25 | AO Recap, Tennis Calendar & Cheesy Apple Pie

Summary

The Player’s Box | Episode 25: AO Recap, Tennis Calendar & Cheesy Apple Pie

Date: February 3, 2026
Hosts: Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, Jennifer Brady, Desirae Krawczyk

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Episode Overview

This episode is a lively post-Australian Open debrief where the hosts recount everything from on-court action and behind-the-scenes mishaps to tennis calendar talk and a hilariously cringe-worthy food bet. The mood is light, refreshingly candid, and loaded with stories about life as top pros—including unwinding routines, memorable fan interactions, and (of course) the infamous "cheesy apple pie" wager. The episode also digs into evolving tennis traditions, privacy concerns at tournaments, and the unfiltered reality of the tennis travel grind.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Unforced Errors and Winners of the Week

(00:40 – 08:07)

• Cheesy Apple Pie Bet (00:40)
  Madison Keys finally pays up on a lost bet to Jess Pegula by eating apple pie with cheese—live on the pod.

  • Madison’s Reaction:
    "It kind of tastes like if you accidentally took a bite of Mac and cheese and apple pie at Thanksgiving at the same time. And I don’t like that." (01:42)
  • The cheese had gotten cold and melty due to technical difficulties, only making things more disgusting.
  • Memorable Quote:
    "A bet is a bet, and I pay up. That’s definitely my unforced error, and I would like to move on from this tough moment in my life." – Madison (03:34)

• Jenny Brady’s Comeback & Winner of the Week
  Jenny celebrates reaching the semifinals after two years away:

  • "My winner of the week is finally playing a tournament after 848 days." (05:00)

• Travel Fails
  Jessica Pegula details a laugh-out-loud travel mishap—mixing up her seat and gate numbers, rage-texting her agent, and ultimately walking sheepishly through the plane:

  • "I started low key rage texting my agent because I was like, ‘I could have sworn I was meant [for business]. What happened?’...I was actually 4A, and I was like, ‘Oh my god.’" (05:00-07:39)

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2. AO Champions & Match Analysis

(09:49 – 14:43)

• Women’s Champion: Elena
  Jess Pegula, who played Elena at WTA Finals, praises her aggressive playstyle and world-class serving:

  • "She’s just playing super confident. She plays very aggressive and I think she’s pretty well-rounded...Her serve, obviously, I think is probably the best on tour currently." – Jess (10:45)
  • Madison offers tactical analysis, including stats about increased topspin that makes Elena’s serve even harder to return (11:53).

• Men’s Champion: Carlos
  The crew is in awe of Carlos achieving the career Grand Slam at age 22:

  • "That’s what, seven Grand Slams already?...I honestly thought he was older until that stat came out again, and it said he was 22." – Multiple (13:41-14:03)
  • Discussion of the changing of the guard, with Jannik chasing his own Slam set, and reflections on the presumed post-Big Three "lull" that never happened.

• Media Moment: Novak’s Press Conference
  Madison describes a viral Novak Djokovic press conference:

  • "[Novak said], 'Are we gonna not talk about, like, the middle? Where, you know, I was chasing Rafa and Roger, and then I dominated, and now I’m chasing again. Like, we’re gonna skip that giant middle?'" (15:36)

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3. Tour Headlines & Debates

(16:57 – 21:10)

• Craig Tiley’s Three-Out-of-Five Proposal for Women
  The hosts react to AO’s suggestion of women playing best-of-five from the quarterfinals:
  • "I think we’re all capable...I don’t think I would sign up to do more." – Madison (17:20)
  • Multiple agree, if women go to best-of-five, so should men—from quarters on—for fairness and practical reasons (18:48).
  • "If they’re going to make a drastic decision like that...there needs to be something to balance that out." – Jess (19:19)

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4. AO Stories, Privacy, & Camera Controversies

(22:08 – 31:27)

• Cheesy Pie Goes Viral
  Madison and Jess reveal the cheesy apple pie bet became a huge talking point in media and even made it onto ESPN:

  • "Can we just—can we be done with the cheese pie questions? Like, this is getting out of hand literally for like, over an hour." – Jess (22:32)

• Camera Invasions at Tournaments
  Major discussion on privacy at events, especially at the Australian Open:

  • "It went from not having any cameras to all of a sudden...clips from walking in the hallways, in the gym kept going viral...players had no idea." – Madison (24:11)
  • "There should be some safe spaces on site where it’s like, there are no cameras, but there is a hard surface that you could, in fact, smash a racket." – Madison (25:38)
  • Jess recounts the infamous "rage room" idea and recalls her own post-loss racket-smashing stories, both in stairwells and outside empty spaces (26:33).

• Boundaries & Content Creation
  Desirae raises concerns about cameras zooming in on players’ phones and constant behind-the-scenes content:

  • "You want to give the fans content, but... you’re invading privacy and it’s so unnecessary." – Desirae (27:51)

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5. Tournaments, Broadcasting Rights & Social Media Mishaps

(32:00 – 38:49)

• Snack Haul Video Drama
  The hosts’ self-filmed video about AO locker room snacks was ordered taken down due to broadcast rights, despite non-stop official filming elsewhere.
  • Madison: "It feels kind of crazy that we can be filmed the moment we walk on site...but none of that footage of us we actually have ownership of." (32:39)
  • Jenny ends up stealthily archiving the video to minimize pre-match stress for her co-hosts—sparking group chat confusion and laughter.

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6. AO Mixed Doubles & Personal Highlights

(39:05 – 43:13)

• Desirae’s Wild Mixed Doubles Ride
  Recap of Desirae Krawczyk’s dramatic match against Nick and Layla Kyrgios (39:05), including acing Nick—her “win” despite losing the match.

• The "Wooden Spoon" Phenomenon
  Desirae’s partners both won the titles in their respective events, while she lost in the first round of each—making her the "wooden spoon":

  • "I made history. I think, you know, it could be good or bad. But I made history." – Desirae (42:11)
  • Adds hilarious detail: her ex-boyfriend liked a viral "wooden spoon" tweet about her tournament.

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7. Homebound: Off-Court Routines & Comfort Food

(43:17 – 53:41)

• Post-Slam Recovery
  The crew shares relatable tales of laziness, sleep deprivation, and, most importantly, comfort food:

  • Jess: "We had Chick-fil-A right when we landed, which was great...I just like to do nothing, to be honest." (43:41)
  • Madison: "I love sleeping in my own bed… I got a new mop and I was like, real jazzed about it, so I cleaned my whole house the other day." (45:37)

• Misconceptions: Athlete Diets
  They push back on the notion that pro athletes always eat clean:

  • "I personally don’t believe in diets...I will eat candy when I want to eat candy...Fans think we’re basically just, like, eating steamed broccoli and chicken breast every single day." – Madison (47:32)
  • Jessica sums it up: "Our only thing to look forward to is finding a good restaurant..." (49:01)
  • Sour Patch Kids are officially declared a "superfood" by Madison (51:10).

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8. Tour Schedule & Player Wellbeing

(53:54 – 55:55)

• Rest, Burnout & Tournament Choices
  The challenges of the calendar, balancing rest and ranking points:
  • "I think you have to figure out what pockets you can afford to [take off]...don’t want to burn out in February." – Jess (55:14, 55:52)
  • Desirae is already in Abu Dhabi, while Jess and Maddie describe strategic scheduling to avoid overloading.

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9. Fun & Fan Engagement

(56:02 – 61:10)

• "Who Am I?" Tennis Trivia
  Clue guessing for the tennis icons segment (Steffi Graf is the answer to Madison’s riddle at 57:08).

• Fan Q&A Highlights:

  • How was the pod started?
    "I think someone kind of said it as a joke...then Jess really locked in..." (58:44)
  • Rod Laver Arena tunnel experience
    Madison: "As you walk by [the images], it plays a couple seconds of when they won their slam..." (59:45)
    Jess: "This year there’s like that whole water video thing going on...It’s like waves and wind as you’re walking..." (60:26)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Cheesy Apple Pie Review
  "It might be better if it wasn’t melty cold cheese." – Madison (01:42)
• On Post-Match Meltdowns
  "There should be some safe spaces on site where...there are no cameras, but there is a hard surface that you could, in fact, smash a racket." – Madison (25:38)
• On Diet & Recovery:
  "I have dessert, like, three times a week...I talk about Sour Patch Kids so much that I got six boxes and I’m so excited." – Madison (50:34)
• On Camera Overexposure
  "If I want to have cameras following me all over the place, I’ll sign up for Big Brother...but it feels like [I already am]." – Madison (28:10)
• On Tennis’ Next Generation
  "We were all afraid after Rafa and Roger...that we weren’t gonna have anybody. And...it feels like Carlos has been around forever." – Jess (14:43)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Cheesy Apple Pie Bet: 00:40 – 03:34
• Unforced Errors & Winners: 03:34 – 08:07
• AO Champions Recap: 10:45 – 14:43
• Craig Tiley 3-of-5 Debate: 16:57 – 21:10
• AO Media & Privacy Discussion: 22:08 – 31:27
• Snack Haul Broadcasting Drama: 32:00 – 38:49
• Desirae’s Mixed Doubles Story & Wooden Spoon: 39:05 – 43:13
• Comfort Food & Real Diet Talk: 43:17 – 53:41
• Scheduling, Burnout: 53:54 – 55:55
• Who Am I & Fan Q&A: 56:02 – 61:10

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For Full Effect...

Watch on YouTube for Madison’s legendary cheesy apple pie reaction (every eyebrow raise captured in 4K). The episode is a blend of tennis insights, pure honesty, and offbeat charm—a true courtside pass to what it means to live, lose, snack, and laugh on tour.

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Contact/Fan Engagement:
Send questions to [e-mail] or via Instagram.

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Transcript

[A]

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[B]

This is the players box.

[C]

Hi, everyone. Welcome back to the players box. I'm Desiree Krapczyk alongside Jenny Brady, Madison Keys and Jess Pugula. A friendly reminder to give our podcast five stars and subscribe on YouTube. Today we'll recap the Australian Open. The good and the bad moments from our time under. Give an update on what's next on the tennis calendar and the moment you all have been waiting for. Maddie will uphold her end of the bet she had with Jess and give that questionable apple pie a try. But first, let's get into our unforced error of the week. Maddie, would you like to start?

[B]

Well, I'm gonna finally get this over with because it's. It looks gross. And then we had a lot of technical difficulties, so now it's not only melted but also kind of cold. So I feel like this is gross.

[C]

Remember, our listeners may not be watching, so give us the whole description and everything.

[D]

Just. Just one bite.

[B]

What does it taste like? So gross. Do you have water? Ew, water. Do you want some? I don't like that. Yeah, not a fan. That. It might. It would probably be better if it wasn't also like melty cold cheese. But yeah, it kind of tastes like if you accidentally took a bite of Mac and cheese and apple pie at Thanksgiving at the same time. And I don't like that. So my unforced error of the week is losing and having to eat that.

[C]

You're a trooper.

[D]

It's a little early for pie as well.

[B]

Yeah, it's also the morning.

[E]

Yeah.

[B]

Definitely not breakfast food. So well done.

[D]

Bad as you thought it was going to be or was it?

[B]

Yeah, it was.

[E]

Was it worse than what you thought it was going to be?

[B]

I actually think it was worse than I thought because I. I've literally, for the last, like four days have been like, it's fine. Like, apples and cheese go together. Like it. It'll be okay. It'll be fine. And then I microwaved it and it looks like vomit. And I was like, this is. This might be worse than I think.

[D]

It looks a little tough.

[B]

Yeah, it's not it.

[D]

I thought it looked good, actually, but.

[E]

Well, props to you.

[B]

I'll send you some later.

[E]

Yeah, send it on the bright line. Props to you for holding up your end of the bargain.

[B]

Yeah.

[E]

Yes.

[C]

Well done.

[B]

A bet is a bet, and I pay up. That's definitely my unforced error, and I would like to move on from this tough moment in my life. Please, Des, you want to give us your unforced error of the week?

[C]

I mean, I can't really think of an unforced error right now, but I have the honorable mention to say. Jenny is back. She's back after two years of playing. She just made her semifinals. So, Jenny, congrats.

[E]

Yeah, you stole my winner.

[B]

Yeah. You just took her winner. Rude.

[E]

Yeah, you took my winner. You.

[C]

Wait, hang on. We talked about this before.

[B]

Recording does. Think of your own stuff. Stop stealing.

[E]

Yeah, Des, you can't just, like, steal my winner.

[D]

Jenny's gaslighting. Wait, so what for when we discussed all of this. But I love you.

[C]

Hang on.

[B]

What about honorable mention?

[E]

I mainly.

[C]

But, Jenny, here's your winner. Here's your winner. I'm just starting rolling, starting the ball rolling for you to go on and tell us about your week.

[D]

Getting the ball rolling.

[E]

Well, I'm mainly gaslighting you because I. Because I saw Maddie's face as soon as you said it. So I was like, oh, I'm capitalizing on this.

[C]

I did not see Maddie's face.

[B]

I didn't even feel my face.

[E]

We listen and we do judge.

[B]

Big judge.

[E]

Yeah, Big judge. Yeah. Well, my winner of the week is finally playing a tournament after 848 days.

[B]

Yay.

[E]

Yay.

[C]

Proud friends.

[E]

But I also have an unforced error, and that is setting up my new mic. I put the. I put this. I put the stand on backwards and was like, I'm returning this mic because I was infuriated because it was wobbling all over. And then Maddie took a look at it, and she said, jenny, it's on backwards. So that's my unforced air Jessica.

[D]

Okay, so my unforced error of the week was that on my flight back home, I flew Melbourne to la LA to Fort Lauderdale, and I'm boarding my second flight, and I'm walking down the aisle, and I thought I was in 12B, and I was like, that's weird. I was flying JetBlue, and I was like. I thought I was like, the JetBlue mint on the way back, which is, like, their business. Whatever. And so I'm walking and I'm like, oh, I guess I'm not. And so I go to 12 and I'm B. And I'm like, I'm middle. And I was like, what the. I was so mad because I was so tired. I didn't sleep at all on the first flight. And I literally put my stuff in the overhead. I sit down, I start low key, rage texting my agent, Chris, because I was like, I could have sworn I was meant, like, what happened? Like, did something happen? I'm so confused. He's like, you are like, what are you talking about? And so I look at my ticket again, and 12B was the gate number and not the seat. I was actually 4A. And I was like, oh, my God. And I. I was sitting next to actually, like, a pilot that was flying. I was like, I'm so sorry. I'm in the completely wrong. Just totally wrong seat. And I had to get my stuff, take my carry on from the overhead bin and walk back to the front. And the flight attendant was like, yeah, I recognize you. And I didn't think that's where you were sitting, so I'm glad you came back. And I was like, yeah, just a little mix up. It was kind of really embarrassing. I also scanned my ticket with the old flight ticket, so it was like, wrong flight when I boarded the plane. And I was like, what's going on? And I had the wrong ticket. So I was basically 0 for 2 getting on that flight. And I was just thinking about how my brain had melted at that point and I was just not there. But, yeah, that was my own first air.

[E]

Wow. Too much Bluetooth headphones.

[D]

Yeah, the brain was gone bad.

[C]

Not functioning.

[D]

Anyone else? No.

[B]

Does stole Jenny. So that's kind of it for everyone's.

[D]

Yeah, I guess.

[C]

That's my unforced error. I stole Jenny's winner. But Jenny, you win. You definitely win.

[E]

Well, she's really heated.

[B]

She hates my bracelet.

[E]

Yeah, she just gave the most sarcastic laugh of all time.

[C]

Oh, I didn't even know that.

[D]

But Jenny's still gaslighting you. Yeah.

[C]

Jenny's pastime. I don't.

[E]

Me and Maddie, we ganged up on her.

[C]

I'm gonna go to therapy for this.

[B]

Now it's just revenge because basically, from the moment I've lost, Des has been like, when are you gonna eat your cheesy pizza or your cheesy pie? Oh, my gosh. Can you explain it, please? Yeah, give it only a bite. So sh.

[C]

I wanted the listeners that can't really. You know visually.

[B]

See, I wanted them to get that.

[C]

Whole detail and everything.

[E]

When as soon as DEZ said only a bite, Maddie literally went red.

[D]

I didn't even see it.

[C]

Good.

[D]

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[C]

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[E]

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[B]

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[D]

I feel like she's just playing super confident. She plays very aggressive and I think she's pretty well rounded as well. Like, she's good at the net. She can, like, slice a little bit. Her serve, obviously, I think is probably the best on tour currently. And so when I played her in the WTA Finals is kind of the same thing. I just felt like she is really trusting her aggressive play. And obviously when you play someone like that, it's super dangerous. But my match is pretty crazy. Came back, saved a couple match points, had set points. She, like, hit this one short forehand that, like, I don't know how it went in, but it caught the back of the line and I was like. Thought it was going out almost. And I kind of like stopped and it, like, dropped and I was like, ah. And then she, like, hit a winner. But yeah, I feel like she just is playing very aggressive and very confident. She also gets a lot of really good depth on her shots. So I always feel like she doesn't just hit big, but, yeah, a lot of really good depth, which forces a of lot. Lot of errors and stuff like that.

[B]

Yeah, I feel like her. I feel like Sabalenka is probably, in my opinion, the best at, like, the serve and first ball and the return in first ball, like, really opening the court. But I think Elena's serve is the best on tour right now. I think maybe not so much her pace, but her spots are so good. And I was reading a stat where they were saying that she's gotten, like, 15% more topspin on her forehand, so she's creating a better angle on her first ball. So I feel like kind of watching some of her matches this tournament, I've kind of noticed that she's starting to become very deadly as well with, like, that serve and, like, immediately getting someone moving.

[D]

Mm. Yeah. She spots her serve so well, and I think when also, too, like, even if she, like, she didn't serve that well against me in the first set, but just knowing that she is a really good server, like, freaks you out because you start taking away patterns, and then she'll still hit, though, like, one ace a game. So you're, like, kind of on edge even when she's missing first serves, that you're just like, oh, gosh, she's gonna start serving better. I also think her second serve is really good. I think probably the best second serve on tour, too. So just like always having that in the back of your head is really tough to play against in big moments. But, yeah, she spots her serve really well and, like, can hit any spot.

[B]

And then we have Cheese, and then we have Carlos winning his career grand slam at 22, which is insane. Insane.

[C]

It's crazy. And that's what, seven grand slams already?

[D]

I cannot.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

That's crazy.

[E]

Yeah.

[D]

I honestly thought he was older until that stat came out again, and it said he was 22. I thought he was, like, 24 by now, for whatever reason, and 22. And I was like, what? What? Come again?

[C]

It's amazing that he did that.

[D]

It's insane.

[B]

So, yeah, so now he has a career slam, and Janik needs Roland Garros. Is that right?

[D]

I believe so.

[E]

I think so. Yeah.

[B]

But it's got to be, like, the two youngest players that are actively playing at the same time to both be. I mean, Carlos obviously just did it, and Jannik is one away. It's got to be, like, the youngest in history where you have two active players both trying to get.

[C]

They just keep getting younger.

[B]

Yeah.

[E]

Yeah.

[D]

I Remember, we were all afraid after Rafa and Roger and obviously eventually Novak, that, like, we weren't gonna have anybody. And I was like, wow, I can't believe we ever thought that, because it feels like Carlos also has been around forever. You know, like, we didn't even get, like, a lull and like.

[E]

That.

[D]

The top players on the men's side. It's pretty wild.

[B]

Well, I think Novak obviously dominated for so long, and it was Roger and Rafa kind of slowly starting to leave, and then Novak was just dominating, and then it seems like Carlos and Jannik just showed up, and then it was three years later, and now they're at the top. But did anyone see Novak getting that question in press? Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Did you watch it?

[E]

Yes, I didn't see it, no. Yes, I did.

[B]

The reporter basically was insinuating that Novak is just out chasing Carlos and Jannik, and how does that feel? And he, I thought, had a great response where he was like, are we gonna not talk about, like, the middle? Where, you know, I was chasing Rafa and Roger, and then I dominated, and now I'm chasing again. Like, we're gonna skip that giant middle.

[D]

Like, I feel like she motivated him to be. Yannick fired him up. Yeah. Because that was right before. Right. I think that was the master. I think it lit a fire.

[B]

That was. I mean, I thought he had a great response.

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

No, I would have liked to have seen him hit. Get the 20, 25th slam, but, I mean, geez.

[E]

Yeah. I think 24 is pretty decent.

[C]

Yeah. It's not too shabby.

[D]

It's all right.

[E]

Yeah. I mean, he still could. He's still good.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

I can't even made it that far.

[D]

Yeah. I just can't even. Yeah, it's. It's wild. But that reporter was.

[E]

Yeah.

[D]

Insinuating the wrong person to the wrong person.

[E]

Yeah.

[B]

And another headline that I just basically woke up to is, Craig Tylee is suggesting maybe the women play three out of five, I think, from the quarterfinals on. But still.

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

Thoughts?

[C]

What's your thoughts on that?

[D]

I mean, would I want to? No.

[E]

What?

[B]

Yeah, I mean, I think we're all. I think we're all capable of doing it. I don't think I would sign up to do more.

[C]

And his thing was that it was just such a thrilling. So many thrilling matches that he was like, we want the fan. We want to give the fans more. But, I mean, as players, I mean, I don't feel like it doesn't seem. Well from the two of you, three of you guys, that you guys would want to do that unless there was something else that would be motivating.

[B]

Well, I think that if we were to do that, I think that you change the men as well. And they also only play three out of five quarterfinals on. Because I feel like when you look at a draw, the women's draw, and then you look at the men's draw so often, I feel like the argument is like, oh, the women, there's just so much more. So many more people could win every week. And it's crazy, especially in Slams, yada, yada, yada. But then if you look at the men's draw, the amount of time that top seeds would have, quote, unquote, lost because they went down two sets of love, two sets to one, like, that would have been over and you would have had way more upsets and things like that. So I feel like if you, if you want to do that, I think it should be like equal opportunity on both sides.

[E]

Yeah, agreed.

[D]

That's what I've always said. I'm like, I just think 3 out of 5 is easier in a sense, because you have more time to come back, like the top players, for sure. So I think they should make it the same, like three. If we're going to go three out of five, well, then I think it needs to be switched to the men to make it the same. And then I would also feel like maybe prize money would have to. That's me.

[C]

Go up more sets, more money.

[D]

I mean, I think if they're going to make a drastic decision like that, it's not even necessarily like that. We need that. I think it's just more. Okay, you want to totally change, like, the entire woman's Grand Slam format. Well, then I think there needs to be something, like, to balance that out.

[C]

Yeah, we'll see if it happens.

[D]

What do you think, Jenny?

[E]

I mean, I kind of what you guys said. But, dez, I mean, didn't the. Didn't Wimbledon used to play three out of five for doubles for the men? Yeah, so it was a lot.

[C]

And not a lot of singles players played it because of that. They're like, I'm not gonna play best of five singles and then go out there and play best of five doubles. And the matches were so long and. But imagine if they did not. Obviously they wouldn't, but imagine if they did three out of five, starting from first rounds, they would never get matches done. There's no way.

[B]

Yeah, you'd have to extend the tournament another week.

[C]

No, it's crazy.

[D]

No.

[C]

Don'T give the idea.

[B]

It's gonna be a three week, month long Grand Slams.

[E]

Three week tournament.

[D]

I just think it was a. Like, I can't believe he said that, though. Like, you sent that des.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

To us. And I was like, is this like, if, like a fake news, like, thing?

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

I hope this isn't fake news.

[B]

And we're talking about.

[D]

He even mentioned like and he said. What did he say? Like, there's no rule against it.

[C]

And I was like, no, there is no rule. But like, it's like, hey, here you go.

[B]

Should we file the rule book really quick?

[E]

I was like, wait, what should we. Pass me the Sharpie.

[B]

Are there any other favorite storylines from. From AO that anyone has?

[C]

I mean, I just think Carlos winning the career grand slam is pretty cool, but we think we talked about what the one went. The one point slam was very, I mean, entertaining from the first week, like, leading up to the. To the ao. But those are like.

[E]

Yeah.

[B]

Is it so crazy that I totally forgot about the one point slam because it feels like it happened seven years ago.

[C]

Feels like it went by. It was so long.

[D]

Yeah, it did feel long. Yeah.

[E]

Maybe Maddie having to eat cheese on pie after.

[B]

Is that.

[E]

Is that an a wager with it became my aot.

[D]

It kind of did be kind.

[E]

Yeah. It actually did become a story.

[B]

I actually did get a lot of questions in press about it, which thank you to all of the esteemed journalists who had equal disgust on their face as I was describ driving it. At least I wasn't gaslit impressed being like, that sounds delicious.

[E]

Yeah, I hope they get to see your face. I hope they tune in on YouTube because that was priceless.

[D]

Everybody in press asked me about. I literally, after like an hour, I was like, can we just. Can we be done with the cheese pie? Questions like, this is getting out of hand literally for like, over an hour.

[C]

And.

[D]

Oh, I ate a. On the ESPN set with Caroline Wozniacki and Malika. I. They had an apple pie muffin and they melted cheese on it. And they're like, we couldn't really get a pie. It was not great. Oh, you like it?

[B]

Actually, that. That's cute.

[D]

Trying to eat it. And Malika ate it. She's like, not. No, like, not feeling it. And then Caroline, like, wasn't gonna eat it. And I was like, you have to eat it. Like, we just ate it. And she, like, takes a bite and she doesn't even get the cheese. She just took the muffin. And I like, Totally called her out. And I was like, you didn't even eat the cheese. Like, what are you doing? So, yeah, that's funny. That's pretty memorable. Another, I think, good headline, though, or controversy. The cameras at AO were a big talking point. I was pretty outspoken against it and press. Maddie, you've been fighting this war forever. So.

[E]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

What's your thoughts?

[B]

When did I start my war on camera?

[D]

Like, two years ago. Yeah, two years ago when Maddie was still on players council with me, she was like, my number one goal in, like, life right now is to stop with the cameras and. Because it started happening more and more, like, a couple years ago. And then that's when they just kind of put up signs, because they didn't even have signs and you didn't even know where they were or when you were being filmed. It was wild.

[B]

Yeah. I think that was my biggest issue is it went from not having any cameras to all of a sudden, it was like one of the first tournaments that we played, and there were all of these clips from walking in the hallways, in the gym that kept going. I mean, viral, essentially. And players had no idea that the cameras were even in there. So I was like, okay, at the very least, we have to have signs telling people that they're being filmed. So I think at least people now know basically, when you walk on site, it's fair game. Like, you're gonna be on tv. I think that I. I don't have too much of an issue of the cameras in certain places. I think they are really great for content. I think they really show personalities. I just think that there should be a few more places where you do have some privacy. Like, obviously Coco not wanting to smash a racket on court and trying to find a space that is private that she can go have, you know, a post match melt, which I think everyone is very entitled to. I think that there should be some safe spaces on site where it's like, there are no cameras, but there is a hard surface that you could, in fact, smash a racket.

[D]

Well, I saw the comments of everyone's like, why didn't she just go to the locker room? Why would you go to the locker room and do that? That would have been so, first of all, awkward. Like, there's carpet. What do you smash it into?

[B]

We're going to smash it into a.

[D]

Wall, like, into a locker. And then like.

[E]

Yeah, there's people in there.

[D]

Yeah.

[E]

Like, yeah, she was like your opponent right next to you.

[D]

Yeah. Like, no. I also think it's com. Like, you're trying to have a moment to yourself. You don't go into the locker room and then make everyone else feel really uncomfortable because you are having, like a mini meltdown. Like, you're entitled to do that in your own space. I mean, Fort Worth. I went into the stairwell and I just like, smashed a racket after I lost and no one saw me, but everybody could hear it because it echoed really bad. And they're like, Jess is in there doing some damage after rackets.

[B]

After I lost at the 2016 Olympics, I lost to Petra Kvitova for third and fourth and was devastated. And I was walking back and there was like this empty little space with a brick wall. So took my opportunity there and I smashed a racket and then threw it and then pulled another one out and smashed another one through it. And I thought that it was like, I was like, I'm outside, I'm in a secluded place. Like, no one can see me. And I, like, came around the corner and it was like everyone who had come to watch my match from Team USA was standing there like, are you okay? I was like, did you hear that? Or so I still vote. And maybe we can talk to tournaments about it. But like, secluded, private, like post match loss meltdown rooms.

[D]

Honestly, this is great. Sounds great. Yeah.

[C]

Like, I was just gonna piggyback and say that there are so many cameras and it just seems that the invasion of it is a lot. Like, even with the one with the episode of zooming in on people's phones, like, that's really, I think, unnecessary and.

[D]

It'S just, yeah, crazy.

[C]

I mean, yeah, you want to give the fans content, but, like, it's just like you're invading privacy and it. It's so unnecessary. I mean, you guys already have full access to what we're doing in the gym and the corridors and all that. And. But it. There's a limit.

[E]

So. Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

I mean, I think if I want to be like, if I want to have cameras following me all over the place, like, I'll sign up for Big Brother, which, like, I do. But it feels like.

[C]

Basically feels like Big Brother.

[D]

Yeah. And I feel like too. I don't know, like, when you read comments that are like kind of against, like, oh, players need to suck it up or, you know, you're getting paid and blah, blah, blah. And it's like, well, for first of all, like, we're also there working, like all day. You don't go to work. Like, we already get filmed on court, on tv with a camera right here. Like, Constantly. When we're walking out, when we're getting. We're coming back, we do press, we do all this stuff. And when you're just like, walking on site, which is basically like where you're working for the day, you're there for a really long time. I don't understand why it needs to be filmed. Every single hallway that you're just, like, walking around, you're on your phone, you're talking to people. Like, people that work a job don't get filmed all the time. And if it's just like, people. I saw some people saying, like, oh, it's a security thing. No, like, it doesn't get live streamed, like, your whole life. Like, it's pretty crazy. I like how invasive it is.

[E]

It's literally like. Like, I'm like, if I go on Twitter, I just see constant videos of, like, someone turning the hallway here and then turning the hallway there, and then it's like every little, like, nook and cranny, it's like, oh, they're there, they're there. And then they're on their phone and. And I'm like, oh, my gosh, this is way too much. Like, it's like an episode of Love Island. A hot new bombshell has entered. I know. And then they're looking at their phone context.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[D]

Iga, when IGA forgot her credential and that whole thing was on video. I mean, that, like, that stuff is funny. Like, I get. I get like, the funny moments. It's just like I was walking with Laura to media and we were talking. We go down that one long hallway before you go into the. That you take a left to go up the elevator to media. And she was like, yeah, like, right now there's cameras right here. And I was like, there's cameras here? And she's like, yep. And I'm like, wait, what?

[C]

Like, we're.

[D]

I even heard. She even said that they used to have audio, and they asked that really quickly. And I'm like, audio? Oh, my God.

[B]

I had. There was. It's actually. It's actually like a little bit funny. But my agent was one time, like, sitting under a camera that had audio so you couldn't see him, but they were playing it on the tv and I could hear him in the background. And he was on the phone and I called him and I. I called him, he didn't answer. And I texted him like a million times. I was like, you need to move. I can hear you on tv. I don't trust you.

[E]

Talking literally.

[B]

I Was like, you move, dude. I can hear everything but that. Luckily there's no audio.

[D]

Yeah. The fact that they even like had that at one point is crazy. If there was. Yeah, it's a lot. Wait, going back to the mini meltdown rooms, I was just thinking of like, you know, you go to those places where you break.

[E]

Yes.

[D]

Like, they should just set up a room, like a rage room, and you just get stuff.

[B]

Have some breakable stuff.

[E]

Yes.

[B]

A few bats and just go to tannable.

[E]

Yeah. Then my knuckles would be safe.

[D]

Is there anything else that you guys would maybe change from a tournament?

[B]

I don't know. I feel like my rage room idea was like, maybe like.

[E]

Yeah, that was pretty good.

[C]

It's a pretty good one. I'm sure a lot of us would sign up for that.

[D]

Okay, so now obviously all the camera issues at AO and we filmed a snack haul video for Aussie snacks in the locker room. And we got told actually to take the video down. And we were really annoyed because we made this really fun video that got a lot of players were commenting and we felt like it was good traction for AO and players and something different. And obviously connecting our podcast. And then we got told to take it down, but then we have these cameras filming us every single second. And I felt like that was a little annoying thoughts.

[B]

It's like because we filmed on site, we actually don't have the ownership of the video because of broadcasting rules. Which feels kind of crazy that, like we can be filmed the moment we walk on site to the moment that we walk off of site, but none of that footage of us, like we actually have ownership of. But I think that was kind of the reason that they do. When they do the, like the match, not the match highlights, but when they like live stream the match, they do like the little Wii tennis people. It's because, like, of broadcasting roles. So I think it's. I think if there was one other thing I would change, it'd be kind of figuring out some of the broadcasting roles where obviously the tournaments own all of their own content and broadcasting deals are huge. But at the same time, I think players should have more access to their own footage.

[E]

Yeah, for sure.

[B]

Was it.

[D]

Was that the main reason or was it because we filmed in the locker room or a combination?

[B]

I think it was a combo.

[E]

Yeah, I think a little bit of both. Because other players are posting TikToks and videos and doing tours of the facility.

[D]

Well, some get in trouble. Remember Dasha last year got in trouble trying to film like this from her match and pushing, putting them together. And she got in trouble. I got in trouble for a video I had that someone took of me that I posted. And because it was live footage they got, they, you know, they were like, you need to take that down. So, yeah, I think it was a combination, but it just makes it so hard. Like, why can't players, I don't know, record their own experiences? And we also made sure, like, there was no. You couldn't really tell where we were. You couldn't see any names on the lockers. We didn't have any branding. And we went to the locker room because it was the quietest place, because there's not a lot of quiet spaces at that point in the tournament. We tried to film outside and it was so loud. So, yeah, that was just kind of frustrating on top of the fact that we were getting filmed every two seconds and live streamed and obvious.

[C]

And obviously we made sure that no one was in the locker room. I mean, you could hear the announcement. That's what, you know, you're in the locker room. But it was the only place we could really film.

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

So hopefully we'll get it back up, but we'll see.

[D]

I don't know. The video is doing well. It was kind of great.

[E]

The video was popping off. I think I had to archive it before you guys.

[B]

Wait, that's the funniest part.

[D]

Jenny was dealing with our. What do you want to call it? Our media PR obligation issues. Because it was right before Maddie and I were about to play, and we just see this text from our one producer, and he was like, what, Jenny? What happened to our video? And then I just see a text from Jenny that was like, what did you say, Jenny?

[E]

No, it was like. So he, our editor was like, literally as soon as I went in, I archived the video. And I was like, okay, we're good. Nobody's gonna notice. Literally within like, three minutes, our editor comes in our group chat and is like, what happened to the snack video? And, like, sent a screenshot and was like, it was archived. And I was like, oh, gosh. And so I literally just texted him separately. And I was like, hey, yeah, so about that. Yeah, blah, blah, blah, you know, this and that. And he was like, oh, okay. And then Jess comes in and it's literally like 30 minutes to an hour before your guys's match. So, like, obviously, like, don't want you guys, like, thinking about the snack video getting taken down before the match. So Jess goes into the group chat and she's like, oh, that's so weird. Like, what happened? And then he goes, oh, yeah, Jenny. Jenny fixed it. Or Jenny did something. And then for sure, I was like, oh, no, not the right thing to say.

[B]

Not the right thing to say.

[E]

And then Maddie was like, oh, well.

[B]

Jenny, if it is needs to be.

[E]

Taken down, let me know.

[B]

Blah, blah, blah.

[E]

And then I was like, oh, no, this is exactly what I didn't want. This is exactly what wasn't supposed to happen.

[C]

And I wasn't answering my phone, and they were like, des, asap, Call me right now. And then I didn't. They resorted to Jenny. Cause I was. And then everything was handled.

[B]

So it was.

[C]

Jenny handled everything.

[B]

It was so funny to me that, like, Jenny just silently did it without telling anyone. And it was just like, no one will notice. I was like, if you had just texted him and like, hey, we have a small issue. Like, we gotta take it down. But, like, don't worry about it. We'll figure it out after your match. It would have been like, okay. But Jenny just trying to, like, silently behind the scenes do stuff.

[D]

She's putting out fires behind the scenes of the players box pr. That's, like, how I pictured it. When he told me, like, oh, Jenny handled it. I was like, what the happened?

[C]

I know.

[B]

I was like, wait, yeah, then we were worried. Jenny handled what? But also, I was like, I just did what?

[E]

It was what I was told.

[B]

I also was laughing.

[E]

Good job.

[B]

Like, oh, well, we don't want to stress you guys out before the match or whatever.

[E]

Like, yeah, I was like.

[B]

I was like, that's literally gonna be the last thing that I care about before my match. I once had. I once had my AC leaking through my kitchen ceiling right before a match. So, like, this is so low. The snack video that would stress me out.

[E]

I was like, wait, I think now it became a problem because I was the one who handled it.

[D]

That's what made it so.

[E]

You did a great job.

[D]

Oh, no, you did a great job, Jenny. But it was really, really funny when I. Yeah, when you're the one dealing with our social media.

[B]

I know.

[D]

Slightly concerning, but it's all right.

[C]

That was hilarious.

[B]

Okay, moving back to our recap, Des, you had a very energetic mixed doubles experience in Australia. Do you want to tell us about it?

[E]

Yes.

[C]

Neil and I played Nick and Layla Kyrgios. That was a very entertaining match, actually. I didn't know what to expect. And obviously he's quite the showman, so it was really rowdy. And I. I went out there and I was like, it's not gonna be that bad. And then I got out there, and I was like, I have never been in an environment like this. And I was like, whoa. But to be honest, I think he. He did a good job. He wasn't trying to, like, get the crowd all riled up, and he was actually pretty respectful. But I've only. I've played with him once, but not against him. And I definitely would rather play with him than play against him.

[E]

But then we actually played with him.

[C]

Yeah. So in 2019, actually, Nick and I played Jenny. And who was your partner?

[B]

Okay. Yeah.

[C]

First round.

[D]

I didn't realize you played Jenny.

[C]

We lost in three sets. Yeah, we played. We lost him in three sets.

[B]

It was really memorable. Yeah, clearly.

[C]

And then, yeah, I played against them here, but I actually. We didn't win the match. We lost in a nail biter, sadly. But I did ace him, so that was my win, and it was so satisfying. So after the match, I told him I was like, I didn't win, but I aced you. And he was like, oh, no. But it was fun.

[D]

Where'd you ace him?

[C]

Yeah, it was a good time on the deuce side, wide. He thought I was going tee every time, you know, I got him.

[D]

You gotta cover tee against the lefty.

[C]

But, yeah, you gotta get that sneaky wide serve, you know, one out of 10 times. No, it's good. It was fun.

[D]

Do you want to mention.

[E]

Yeah. Me and Marcus Daniel beat you.

[C]

Oh, did you Google that? Oh. Oh, nice.

[D]

Nice.

[E]

It was so long ago, I can't even remember what I did last week.

[D]

I feel like you remember everything, though.

[E]

I remember very niche things, like what she ate, maybe.

[D]

You probably remember what you ate before that match, but you don't remember.

[E]

Actually. Yeah, I ate out of rangy.

[B]

You actually remember. Oh, my gosh.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[D]

Des, do you want to mention your. Your partners?

[B]

I mean, that. That one could have been your honorable. That could have been your honorable. Unforced.

[C]

Honestly, that could have been.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Anything else?

[E]

That could have been your unforced error, Desiree.

[C]

Yeah. Is it an unforced error? But yes, both my partners, I played with Neil Skepski. He won the men's doubles, and my women's doubles partner, Olivia Gadecki, won the mix. So I get the wooden spoon, and I guess it's me. I'm the problem. So congrats to them.

[B]

Yeah, there was a wooden spoons happen. I got. I got mine at U.S. open.

[C]

I made history. I think, you know, it could be good or Bad. But I made history.

[D]

Did you think about it or did you not think about it until you saw that tweet?

[C]

Had not. No idea until it was sent. And even better when an ex boyfriend liked it, which was even better. So thanks for that.

[D]

I didn't even notice until someone sent it to us. Yeah, they're like, does anyone realize that Desiree Kravchek lost first round and first round in both, but her partners won the tournament? And then she said, my. The best part is my ex boyfriend.

[E]

She didn't even acknowledge it. And she goes, oh, wow, my ex boyfriend liked this tweet. And I was like, what?

[C]

We're not gonna mention names. Don't need to give the attention. But, yeah, it was. It was just the icing on top of the cake.

[D]

Yeah. Yeah, you know how to pick good.

[E]

Well, at least you know how to. Yeah, you know how to pick them.

[D]

Beat to it.

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

Yeah, you did beat me to it.

[C]

Yeah. Picked good partners. But we lost first round.

[E]

Yeah.

[D]

You also had insanely tough draws, though.

[C]

Yeah, very tough. Yeah. Look at the draw. Well, we've finished the first Grand Slam. Now I think about a few of us are at home. Is there anything you guys like to do? Like after being on the road, unwinding at home, comfort food, Anything that you guys were like, oh, yes, I get to do this when I get home, Jess.

[B]

Well, I.

[D]

When I flew to or from Melbourne to la, me and Spencer, my hitting partner, we had Chick fil A right when we landed, which was great. We almost thought about hitting the Panda Express, but it was 7am but to us, it didn't feel like 7am, so it doesn't sound as gross. But it was open, and we were like, should we send it at Panda Express? We're like, that's too much. So we did Chick fil A. I did order Chinese food that night after I landed. And I have been rotting ever since. I mean, it's only, like, the second day I've been back, but I just like to do nothing, to be honest. Maddie, how's the jet lag? Not too bad. Slept most of the night.

[B]

I love sleeping in my own bed. It's like the greatest thing in the entire world. I actually got home. I got home, like, three days ago. I think the first two nights, I was like, I beat jet lag. Wow. I'm unbelievable. I've had no issues sleeping all, like, through the night. And then yesterday I was up from 1 to 5am, which I watched the women's final until the beginning of the third. And then finally fell back asleep and woke up and was like, had no idea what had actually. How the match actually ended. But my favorite. I mean, my favorite thing in the entire world is just like, being in my own bed. I've already. I'm gonna sound insane, but I got a new mop and I was, like, real jazzed about it, so I cleaved my whole house the other day. I was like. When I was awake between the hours of 1 and 5, I was on Amazon and I was like, this mop looks amazing. I'm gonna lie. I'll be here at 7am did you.

[E]

Get a steam mop?

[B]

No, I have a steam mop, but I got a new mop that's like, kind of like. It's like in between a legit mop and a Swiffer, but it keeps the water, like, separated. So the clean water and the dirty water are separated and you, like, stick them up in the bucket and it sprays, like, water on the pad. And then you. When you're done with it, you put it back in the thing and it squeegees it so all the dirty water comes out of it. I was like, this is the greatest invention in the entire world. So, yeah, it was like 7am And Bjorn came down the stairs and he's like, what are you doing? And I was like, well, I'm moving all the furniture so that I can vacuum. And then after I'm gonna mop, the house will be so clean.

[D]

Jenny, do you have any plans?

[E]

I'm still in San Diego, but I'm gonna drive to LA later this afternoon and then get to see a couple of my good friends. Desiree, I wish you were there.

[C]

Are you staying at my house unannounced?

[E]

No. No, I'm not.

[B]

I thought about.

[C]

Yeah, you know the code, though.

[E]

I know the code. I actually was already there to get your mail.

[C]

Thank you.

[E]

On my way to San Diego. But, yeah, I am gonna stay at our other friend's house, but then I'm gonna go back to Florida. And, Maddie, I'll be in Orlando, so I'll see you next week. Or a couple days, actually. But yeah, I sent it last night. I had pizza, wings, and ice cream.

[D]

So did you go to the bakery yet? Are you gonna go today?

[E]

No, it's 8:00am so I'm gonna go. My tummy is growling.

[D]

Are you gonna get a croissant?

[E]

A croissant?

[C]

A croissant.

[B]

Oh, wait. Speaking of, like, comfort food and everything, I keep seeing everyone commenting on all of our Stuff being like, oh, my God, I can't believe that they eat, like, they say that they eat candy or, like, they ate pizza or whatever, and they're, like, shocked because they're like, you're athletes. I won't speak for anyone else, but I personally don't believe in diets. I don't follow one. Don't like them. We'll eat candy when I want to eat candy. But I just find it very funny that fans think that we're basically just, like, eating steamed broccoli and chicken breast every single day.

[D]

Definitely not.

[C]

Definitely not.

[D]

Definitely have our cheat days. I feel like people don't realize, too, that I remember when my trainer first started, and he was, like, really big on nutrition, and then he realized that how long this. Cause he wasn't in tennis. How long the season is and how long our weeks and, like, everything just. And he's like, if you try to actually, like, go on a diet or be super strict, he's like, you'd be miserable. I'm like, thank you. And he said something really funny. He was like, you know, I don't really care. You know, obviously, like, you're already pretty. I feel like we're pretty healthy also to begin with. Like, when we say we're eating whatever, we don't go out and eat. Like, I was gonna say McDonald's, even though Maddie just said she had McDonald's a couple years ago, but that was after you lost, so that doesn't count.

[E]

But not every day.

[D]

Yeah, we're not eating. Like, I mean, we know what's healthy and what's not and, like, what works for us and what doesn't. But I remember one time he said something like, he's like, yeah, I just realized, you know, you guys are just so busy and so stressed, and you're, like, doing all this stuff. He's like, you know, going to dinner is, like, the only thing you have. And I was like, thank you. It's all we have to look forward to is, like, finding a good restaurant or, like, finding a good spot for whatever it is. But it's so true. We have, like. We're literally working all. Like, when we have a day off, we're gonna find a good restaurant that, yeah, probably isn't steamed broccoli and.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Four ounces of.

[E]

Yeah, literally. Yeah, literally, like, all I've had. It's like, yeah, last night I had pizza, wings, and ice cream. But before that, like, the last, like, six days have literally had oatmeal, rice and salmon or rice and chicken. With vegetables. Broccoli. Steamed broccoli. Literally.

[B]

But.

[E]

And I was like, no. Like, I can't. I can't look at another oatmeal packet.

[B]

I eat.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, when I eat a lot of candy.

[E]

Yes. And cherry juice.

[B]

I love.

[C]

Yes.

[E]

Cherry Bundy. Shout out to Cherry Bundy.

[C]

Oh, cherry juice.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

My cheat meal when I get home or like, when I'm on the road for so long is, like, in n out. Or I don't even know. Yeah. Chick Fil a if it's usually on Sunday. But those are my cheat meals.

[B]

But I just feel like people just.

[C]

Don'T realize we are going to have a cheat meal here and there. We do eat healthy throughout the weeks and throughout our training, but it's a long season, too.

[B]

But I also feel like I have dessert, like, three times a week. Or like, I don't know if anyone saw my story, but, like, I talk about Sour Patch Kids so much that I got six boxes of Sour Patch Kids and I am so excited.

[C]

I'm a big snacker. I love snacking.

[E]

So, yeah, DEZ is a huge snacker.

[B]

I love.

[C]

Anyone who knows me knows I love snacks.

[B]

If I'm practicing at home, sometimes I have bags of candy in my bag for, like, in the middle of practice because I'm like, sugar is carbs. It's fine. It's basically a performance food.

[E]

So I've seen it.

[C]

You have told me that she does.

[E]

She whips out the bag of Sour Patch Kids and has, like two or three.

[B]

And in Cincinnati, I had Sour Patch Kids in my bag, and I had to call the physio for something at one point, and she's watching me eat the Sour Patch Kids. And after the match, she was like, I love that you were doing that, because I don't know if you know, but the sugar and like, that, like, the sugar on the candy also makes you thirstier so you'll actually drink more. So that's actually phenomenal. Thank you. Also, kids. Superfood. That's what I'm hearing.

[D]

Every single tournament office has freaking bowls of candy. There's candy everywhere.

[C]

It's so hard not to.

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

Touch it.

[D]

In Brisbane this year, the player concierge lady gave me a bar of chocolate. I was like, why are you giving this to me? She's like, I don't know. Like, what? Why not? And I was like, okay, thanks. She literally just handed me a bar of chocolate. I was like, great, thanks.

[E]

I don't know. The best is. The best is at French Open. They have, like, the full size candy bars or like, chocolate bars. And then it's like. Like after, you know, after a match, after a loss, it's like you go in and you're like, yeah, give me two arrows. Can I get two of those back there? Yeah, yeah, I'll take two of those. And then you're just on the couch eating them.

[B]

Well, it's funny because I wish she.

[E]

Lost today.

[C]

But that's like when they have him back at Roland Garros. And then they're like, yeah, we have it back here because some girls, like, they don't want to go buy it in front of their. Their pst. Like, they want to go and buy it in the dining area. And I was like, wow, that's the reason why you guys have it back here. But I was like, this is great. You got Twix, Kinder, Bueno. You got everything. It's like a whole buffet of them. But. And it's funny because that AO the candy bowl always comes out after 1pm and it is always, like, it's never empty. But when you walk past Craig Tyler's office, he always stacks his office filled with candy, but it's always empty by the end of the day. Like, everyone goes in there. It's just.

[D]

Let us live our lives, guys. Yeah. Basically all we're saying, we're gonna have some candy.

[C]

We're gonna have snacks for human guys.

[B]

Candy, superfoods. I don't understand. Like, we're burning thousands of calories every day and we're burning carbs. Like, we gotta replenish. And I'll do that with my sour Patch kids.

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

Oh, yes.

[B]

Well, back to our original conversation, since DEZ is not.

[E]

You're not home.

[B]

Yeah. Oh, yeah.

[D]

Sorry.

[C]

Yes, I am not home.

[E]

Would you like to update us where you are?

[C]

Yes, I'm not home. Yes. Don't get to have those Sour Patch candies. I am actually in Abu Dhabi this week. I'm sorry. Starting my Middle east swing earlier than you guys. So I'm here this week, and then next week is Doha, then Dubai, and then I'm home. So it's a long stretch for me. But I think you guys. Where is everyone going after this week? You guys are home for a little bit.

[D]

Yeah. I think Maddie and I are only playing Dubai. Actually.

[B]

Skip Doha.

[D]

Such a. Well, there's one shorter, long flight for just a tournament.

[C]

One tournament?

[D]

Yeah. Because we came home. It's 12 hours for me. Probably the. For you, Maddie. It's like 12ish hours and short condensed time frame. In between, if you, like, can go somewhat deep@ao and then have to turn around, you'd have to probably go straight there. And I never was planning on doing that, so for me, I would have had to leave. Well, Maddie too, like Tuesday or Wednesday night, probably because you lose a day flying there. Yeah. So I was like, I just can't do that. I mean, I have a long swing coming up with Dubai, Austin, any Wild Miami, Charleston. So I think I'm. I'm okay. I mean, it sucks missing 1000, but.

[B]

And then even after. Even after Charleston, it's like, it's kind of only like a week before you have to go to the Euro swing, and then that's really long. And just think, sometimes you have to figure out what pockets you can have afford to. Yeah.

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

And I mean, it's just.

[D]

It's.

[C]

It's February, so it's crazy how long it.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

The season is.

[E]

It's.

[C]

We're still in the first quarter of the season, so it's. We have so many tournaments and like you guys said, it's really condensed and you have to, I mean, look out for yourself because you definitely don't want to burn out.

[B]

No.

[D]

Don't want to burn out in February.

[C]

Yeah, no, I mean, I think people already burnt out like, the second week of January. Oh, my gosh.

[B]

I said that in the physio room this year. I was like, there's so many of us in there. And I was like, week two, are we. Are we all okay? So we are going to move on to who am I? My. Who am I from? Last week was the second youngest player to earn a ranking total reign at number one, lasted over seven years and won a Golden Slam. Did anyone figure out who that was?

[E]

Honestly, Serena.

[B]

No.

[D]

I kind of forgot about this whole thing.

[E]

Sharapova.

[B]

Not Sharpa.

[D]

Monica. Sullis.

[C]

Martina.

[B]

Not Martina.

[C]

Martina.

[E]

You said Martina last time and she said no twice.

[B]

You also texted me when I gave you the clues.

[C]

She said it once. Jennifer. She said it once.

[B]

Okay, you also.

[E]

She said not Martina.

[B]

Twice. Martina. When I said it a week ago and I said, is there.

[C]

But there's two, aren't there? Two Martinas.

[B]

Well, which Martina are you talking about?

[D]

Steffi.

[B]

Steffi.

[C]

Oh.

[E]

Oh, doesn't matter. Martinez.

[B]

It's not Martino. Yeah, it's neither Martino.

[E]

Dang.

[B]

It does say Martino one more time.

[D]

Yeah.

[E]

If he's say Martina one more time.

[B]

Take a shot.

[E]

I'd be on the floor, rolling, seizing Steffi.

[D]

Wow, what a legend.

[E]

Yeah. Des would you like to give your who am I?

[C]

My who am I? Clues are. Played four full years of college tennis and won the NCAA singles championship for turning pro. Has earned his first top 10 win in his 30s and reached a career high ATP ranking after turning 30. Who am I?

[E]

Okay, moving on to some fan questions. First question from tennis camper. Who was the first one to come up with the idea for the. For the podcast?

[D]

Is that my fan page girl?

[E]

Yeah, that's your girl. While she's. She's got some good questions, shout out to her dedicated. She's locked. I feel like it was a mutual.

[B]

I feel like we mul. I think.

[E]

Yeah, I think it was.

[B]

Someone kind of said it as, like, a joke.

[E]

I think I may have joked about it.

[B]

And then we were like, should we? Yeah, why not?

[E]

Jess really locked in and she was the one who really got serious about it.

[D]

I set things in motion and then we started. But it definitely was a mutual kind of.

[E]

Yeah. And then. Fastest launch ever.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

Literally. Wow, that was wild.

[C]

It's like six days record time.

[B]

Yeah.

[E]

Sorry.

[B]

Okay, everyone who had to be a part of that.

[E]

Next question from Francis. Walking through the tunnel at Rod Laver Arena, Is there music or commentary or is it just silent and awkward?

[D]

It's kind of funny because we were just talking about this.

[B]

Yeah, we actually just talked about that the other day. I can't. I think in the. The previous years, I think they've always had, like, the commentary when you walk by, have they not? About, like, as you're passing each person, they have the player. It has like a clip of when they won their slam.

[D]

It's like an audio clip. So as you walk by, it plays, like, each person that you walk by, it's like a couple seconds. I don't know if they do every single one, but, like, pretty much they.

[B]

Do a lot of them. And it's like, it's cool. It'll be like when you pass, trying to think of who's at the end, like, Naomi. It's like, oh, and Naomi wins her first Australian Open. So you hear that and then two steps later, you hear when Ash won or Sabalenka or so on. But this year they have, like, that whole water video thing going on. And so you hear, like, ocean sounds. It's like waves and wind. As you're walking, it's.

[D]

And you're boxed in. They, like, close you off. So you're stuck in this room with just all of these, like, screens around you, and it's like ocean sounds. And I'm like, don't. I was not a fan. It's just a weird feeling.

[B]

I feel like I'm on a boat.

[D]

Yeah. And then when you open it, you walk in and then there's the players. And the commentary is still there. But they added that ocean thing. Now I don't. Wasn't a fan.

[E]

The audio clips new because when I played.

[D]

That's pretty cool.

[E]

Wait, no. Four years ago. Wait, no. Five years ago they didn't have that.

[D]

Yeah, it's cool. They've had the last. Maybe the last.

[B]

They've had it the last couple years, I think.

[E]

Okay, cool. All right. Well, thanks everyone for your fan questions. Thanks for tuning into the podcast. Please leave us a rating and review. It helps people find out about the podcast. And don't forget to watch us on the players box YouTube page, especially for Maddie's live reaction of eating cheese on pie. Apple pie. And send us fan questions on Instagram or to our email at the players box pod gmail dot com. Thank you. See you next week.