No Challenges Remaining

Ben is joined by Ricky Dimon, post-marathon, to talk about another grueling yet less rewarding slog: the 2026 season of men's tennis.

After some general thoughts and harsh grades, we discuss this strange year which hinged almost entirely on Jannik Sinner, and came fully unhinged when Sinner fell off the board midway through the season. We also discuss how much credit Zverev deserves for his season, and if he was the "Player of the Year" or not, despite finishing at #1.

We also cover some recent events, including the state of the race to Turin, Medvedev's default in Beijing, and the future of men's doubles.

Thank you for listening! You can read Ben's work at Bounces and Tumaini's atThe Guardian. 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.

Thanks for sending in all of your questions for our October mailbag! Y'all wanted to tackle some big, broad topics, and so we did our best to do those justice.

First, Ben and Tumaini catch up on some rare respective R&R at home, which for Tumaini included covering Davis Cup and Laver Cup events in London--and Tumaini explaining what part of Laver Cup made him feel like he was going crazy.

We then get into the mailbag, which includes discussion of what changes we think tennis most needs and which are most possible, and also doubles reform discussion.

We then get into Jannik Sinner's lengthy absence and how the lack of information around it has caused speculation to inevitably creep into the void.

We then get into monotony and homogeneity in ATP playing styles, and then turn to the topic which was the center of most questions and comments: the current state of the WTA, its apparent financial issues, and how much lucrative prize money might be to blame. (Ben cites this clip, for reference.)

Lastly, a brief elegy for https://tennis.com/.

Ben and Tumaini are together in person for the last time this year to talk about the U.S. Open finals and their champions.

We start with the men's final, in which Ben Shelton could not overcome the serve and steadiness of Alexander Zverev (and his lengthy, erratic ball-bouncing). Do Zverev's two Slam wins meaningfully shift the landscape of men's tennis, or does this all feel like an intermission?

We then turn to the women, where Elena Rybakina produced a far more emphatic championship performance, beating Aryna Sabalenka (and sending her crashing out early and often) and ascending to the No. 1 post on the WTA Tour. How will Rybakina wear the crown going forward?

It's been a long U.S. Open, and we thank you for being there with us throughout it.

Thank you for listening! You can read Ben's work at Bounces and Tumaini's atThe Guardian. 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 recording out on Court 6, where a safari of intrepid influencers are trespassing and posing to their hearts' contents as we break down the semifinals on the men's and women's side.

In the all-American semifinal, Ben Shelton bested Frances Tiafoe, with big serving and greatly improved returning. What are his chances of reversing a rough head-to-head against Zverev in the final?

And on the women's side, it'll be a second Rybakina-Sabalenka this final, as both beat Americans to book their spots.

Thank you for listening! You can read Ben's work at Bounces and Tumaini's atThe Guardian. 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 tired but wired to talk about the U.S. Open quarterfinals, particularly Tuesday's slate which turned into the longest day in U.S. Open history.

We discuss Sabalenka d. Noskova, Tiafoe d. Michelsen, and Shelton d. Alcaraz particularly, and also then the issue around late finishes and how it should or shouldn't trigger a reckoning abut best-of-five. (We don't agree on this!)

Thank you for listening! You can read Ben's work at Bounces and Tumaini's atThe Guardian. 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 return to Grandstand to record this episode shortly after show favorite Botic van de Zandschulp (known here as Bob van de Slap) wins through to the U.S. Open quarterfinals with a five-set comeback win over Arthur Gea.

We talk about Naomi Osaka's loss and the stubborn 5.5 year ceiling in Grand Slam tennis (more on that on Bounces soon), plus more on Zheng Qinwen, Elena Rybakina, and the Taiwanese feud of families.

Thank you for listening! You can read Ben's work at Bounces and Tumaini's atThe Guardian. 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 on Court 5, this time, watching Ben Shelton practice returns as they talk about the middle stages of the U.S. Open, including third and fourth round matches.

We discuss topics including Carlos Alcaraz leveling up, tough losses for Taylor Fritz and Madison Keys, big wins for Frances Tiafoe and Linda Noskova, the great Jovic-Eala match, Serena fleeing the scene after her tough loss and not doing press, and the disrepair of the U.S. Open's media areas.

Thank you for listening! You can read Ben's work at Bounces and Tumaini's atThe Guardian. 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, this time as they watch the zenlike experience of powerwashing the Grandstand court.

We cover various second round topics, including Fran Jones' remarkable story, Aryna Sabalenka snapping at a reporter, ITIA investigating the DraftKings party, Gael Monfils' seeking an office job, Felix Auger-Aliassime's benefit of the doubt, Rafael Jodar's inexperience, Ben's bucket list schedule-making story, and world feed weirdness.

We then, like everyone else, weigh into "influencer" discourse, which has been one of many hot topics at this tournament as ring lights and narcissism crowd the grounds. Who is and isn't an "influencer", anyhow? Is there space or value for them in tennis?

Thank you for listening! You can read Ben's work at Bounces and Tumaini's atThe Guardian. 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 in the media garden outside of Ashe to discuss the nearly completed first round of the U.S. Open, in which Carlos Alcaraz made an impressive comeback and Novak Djokovic suffered a slow and painful exit.

We also discuss Arthur Fils' surprise loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas, a nice win by Gael Monfils, Elena Rybakina playing through pain, and Naomi Osaka's latest fashion statement.

We also discuss the U.S. Open's "trashy" deal with Kalshi, and Mary Carillo's amazing induction speech in Newport.

Thank you for listening! You can read Ben's work at Bounces and Tumaini's atThe Guardian. 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 New York, ready to break down the U.S. Open men's and women's draws, and all the stories therein.

We discuss Sabalenka's struggles, Rybakina's chance at the No. 1 ranking, Gauff's resurgence, Noskova's (lack of) motivation, and more.

On the men's side, we discuss Djokovic's great chances, what to expect from Alcaraz, Djokovic's great chances, both Tiafoe and Fils coming off their historic Cincinnati final, and more.

We also talk a bit about the mixed doubles results, and our feelings about Nick Kyrgios after his positive cocaine test.

Thank you for listening! You can read Ben's work at Bounces and Tumaini's atThe Guardian. 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 the second (and longer) part of their recording session this week, Ben and Tumaini fanned out into a range of recent events topics from the last month of tennis, catching up on what's been both a busy yet also quiet stretch of the season.

We start with the uncertainties around Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz for New York, after both missed both Canada and Cincinnati. We also discuss Alcaraz's cornrows (remember those?).

Of players who did play up north, we discuss champs Ben Shelton and Iga Swiatek. We also catch up on rising stars Alex Eala and Rafael Jodar, both of whom are inspiring strong reactions.

We also cover the Marketa Vondrousova doping ban decision in full, and also the WTA's decision to start doing genetic sex tests on its players, news first broken on Bounces.

Tumaini then closes the show by describing his in-person experience going to see Ms. Lauryn Hill.

Thank you for listening! You can read Ben's work at Bounces and Tumaini's atThe Guardian. 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.

Catching up after a month away from the mic, Ben and Tumaini discuss events and characters of the past month, catching up with recent events in Cincinnati.

And we had so much to say about the present states of the defining players of our tennis lives, Venus and Serena Williams, that we decided to make this lengthy first topic of discussion into a standalone episode.

Venus and Serena brought us both into tennis; how should these legends leave the sport, now that it's become increasingly clear that their time as competitive players has run out?

More on everything else—Canada withdrawals, Shelton, Swiatek, Vondrousova, Eala, Jodar, genetic testing, Lauryn Hill—soon, but we clearly had a lot to say about the Williams Sisters in what looks like their closing chapter.

Thank you for listening! You can read Ben's work at Bounces and Tumaini's atThe Guardian. 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 their last Court 15 recording of the fortnight, Ben and Tumaini talk about the women's and men's finals at Wimbledon, in which sleeper pick Linda Noskova recovered from what could've been a nightmare hiccup to win the all-Czech women's final over Karolina Muchova, and Jannik Sinner won a serving contest against Alexander Zverev.

We discuss getting to know Noskova (Knowskova?) and where she goes from here, and how important this title was for Jannik Sinner--and how important Montreal should be for him.

Thank you for listening! You can read Ben's work at Bounces and Tumaini's atThe Guardian. 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 a rare before-sunset recording, Ben and Tumaini talk about the women's semifinals at Wimbledon, in which sleeper pick Linda Noskova rolled and Coco Gauff lost a heartbreaker against Karolina Muchova after having a match point and what might've been an easy forehand.

We preview the all-Czech women's final, and then transition to the men, who are still yet to play their semifinals.

We discuss Arthur Fery's fairytale run, his small height, wealthy background, and dual citizenship. Does he have a shot against Zverev? Maybe! We then discuss how the Sinner-Djokovic semifinal might be different this time compared to the last time in Melbourne.

Thank you for listening! You can read Ben's work at Bounces and Tumaini's atThe Guardian. 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.

After being delayed by a day by a Wimbledon Fery-tale, Ben and Tumaini returned to Court 15 at Wimbledon once more to cover the third round and the top half quarterfinals, which concluded with Novak Djokovic's epic win over Felix Auger-Aliassime in more than five hours.

We discuss the men, including those guys, Arthur Fery, Taylor Fritz, and more. We break for the Djokovic and Auger-Aliassime press conferences.

We then discuss the women, particularly sleeper pick Linda Noskova, the impressive run of Coco Gauff, and Naomi Osaka's incredible win over Aryna Sabalenka, which was followed by a loss to a very sharp Karolina Muchova in the quarterfinals.

Thank you for listening! You can read Ben's work at Bounces and Tumaini's atThe Guardian. 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 returned to Court 15 at Wimbledon once more to catch up on the third round, and a behind-the-scenes debate that's generated a lot of conversation: the ATP's proposals to reduce the footprint of doubles.

We discuss the business realities and the arguments that doubles players and fans are fielding to push back in this uphill battle, given recent realities of the tour.

We then dive into the Wimbledon results, which means revisiting Shintaro Mochizuki and Grigor Dimitrov, plus Roman Safiullin and Arthur Fery.

We then go to the women, where the big result was Alex Eala knocking out defending champion Iga Swiatek. We also discuss Ashlyn Krueger, Naomi Osaka, and more.

Thank you for listening! You can read Ben's work at Bounces and Tumaini's atThe Guardian. 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 went back to their spot on Court 15 at Wimbledon to chat about the second round action, which was without any massive shocks but still entertained and intrigued.

We start with the men and the great Shintaro Mochizuki, who is into the third round of a Slam for the first time. We then cover Djokovic crushing Tsitsipas, the big win by Grigor Dimitrov (whose presser is an intermission in this episode), as well as the rest of the fellas.

We then move to the women, including Tumaini's story from Jelena Ostapenko about trying to confront burglars, Naomi Osaka's grass comfort, Krejcikova d. Andreeva, Alex Eala readying to face Iga Swiatek, and the doubts around doubles for Serena.

Thank you for listening! You can read Ben's work at Bounces and Tumaini's atThe Guardian. 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 found a spot on Court 15 at Wimbledon to chat about the first round action at the Championships, which reached its climax with Serena Williams' highly anticipated return to singles.

We talk about what looked great from Serena, what didn't, and what it was like to witness and experience her again after all these years, even if it was just one match because of how well Maya Joint played.

We also discussed Jannik Sinner's uninspiring five-set start, Ben Shelton's loss, and the massive struggles for the Brits here, including the injuries for both Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu.

Thank you for listening! You can read Ben's work at Bounces and Tumaini's atThe Guardian. 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 once more, this time at Wimbledon, where there's lots of stories in both draws, including Serena Williams' return to singles.

We start, though, with the news of 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova getting a four-year ban for refusing a drug test late last year. What was she thinking? Why was this ITIA decision inevitable?

We then jump into the draws, starting with the women where Sabalenka is the top seed, Pegula is Ben's pick, and Serena has taken up lots of room in the Wimagination this year.

We then switch to the men, and ask the question: even after the shocking French Open collapse, is it still Jannik Sinner vs. the Field?

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 no longer together in Paris, but catch up on the finish in France as well as the event that had Tumaini rushing back to London: Serena Williams' return to professional tennis.

We start with Serena's comeback with Tumaini's perspective from on the ground at Queen's Club: how did she look after four years away? What's it like being back in her orbit? Where does she go from here?

We then look back at the French Open, starting with the women where Mirra Andreeva consolidated years of teen phenom hype and Maja Chwalinska was one of the most shocking Slam finalists ever.

We also discuss the discussion around the men's champion, Alexander Zverev, about whom TV broadcasters badly failed their audiences.

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.