Episodes

  • Courtney's Comeback
    Aug 15 2025

    Reuniting where they first met 15 years ago, Ben is delighted to have Courtney back on NCR once more for this episode, catching up on what's happened for her this year and what she currently has in the works as she rejoined the tour this month.

    We discuss the end of Courtney's time at the WTA, what she's been doing in the months since, and how she got started with the new project she's been working on: a revival or reinvention of Forty Deuce.

    Related to what used to be and what is, we also talk a lot about how the media landscapes in which we operate have shifted since we first met, what's been lost over time, and what we hope can be rebuilt.

    And speaking of rebuilding, we also marvel at the radically renovated Cincinnati Open, which pulled off a stunning transformation since last year.

    Thank you for listening! Our Patreon is back up and running to ensure NCR keeps going and stays ad-free, and we hope you can join in supporting NCR! And we especially thank our GOAT backers: Pam Shriver and J. O'D.

    And please check out Ben's new writing home, Bounces! And Courtney's work at Forty Deuce!

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    55 mins
  • Shining Stars—and Decay—in DC (With Ava Wallace)
    Jul 27 2025

    Ben is joined by Ava Wallace of The Washington Post to discuss their hometown tournament in DC, and how this place still manages to charm and shine as a uniquely accessible and diverse place on tour despite the challenges of a rusting stadium.

    We discuss the big players this week as well, including the impressive comeback of Venus Williams, local hope Hailey Baptiste, and top American men Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, and Taylor Fritz.

    Thank you for listening! Our Patreon is back up and running to ensure NCR keeps going and stays ad-free, and we hope you can join in supporting NCR! And we especially thank our GOAT backers: Pam Shriver and J. O'D.

    And please check out Ben's new writing home, Bounces! And Ava's work at The Washington Post!

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    32 mins
  • Wimbledon Finals: Swiatek Bakes Anew; Sinner-Alcaraz's Latest Chapter (With Giri Nathan)
    Jul 17 2025

    Ben and Tumaini are joined for their Wimbledon finals show by Giri Nathan, who literally wrote the book on the Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry that featured its latest chapter in the Wimbledon final.

    Before discussing Sinner and Alcaraz and their continuing takeover—and Sinner finally getting another win in his column—we start with the women's final, in which Iga Swiatek blanked Amanda Anisimova 6-0, 6-0. What do we make of Swiatek's dominance?

    Also, which of Swiatek, Alcaraz, and Sinner will complete their Career Slam first?

    We also chat about the widely-discussed wildcard misadventure of Bill Ackman in Newport, which Giri wrote about at Defector.

    Thank you for listening! Our Patreon is back up and running to ensure NCR keeps going and stays ad-free, and we hope you can join in supporting NCR! And we especially thank our GOAT backers: Pam Shriver and J. O'D.

    And please check out Ben's new writing home, Bounces! And Tumaini's work at The Guardian! And buy Giri's book!!

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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Big Finals Setting Up at Wimbledon 2025
    Jul 10 2025

    Ben and Tumaini, on the mic once more together, recap the business end of Wimbledon, where one final is already set on the women's side and two blockbuster semifinals are set for the men.

    We start with the women's side, on which Amanda Anisimova is making her first major final after beating Aryna Sabalenka (who had herself a much more composed press conference this time). We then discuss, to Tumaini's delight, how he was right and Ben was wrong about Swiatek's grass possibilities this season.

    We then turn to the men, where Taylor (Harry) Fritz is going to face Carlos Alcaraz (Garfia) and where there will be a Sinner-Djokovic rematch. Who should be the favorite in that second semifinal, and are injuries a concern?

    Thank you for listening! Our Patreon is back up and running to ensure NCR keeps going and stays ad-free, and we hope you can join in supporting NCR! And we especially thank our GOAT backers: Pam Shriver and J. O'D.

    And please check out Ben's new writing home, Bounces! And Tumaini's work at The Guardian!

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    42 mins
  • Dimitrov's Disaster (and Other Less Bleak Wimbledon Outlooks)
    Jul 7 2025

    Ben is joined for the final time during this Wimbledon by Ricky Dimon, to discuss the fourth round matches that were played and how the quarterfinals and beyond are shaping up.

    We start with the bleakest moment in recent tennis memory, when Grigor Dimitrov was up two sets to none on an injured Jannik Sinner, only to suffer his own sudden acute pectoral injury and be forced to retire mid-match for the fifth major tournament in a row.

    We then discuss Sinner's not-great health outlook as well, and then shift to the rest of the happenings in the middle round of Wimbledon, including the wildness of the utter failure of automated electronic line calling on Centre Court during Pavlyuchenkova-Kartal.

    Thank you for listening! Our Patreon is back up and running to ensure NCR keeps going and stays ad-free, and we hope you can join in supporting NCR! And we especially thank our GOAT backers: Pam Shriver and J. O'D.

    And please check out Ben's new writing home, Bounces! And Ricky's writing at TennGrand!

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    31 mins
  • Wimbledon at the Halfway Point
    Jul 5 2025

    Ben is back with Ricky Dimon to discuss a third round at Wimbledon that was much less tumultuous than the previous two rounds, and the second week outlook for the tournament that it set up.

    On the women's side, is it Sabalenka or the field? And is the men's side still looking like likely chalk of Sinner-Djokovic and Fritz-Alcaraz semifinals?

    Thank you for listening! Our Patreon is back up and running to ensure NCR keeps going and stays ad-free, and we hope you can join in supporting NCR! And we especially thank our GOAT backers: Pam Shriver and J. O'D.

    And please check out Ben's new writing home, Bounces! And Ricky's writing at TennGrand!

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    37 mins
  • Draper, Paolini Out as Wimbledon Upsets Continue
    Jul 3 2025

    Ben is joined once more by Ricky Dimon to catch up on the further upsets in the second round of Wimbledon after the carnage in the opening round, and to set up third round clashes.

    We start with Jack Draper, the local hope who was bundled out by 2017 runner-up Marin Cilic. We then wrap up the rest of the men, including exits for Americans Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul, and look for what could be in store the rest of the way if upsets subside.

    We then turn to the women, who lost last year's finalist Jasmine Paolini, but who have a few real tasty third rounds now on the cards, including Sabalenka-Raducanu, Andreeva-Baptiste, and Krejcikova-Navarro.

    Thank you for listening! Our Patreon is back up and running to ensure NCR keeps going and stays ad-free, and we hope you can join in supporting NCR! And we especially thank our GOAT backers: Pam Shriver and J. O'D.

    And please check out Ben's new writing home, Bounces! And Ricky's writing at TennGrand!

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    27 mins
  • Upsets Abound in 2025 Wimbledon First Round
    Jul 1 2025

    After an unexpectedly tumultuous two days at Wimbledon, Ben is joined by Ricky Dimon to discuss the record number of upsets from the first round of Wimbledon, in which 23 seeds lost their first match, including some big names.

    Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and more were all sent packing in various ways, and we discuss the short and long term fallouts.

    Thank you for listening! Our Patreon is back up and running to ensure NCR keeps going and stays ad-free, and we hope you can join in supporting NCR! And we especially thank our GOAT backers: Pam Shriver and J. O'D.

    And please check out Ben's new writing home, Bounces! And Ricky's writing at TennGrand!

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    29 mins