1 hr 18 min
After Ben and Courtney last spoke to you on calamitous "Black Wednesday," not much had happened at Wimbledon, until midday Monday when the top of the women's draw went boom (boom). Sabine Lisicki's upset of Serena Williams was a huge surprise, but what does it mean for Serena? And what do Ben and Courtney make of Lisicki, as far as what lies behind that oft-cited smile? We also talk about the British media circus, especially as it surrounds Laura Robson, and what we make of the differences in th...
Jul 02, 2013•1 hr 2 min
Things got way too real at Wimbledon on Wednesday, so Ben and Courtney needed to rush to the microphone to come to grips with perhaps the craziest day of results and withdrawals in tennis history. After Rafael Nadal exited in the first round Monday, Wednesday saw the exits of Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Caroline Wozniacki, Marin Cilic, Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, John Isner and Lleyton Hewitt, all on one day. It was weird, surreal, and we have lots o...
Jun 27, 2013•48 min
In this episode live from the Wimbledon Village, Ben and Courtney have a whooooole lot to talk about on the eve of Wimbledon. First we discuss the controversial Serena Williams profile published this week by Rolling Stone, so we discuss the piece and her controversial comments on Steubenville. We then discuss Maria Sharapova's shocking takedown of Williams' personal life in her pre-tournament press conference, which was perhaps the most direct shot ever fired in this decade-long rivalry. We then...
Jun 23, 2013•1 hr 11 min
The grass season has started off with a bang, and so does this episode! In their respective press rooms in Halle and Birmingham, which are full of fun sudden ambient noises, Ben and Courtney discuss the start of the grass season. Is Queen's as stuffy and bothersomely bougey as its made out to be? (Yes). Is Halle a delightful place full of beer, sausage, pretzels, and tuba music? (Yes). How do you solve a problem like Gael Monfils? And what about the French Open that just finished? Whose win was ...
Jun 15, 2013•37 min
In this French Open Second Week special, Ben and Courtney catch up on all the happenings in the middle of the French Open, and look forward to the exciting last few matches of the tournament. We also find ourselves on the opposite sides of a few issues that arose. Should the tours do more to stop excessive grunting, after the chorus of shriek-denouncers again arose during the Sharapova-Azarenka semifinal, and are the complaints valid? Should a final set tiebreak be instituted to save the players...
Jun 07, 2013•1 hr 5 min
In this very special midway-through-the-French-Open episode, Ben and Courtney discuss the first week in Paris. The highs, and the lows. What was it like to watch Venus in orbit, even if she burned bright but not for long? What do we make of a section that featured Berdych, Gulbis, and Monfils but yielded Tommy Robredo? And are the Big 4 boring in press, like Gulbis said? We have lots of thoughts, especially about Nadal impassioned irritation over the schedule. We also take questions, such as "Wh...
Jun 01, 2013•57 min
In our 40th(!) episode, Ben and Courtney are all about the French Open, wearing berets, eating croissants, and being generally disdainful for no particular reason. We have the same picks to win the title, but we explore how things could possibly go wrong for both him (Rafael Nadal) and her (Serena Williams). Then we do a more thorough breakdown of our entire draws, which is very detailed and features syllables not often uttered on this show, like "Ma-ka-ro-va." Then we debate which first round m...
May 26, 2013•50 min
In this short-but-sweet episode, Ben checks in with Courtney, who is in Rome at the Italian Open this week. Does the tournament still have all its old charm? And what have we learned about the current young crop of players, especially on the men's side? What does this all mean, anyway, when it comes to Paris? And why does the Ukrainian Eurovision singer lady get carried onto the stage by a giant who then disappears? We may not have the answers to all the questions, but we try our best. As always...
May 19, 2013•29 min
In a very special Episode 38, Ben and Courtney discuss what was a huge weekend in tennis. Sloane went at Serena with her words in a revealing ESPN the Magazine interview that made us all afraid to ever unfollow anyone ever again. Then John Tomic (allegedly) went at his son's hitting partner with his head, in a bloodying Madrid throwdown. Then we talk about the Madrid tournament itself, and if it deserves its status as equal or even above the more established Italian Open in Rome. Last but very m...
May 08, 2013•1 hr 7 min
In this episode, Ben and Courtney wrap the second week on red clay, which saw Maria Sharapova drive off in a Porsche, and Rafael Nadal continue to drive a bulldozer over nearly any clay court opponent. We then discuss the coming out of NBA veteran Jason Collins, and the state of gays and lesbians in the tennis world. Why haven't more tennis players come out? We have thoughts. We then answer a question about our best/worst interviews, take a couple numbers, and lastly rant about the relentless pu...
May 01, 2013•1 hr 12 min
