No Challenges Remaining

Episode 98: Back to the Wells

10 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

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. Fir...

Episode 97: Just as Auspected = Novak & Serena

03 Feb 2015

Contributed by Lukas

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 G...

Episode 96: Aussie Aussie Open! Oi, Oi, Oi!

18 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

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 dr...

Episode 95: Get Up, Go Under

09 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Episode 94: Secret Santa Edition

27 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

On the NCR season finale (delayed by foreseen holidays and unforeseen technical difficulties), Ben and Courtney put a bow on the 2014 season. First, w...

Episode 93: The Princess and the Queen

09 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In peak off-season form, Ben and Courtney deliver another overflowing platter of chat charcuterie. What to make of the big coaching moves of Madison K...

Episode 92: Overstuffed With Thanks

30 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Stuffed with turkey and gratitude, Ben and Courtney stick a fork into the 2014 season by looking back at the Davis Cup final and the rest of this impr...

Episode 91: atp DOT wtf DOT com SLASH crybaby

18 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In the last time they'll see each other in 2014 (insert wistful emoticon trying to keep a brave face), Ben and Courtney sat down in London to discuss ...

Episode 90: Endings and a New Beginning

07 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

With a rollicking new intro to get the ball rolling, Ben and Courtney are in Europe and Asia respectively, and looking at how the years are wrapping u...

Episode 89: Of Great Walls of Fire and Rising Stars

13 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Reunited from opposite sides of the Great (Fire)wall of China, Ben and Courtney recap the happenings of the last several weeks. What has Courtney made...

Episode 88: Li Na, Behind the Wall

02 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In this nearly Ben-less episode from Beijing, Courtney and Chinese reporter Liu Renjie (aka Joe) discuss the impact of Li Na's retirement, and just ho...

Episode 87: Li Na Flies Away

21 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Upon reading Li Na's retirement announcement, Ben and Courtney stepped into the NCR Studios from opposite sides of the world to reflect on the legacy ...

Episode 86: U.S. Open is A-O.K.

13 Sep 2014

Contributed by Lukas

The U.S. Open is over, and it was a combination of yeah-that's-about-right and wait-what-really-is that possible?. We discuss the incredibly unexpecte...

Episode 85: U.S. Open for Business

25 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Live from New York, Ben and Courtney are very ready to kick off the last Grand Slam of the year! What do we make of the women's and men's draws? Who a...

Episode 84: The Greatest Roadtrip 2: Check Your Tire Pressure

20 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Ben and Courtney are back on the road driving across this great land, and discussing all the things in the rear view mirror of the past two weeks. Lik...

Episode 83: The Washington and Stanford Files

07 Aug 2014

Contributed by Lukas

After last week's craziness subsided, Ben and Courtney return to all the things you presumably like about this show, like talking about tennis! What d...

Episode 82: Copy? Over.

28 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

It's been one of the more intense weeks in recent memory in the world of tennis media, but Ben and Courtney are here to try their best, as always, to ...

Episode 81b: Question–Tell Me What You Think About…That

25 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Obviously there have been some extremely interesting developments in the 10 days since we recorded this all-questions episode, but your questions are ...

Episode 81a: Question--Tell Me What You Think About...This

18 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Without much urgent tennis to attend to, Ben and Courtney decided to dive into your pressing questions! We answered a ton, so this Episode 81 has been...

Episode 80: We Are So Wimble-Done

09 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

After nine weeks at sea, Ben and Courtney are very grateful to be back on their home couches, soaking up Home Sweet America. But first, there's the ma...

Episode 79: A Wimbledon Intermission

29 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

It's the middle Sunday of Wimbledon, and so Ben and Courtney sat down for a brief recap of the first act as they recharged their batteries for the sec...

Episode 78: Hungry for Wimbledon

22 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Ben and Courtney are ready to whet your appetite for Wimbledon! But when this episode was recorded, Courtney hadn't eaten much strawberries and cream ...

Episode 77: Get Off My Lawn

18 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

The grass season is mowing along quite nicely, so Ben and Courtney are here to catch you up on how everyone is looking going into Wimbledon, albeit be...

Episode 76: Finishing the French Open

11 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

 SPOILER: Our French Open wrap episode is amazing. Ben and Courtney talk about everything that happened over those 15 magical days in Paris, from Mar...

Episode 75: French Open--Allez We Go!

24 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Live from Paris, Ben and Courtney are super excited for the French Open! We break down the men's and women's draws, which left Maria Sharapova as a bi...

Episode 74: Where the Finalists Rome

17 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In this special Rome final preview episode taped Saturday afternoon, Ben and Courtney look ahead to the upcoming tilt between Serena Williams and Sara...

Episode 73: Sliding Señoritas

10 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Reunited in Rome on Saturday afternoon, Ben and Courtney hop back into the studio for a special look ahead to the women's final in Madrid, which will ...

Episode 72: Alize Cornet

08 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Ben and Courtney slide into the clay season with the graceee you'd expect of North Americans, so please forgive their lateness. What sort of clay land...

Episode 71: Andrea Petkovic (The Petkopalooza)

13 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Ben and Courtney are super, super excited about this episode, you guys. We did an interview for the show with Andrea Petkovic after her second round m...

Episode 70: Madison Keys (and Miami)

03 Apr 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 70 is a big, big, big one, and you'll like it quite a bit! Live from Charleston, Ben and Courtney discuss the tournament that was in Miami, an...

Episode 69: Been to the Desert

28 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 69 offers you delayed gratification! Live from the NCR West Studios, Ben and Courtney discuss the goings on of Indian Wells. What do we take o...

Episode 68: Upsets in the Desert

13 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Ben and Courtney come to you midway through Indian Wells, where many of the top seeds have already dried up and withered in the thin desert air. What ...

Episode 67: Indian Well To Do

06 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

For Episode 67, Ben and Courtney are live on location in beautiful Indian Wells, recording under the desert stars at a tournament which has exploded b...

Episode 66: Back From Russia, With Tennis

03 Mar 2014

Contributed by Lukas

We have so much to catch up on, you guys! Unable to find recording daylight through the thick iron curtain while Ben spent the last five weeks in Soch...

Episode 65: Aussie Ana Sinks Serena

19 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 65, Ben and Courtney return to the airwaves (internetwaves?) live from Melbourne once again, this time to sort through the rubble of anothe...

Episode 64: Australian Open/James McGee

13 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Episode 63: Greeting the Season with an Oi! Oi! Oi!

09 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Episode 62: Tarnishing the Holidays

09 Dec 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Episode 61: The Commentariat Remembers

22 Nov 2013

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 61, Ben and Courtney briefly discuss the wildly underwhelming Davis Cup final, then start diving into your questions! You wanted to know lo...

Episode 60: All The Fall

16 Nov 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Episode 59: An American in Paris...Alone.

12 Nov 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Ben and Courtney tried recording Episode 59 together, but the Internet connection between France and England proved prohibitively terrible, so Ben was...

Episode 58: Dmitry Tursunov

21 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 i...

Episode 57: Ain't Nothing But a Number One

06 Oct 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 surprisin...

Episode 56: Davis, Drouet, Doubles, and D'U-S-A

27 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 upco...

Episode 55b: U.S. Open and Shut (Part 2)

18 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 tho...

Episode 55a: U.S. Open and Shut (Part 1)

16 Sep 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 del...

Episode 54: It's Gonna Be a U.S. Open Preview!

28 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Episode 53: Jelena Jankovic and the Greatest Roadtrip in Sports

25 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Episode 52A: Au Revoir, Marion Bartoli

16 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

Episode 52: A Canadian Double

14 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Episode 51: Casting Summer in an American Desert

08 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 o...

Episode 50: A Milestone Episode You Can't Refuse

02 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 bri...

Episode 49: Questioners, Federers, Numbers, and Ikers

26 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 p...

Episode 48: Rennae Stubbs

18 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Episode 47: A Drought Dies, A Butterfly Is Born

12 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 f...

Episode 46: Wimbledon Goes Boom Boom

02 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Episode 45: Wimbledon, Bloody Wimbledon

27 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Episode 44: A Russian Sniper (and a Wimbledon Preview)

23 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 c...

Episode 43: Halle Atcha Boy and Girl

15 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 f...

Episode 42: Shortly Before La Fin

07 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 exc...

Episode 41: Demi-Paris! (French Open Halfway!)

01 Jun 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 li...

Episode 40: French Open Preview Spectacular

26 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

In our 40th(!) episode, Ben and Courtney are all about the French Open, wearing berets, eating croissants, and being generally disdainful for no parti...

Episode 39: A Slice of Rome

19 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Episode 38: Laura Robson

08 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Episode 37: Did I Stuttgart?

01 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 dri...

Episode 36: Money for Nothing

25 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of No Challenges Remaining, Ben and Courtney slide into the clay season with all the gracefulness you'd expect. We discuss Novak Djoko...

Episode 35: You've Got Questions

18 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

On this special all-questions Episode 35, Courtney and Ben try to answer all those tennis questions that have kept you up at night.  Like, for instan...

Episode 34: Charleston, Starring Jelena Jankovic

11 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 34, Ben and Courtney wrap up their time in Charleston, which was more Jankovic-filled than they ever could have been prepared for.  We sha...

Episode 33: Jessica Pegula

03 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 33, Ben and Courtney are live in Charleston, where the pralines (and subsequently their waistlines) overfloweth.  We catch up on the Miami...

Episode 32: Freddie Nielsen

26 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 32, Ben and Courtney look at Miami from afar, and are somewhat underwhelmed. Why has the tournament lacked spark thus far? We also discuss ...

Episode 31: Mallory Burdette

20 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 31, Ben and Courtney wrap the week that was in Indian Wells. How exactly did Rafael Nadal come back to the top so quickly, and what does it...

Episode 30: Andrea Petkovic

12 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

In this very special 30th episode, Ben and Courtney talk Indian Wells for a bit. But more significantly, we finally unlock the door to the NCR studio ...

Episode 29

06 Mar 2013

Contributed by Lukas

In this live, on-site, one-take episode recorded in beautiful Indian Wells, California, Ben and Courtney discuss the upcoming 2013 BNP Paribas Open, w...

Episode 28

26 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 28, Ben and Courtney discuss the week that was in what has been a surprisingly jam-packed February for tennis.  We also discuss the busy w...

Episode 27

19 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

It was a very busy week in tennis considering it's February, so Ben and Courtney had lots to talk about.  We discuss the changing dynamic atop the WT...

Episode 26

13 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Ben and Courtney talk about Rafael Nadal's return to the tour in Chile, and what to make of his loss in the final to Horacio Zeballos...

Episode 25

06 Feb 2013

Contributed by Lukas

On this long-awaited Episode 25, delayed due to oceans between us and technical difficulties, Ben and Courtney finally wrap the 2013 Australian Open. ...

Episode 24

08 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 24, Ben and Courtney discuss the first week of the 2013 season, in which the youngin's did good and lots of people threw in the towel.  We...

Episode 23

04 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 23, Ben and Courtney had to jump back in the booth to address Rafael Nadal's early withdrawal from the Australian Open, and whether or not ...

Episode 22b

18 Dec 2012

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 22b, Ben and Courtney continue to power through your winter questions like a snow plow through a blizzard--except with way more sarcasm and...

Episode 22a

11 Dec 2012

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 22a, your questions keep Courtney and Ben from starving in the harsh tennis winter, for which they are very appreciative.  Topics include ...

Episode 21

01 Dec 2012

Contributed by Lukas

In another post-season episode, Ben and Courtney answer lots of listener questions. You people help get us through this long, cold winter, and for tha...

Episode 20

17 Nov 2012

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 20, Courtney and Ben are back stateside and back on the mic(s).  We talk or ways through the WTFs in London, our ballots for Player of the...

Episode 19

10 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 19, Ben and Courtney stick with the Asian swing to discuss Victoria Azarenka's domination over Maria Sharapova on hardcourts, Kei Nishikori...

Episode 18

03 Oct 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Asia is still going, but if a seed falls in the middle of the night and almost no one is watching, does it make a sound? Ben and Courtney therefore ma...

Episode 17

28 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

When we last left our heroes Ben and Courtney's cup overfloweth with the U.S. Open.  The chalice has been considerably drier in Asia thus far, but ou...

Episode 16b

27 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

On Episode 16b, Ben and Courtney continue their recap of the U.S. Open and answer a flurry of questions from email and Twitter. They talk about the US...

Episode 16a

27 Sep 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Ben and Courtney were so excited to talk about the U.S. Open that their rambles ended up as two different episodes. Here’s Episode 16a, wherein Ben ...

Episode 15

23 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

“I have never cuddled with Rory McIlroy.” Guess which NCR’er said that. Ben and Courtney meet up in Mason, Ohio for the Western & Southern Op...

Episode 14

23 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

On Episode 14, Ben and Courtney breakdown what happened during the tennis event at the Olympics where Andy Murray and Serena Williams did some pretty ...

Episode 13

23 Aug 2012

Contributed by Lukas

We have neglected you. For that, we apologize. But to quote the Olympic motto: “Better late than never!”* Ben and Courtney were Stateside fo...

Episode 11

03 Jul 2012

Contributed by Lukas

After a long hiatus (we would apologize but it’s starting to sound like a broken record), Ben and Courtney return to discuss the happenings at Wimbl...

Episode 10

06 Jun 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Ok, let’s get this out of the way: the audio quality on Episode 10 is not great. But what it lacks in aural clarity it more than makes up for in con...

Episode 9

25 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Are you ready for the French Open? I assure you we are not. Ben and Courtney reconvene for a quick chat in advance of the French Open, and recap wh...

Episode 8b

17 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

When it rains, it pours. Here’s another bite-sized lost episode that Ben and Courtney recorded while they pretended that the NHL hockey playoffs ...

Episode 8a

17 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

We’re baaaaaaaaack. Much like the American men, Illness, injury, and fatigue kept Ben and Courtney silent for much of the European clay court sea...

Episode 7

05 Apr 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Ben and Courtney are enjoying the southern comforts of Charleston, South Carolina this week, at the 40th rendition of the Family Circle Cup. But befor...

Episode 6

30 Mar 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Ben and Courtney recap the action in Miami, where up until an hour ago, the women of the WTA offered the more compelling storyline (Rafael Nadal has s...

Episode 5

24 Mar 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Ben and Courtney go bi-coastal for Episode 5, as Ben headed to Miami for the Sony Ericsson Open and Courtney returned home to stare at a livescore win...

Episode 4a

15 Mar 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 4 was struck down by the crippling stomach virus that is spreading around the Coachella Valley, so Ben and Courtney, who are both in Indian We...