In another episode that was already released as a video overnight for our Patreon backers, Ben and Tumaini wrap up what was a very busy Saturday in the world of tennis, including three simultaneous finals.

We start with the WTA Finals in Riyadh, where Elena Rybakina won a very high-quality, high-level tournament that still looked small. How is the WTA going in Saudi Arabia after two years? Should they extend their stay there? Read Tumaini's column on the state of the WTA for more.

We then discuss the down-to-the-wire (down-to-the-netcord?) drama around the race to Turin, where Novak Djokovic made Lorenzo Musetti and Felix Auger-Aliassime sweat it out until the last possible moment before withdrawing from Turin. Was that fair or foul?

We also discuss the newly announced "Battle of the Sexes" between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios, which we both think is a bad idea (but for a different perspective, read Ben's interview with the organizer, Stuart Duguid).

And then for a fun finish, Tumaini waxes lyrical about his love for 1 Point Slam, which is returning in Melbourne next year in a much bigger form.

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!

battle of the sexes

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