Ben and Tumaini reconvene for the first time back in their cold home hemisphere to discuss tennis happenings in February, which involve several complex stories.
First, we discussed the late-breaking news of Stefano Vukov receiving a one-year ban from the WTA, and the details that were reported by The Athletic about the WTA's reasons. Is this new proactive approach correct?
Second we discuss the retirement announcement of Simona Halep, whose legacy became much more complicated in the last few years. How should her career be remembered?
We then cover the many changes happening to the August schedule, including the elongated Canada and Cincinnati events, the US Open's Sunday start, and then mostly the U.S. Open's radical revamp of the mixed doubles event.
After some results chats and thank yous, we end with a discussion of Serena at the Super Bowl and our memories of her time with Drake.
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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1:03:17
Episode 393e: Australian Open Finals: Keys to Victory; Sinner Winner
Ben and Tumaini recorded one last show from this lovely trip to Melbourne, discussing the two singles finals.
We start with the triumphant, tour-de-force title run by Madison Keys, who was the best version of herself in many ways as she tore through a historically tough draw to win her first major after years of struggling with expectations. What made Keys so impressive? There are many correct answers.
Then on the men's side, we discuss Jannik Sinner's demolition of Alexander Zverev, not facing a break point in the entire final, and where Sinner goes from here. We also discuss the protestor who disrupted the trophy ceremony by shouting support for Zverev's ex-girlfriends/accusers (an incident Ben wrote about at Bounces).
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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59:25
Episode 393d: Australian Open Semifinals Into Finals
Ben and Tumaini are together after four singles semifinals are in the books, one of which was an epic and one of which was a short story.
We start with the women, where Aryna Sabalenka played perhaps her best match of the tournament so far to beat Paula Badosa, booking a spot in the final against Madison Keys, who played perhaps the best match of her career to beat Iga Swiatek in the other semifinal. (Also, if you're interested solely in the women, FYI we circle back to talk more about Iga Swiatek at the very end of the show.)
We then move onto the men, where Jannik Sinner was very solid against Ben Shelton, and Novak Djokovic stopped after just a set, putting Alexander Zverev into the final abruptly and drawing boos.
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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46:26
Episode 393c: Australian Open QFs Into SFs
Ben and Tumaini are back after another round is in the books at this Australian Open, looking back at the quarterfinals and setting up the semifinal slate.
We start with the women, where Coco Gauff suffered a surprising unraveling at the hands of experienced thread-puller Paula Badosa. Badosa will play Aryna Sabalenka, while Madison Keys will face Iga Swiatek in the other semifinal.
On the men's side, Novak Djokovic won a thriller against Carlos Alcaraz to book his spot in the semifinal, and Ben Shelton sounded off about the on-court interviews after booking a spot in the other semifinal.
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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41:05
Episode 393b: Australian Open Midway
Ben and Tumaini are checking back in midway through this Australian Open, just as the quarterfinals are about to begin.
We break down the women's stories first, including check-ins on top contenders Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek. We also discuss all the fuss over Danielle Collins giving it back to a hostile crowd, Madison Keys' resurgence, and Elina Svitolina's transformation.
On the men's side, we discuss the upcoming showdown between Djokovic and Alcaraz, why Djokovic's boycott of Channel Nine was justified, and Jannik Sinner struggling in the heat.
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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