No Challenges Remaining

Ben and Tumaini keep everyone's favorite annual episode title going strong with a look at the draws for the 2026 French Open, where Jannik Sinner is a prohibitive favorite against an uninspiring men's field and the women's side seems far more up for grabs.

Can anyone stop Sinner? If so, whom? And who could even make it out of the bottom half?

On the women's side, we discuss Sabalenka, Swiatek, and a recent video involving Leylah Fernandez and her coach.

We also discuss the media "protest" that players staged during media days, with varying degrees of successful stagecraft.

Then to wrap up, we chat about our dear departed friend Howard Fendrich, the longtime AP tennis reporter who passed away this week. (You can read Ben's tribute to Howard here.)

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.

Ben and Tumaini get back together at their kitchen table in Paris, discussing events of Rome, where the biggest story was Jannik Sinner making ATP history.

We discuss the enormity of Jannik Sinner having won all nine Masters 1000 events, and how the ATP's term for it is deeply suboptimal. It's not the most suspenseful tour right now, but it's impressive.

We also discuss the far more unpredictable women's field, including champion Elina Svitolina as well as Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Sorana Cirstea, and more.

We also discuss boycott talk (we don't think it's plausible but it's still notable), and the Italian Federation's stated goal of making Rome into the official "Fifth Slam."

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.

Ben called in Tumaini (who found a quiet corridor in Madrid) to record an emergency episode on the news of Carlos Alcaraz missing Rome and Roland Garros next month due to a concerning wrist injury.

We usually wouldn't do an emergency episode about a withdrawal, but the competitive relevance of Alcaraz to men's tennis is hard to overstate--he's defending champion of both events--and so we dig into what it means for both for Alcaraz himself and his future, as well as the competitive landscape of the tour without him. 

Also, we briefly discuss the abrupt and unforeseen exit of WTA CEO Portia Archer this week, after only about a year and a half in the job. 

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.

In an episode that came out on video overnight for our Patreon backers, Ben and Tumaini discuss April events in tennis so far, including the Monte Carlo Masters from which Tumaini just returned.

Has Jannik Sinner meaningfully pulled ahead of Carlos Alcaraz right now? And have they pulled even further from the pack? Plus, Valentin Vacherot's unlikely staying power.

On the women's side, we cover the uncertainty around where the WTA Finals is going next (deja vu there) as well as Iga Swiatek's new coaching hire and her time on court with Rafa, and Coco Gauff showing vulnerability on social media.

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.

Ben and Tumaini are back together in Miami, recording during the lengthy rain delay before the men's final--and then a bit afterward--about the happenings on and off court at the Miami Open.

Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner both continued their dominances, completing parallel Sunshine Double sweeps in style.

On the women's side, we also discuss Iga Swiatek's decision to part with coach Wim Fissette, and awkward moments in one of Coco Gauff's press conferences.

On the men's side, we discuss Arthur Fils' remarkably robust comeback from injury.

We also discuss the effort--in the name of the top 10 players--for more monetary support from the majors, as well as parting thoughts on the very unusual Miami Open venue.

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.