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.
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Episode 251b: NCR Book Club Author Chat - Jon Wertheim
Episode 251a: NCR Book Club - "Venus Envy" by Jon Wertheim
Episode 250: Courtsiding with Brad Hutchins
Episode 249b: What the French?! (Mini Episode)
Episode 249: Closing For Coronavirus, With Dr. Chris Worsham
Episode 248: Coronavirus Shuts Down Tennis
Episode 247: Communicating on Tour, With Sally Bradfield
Episode 246: Louisa Thomas on Writing About Tennis
Episode 245: The Path to WTA Coaching (with Tom Hill)
Episode 244: A Picture Perfect Tour, with Jimmie
Episode 243g: Australian Open - Novak Djokovic Eight 'Em Up
Episode 243f: Australian Open - Sofia Kenin's American Dream Come True
Episode 243e: Australian Open - Previewing the Finals
Episode 243d: Australian Open - Serena, Wang, Osaka & Gauff Stun Week 1
Episode 243c: Australian Open - Wozniacki & Jabeur, with Freddie & Reem
Episode 243b: Australian Open - Clearing the Air
Episode 243a: Australian Open - Where There's Smoke...
Episode 242: Australian Open 2020 Draw Preview
Episode 241: Battles in Brisbane; Serena Wins a Title
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