After Maria Sharapova announced her retirement on Wednesday morning, Ben is joined by Tumaini Carayol of The Guardian for an emergency episode to discuss her career and its many highs, lows, and controversies.
After expressing some relief that she's stopped, we discuss what made Sharapova keep pushing on through the pain so long, and also what our early memories of her career were. We discuss her arrival as a star, and then the darkening of that when she tested positive for a newly-banned substance in early 2016, which complicated and muddled a career which was already likely on its downhill.
We also share some of our favorite memories of Maria, and what made her such a tremendously satisfying antagonist on the tour--particularly for Serena Williams, whom she was a distant second behind in the end.
If you'd like to support our show, we've launched an NCR Patreon where you can do just that! Check out our five tiers and see which might be right for you! And thank you to the many who have already given their support! (And thank you to G.O.A.T. backer J O'D!)
As always, thanks for liking us on Facebook (leave comments on the episode thread! Engage with other listeners!), following us on Twitter (discuss this episode with hashtag #NCR245a!), and subscribing/reviewing on iTunes on iTunes or whatever your podcasting app/platform of choice may be.
Episode 364: WTA Goes Saudi; Huge Premier Tour Changes on the Table
Episode 363: Sun Shines on Sinner, Collins, Swiatek and Alcaraz
Episode 362b: The State of the Union in Women's Tennis, Golden, Oldies
Episode 362a:A Halep Reversal and a Rublev Removal
Episode 361b: Sabalenka Smashes Australian Open Women's Field
Episode 361a: Sinner the Winner of Men's Australian Open
Episode 360: 2024 Australian Open Draw Show
Episode 359: ”Naomi Osaka” - Behind the Book
Episode 358: Women’s Tennis Turmoil Reviewed
Episode 357: The Year in Men’s Tennis (With Ricky Dimon)
Episode 356: Simona Halep and the Biggest Doping Conviction in Tennis History
Episode 355i: 2023 US Open Finals - Coco Gauff’s First; Djokovic’s 24th
Episode 355h: 2023 US Open - Semifinals Wrap, Finals Preview
Episode 355g: 2023 US Open Day 10 - Blair Henley, the New Voice of the US Open
Episode 355f: 2023 US Open Day 9 - Shelton Upsets Order, Beats Tiafoe
Episode 355e: 2023 US Open Day 7 - Ostapenko Ends Swiatek’s Reign
Episode 355d: 2023 US Open Day 4 - Going Back to Tennis
Episode 355c: 2023 US Open Day 3 - Is the US Open a Good Neighbor?
Episode 355b: 2023 US Open Day 2 - John Isner’s Legacy
Episode 355a: 2023 US Open Day 1 - Saudis, Sakkari, and Schedule Screeching
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Served with Andy Roddick
Tennis IQ Podcast
King of the Court
Tennis Channel Live Podcast
Baseline Intelligence with Jonathan Stokke