Episodes

  • Australian Open: Fourth Round into Quarterfinals
    Jan 26 2026

    The first four rounds of the Australian Open featured historically few upsets--the Top 6 seeds are all still in for both the men and women—and so Ben and Tumaini had lots of big stars to talk about heading into the business end of this tournament.

    We start with the women: Sabalenka-Jovic, Gauff-Svitolina, Pegula-Anisimova, and Rybakina-Swiatek.

    And then on the men's side, there's Alcaraz-de Minaur, Zverev-Tien (after Tien demolished Medvedev), Musetti-Djokovic, and Shelton-Sinner.

    Lastly, Tumaini talks about his cousin being very famous now.

    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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    47 mins
  • Australian Open: Round 3 Recap and Second Week Preview
    Jan 24 2026

    A relatively drama-lite Australian Open third round sets up a blockbuster fourth round in both draws, and Ben and Tumaini were delighted to look back and look ahead as the year's first major rounds into the second week.

    We look ahead to the intrigues of matches like Alcaraz-Paul, Bublik-de Minaur, Medvedev-Tien(!!!), Musetti-Fritz, Mensik-Djokovic, Sabalenka-Mboko, Gauff-Muchova, and Pegula-Keys, as well as how all of our second week participants got there.

    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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    55 mins
  • Australian Open Round 2: Stan, Osaka-Cirstea, Bartunkova, and More
    Jan 22 2026

    It wasn't the newsiest Round 2 at this Australian Open until near the end, and once all the drama had died down Ben and Tumaini got together to discuss the sudden moments at the finish line.

    While Belinda Bencic exited to talented Czech teen Nikola Bartunkova, Naomi Osaka stayed in the talk with a testy finish against Sorana Cirstea.

    On the men's side, Stan Wawrinka showed his staying power, winning yet another long match in his long career.

    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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    27 mins
  • Australian Open Round 1 - Eala, Osaka, Oliynykova, Tiafoe, and More
    Jan 20 2026

    With the first round of the Australian Open main draw finally complete, Ben and Tumaini got together to discuss some of the biggest moments and stories.

    We discussed the women first, starting with Naomi Osaka's big fashion moment (and her interview with Ben), the tournament's failure to supply seats to meet the massive crowd demand for Alexandra Eala, the impressions Oleksandra Oliynykova made on court and in the press room, plus the veterans Venus Williams and Karolina Pliskova.

    On the men's side, we discussed Frances Tiafoe's turnaround, as well as a bit on Taylor Fritz, Novak Djokovic, Michael Zheng, and Italian incontinence.

    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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    57 mins
  • The One Point Slam Delivers Again
    Jan 14 2026

    Back together in Melbourne for one of their favorite occasions in tennis, Ben and Tumaini jumped on the chance to record a show about the second edition of their beloved "1 Point Slam," the pre-Australian Open event which they fell in love with a year ago.

    We discuss this year's bigger and--often--better event, the strong play by the WTA players in particular, and the surprise finalists.

    What makes this event so good? And what could be even better?

    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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    54 mins
  • New Tennis Year, New Tennis News
    Jan 6 2026

    In an episode that was already released as a video yesterday for our Patreon backers, Ben and Tumaini kick off Season 15(!) of No Challenges Remaining from opposite sides of the globe.

    Tumaini talks about the start to the season so far in far-flung Perth, which includes injury issues plaguing Brits at the United Cup.

    We then discuss some of the biggest headlines from recent weeks: the Battle of the Sexes debacle, the Alcaraz-Ferrero split, and the news that Serena Williams has reentered the tennis testing pool.

    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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    53 mins
  • Mary Carillo, a Hall of Fame Talker
    Dec 4 2025

    After coming out last week in video for on the NCR Patreon and Bounces, it's a delight to bring listeners Ben's chat with Mary Carillo on the occasion of her getting voted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

    Ben and Mary discuss Mary's trademark honesty, her committed avoidance of social media, and much more.

    Mary's a longtime NCR favorite, and we are very happy for her and delighted to have her Newport-bound.

    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!

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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Riyadh and Rybakina, ATP Finish Line Drama, and Battle of the Sexes Concerns
    Nov 9 2025

    In another episode that was already released as a video overnight for our Patreon backers, Ben and Tumaini wrap up what was a very busy Saturday in the world of tennis, including three simultaneous finals.

    We start with the WTA Finals in Riyadh, where Elena Rybakina won a very high-quality, high-level tournament that still looked small. How is the WTA going in Saudi Arabia after two years? Should they extend their stay there? Read Tumaini's column on the state of the WTA for more.

    We then discuss the down-to-the-wire (down-to-the-netcord?) drama around the race to Turin, where Novak Djokovic made Lorenzo Musetti and Felix Auger-Aliassime sweat it out until the last possible moment before withdrawing from Turin. Was that fair or foul?

    We also discuss the newly announced "Battle of the Sexes" between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios, which we both think is a bad idea (but for a different perspective, read Ben's interview with the organizer, Stuart Duguid).

    And then for a fun finish, Tumaini waxes lyrical about his love for 1 Point Slam, which is returning in Melbourne next year in a much bigger form.

    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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    1 hr and 30 mins