33 | Alex Eala in The Player’s Box

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Player’s Box – Episode 33

Guest: Alex Eala
Hosts: Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, Jennifer Brady, Desirae Krawczyk
Date: March 31, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Player’s Box welcomes Filipino tennis star Alex Eala for a lively, revealing discussion on her meteoric rise, life on tour, Filipino heritage, and her adaptation to fame. The hosts and Alex share behind-the-scenes stories, talk travel mishaps, tennis culture, and play several fun “get to know you” games that give listeners a candid look at both guest and hosts.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Getting to Know Alex Eala

• Alex joins from Miami. She’s en route to Spain before a run of European tournaments.
  [01:49]
• Origin of the podcast invite:
  Alex and Desirae recount how her dad’s listenership and some gentle coaxing got Alex on the show.
  “My dad was listening. You should get on the pod. I was like, oh my God, I love that.” – Alex [02:38]
• Alex’s first impressions:
  She expresses excitement and affection for The Player's Box, confirming she’s a regular viewer.
  “I love your guys show.” – Alex [02:51]

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2. Unforced Errors & Weekly Wins

The group starts off with their weekly ritual of sharing “Unforced Errors” (funny mishaps) and “Winners” (small victories):

• Madison:
  Admits to buying yet another water jug in the middle of the night.
  [03:02]
• Alex’s story:
  Shares a hilarious, slightly embarrassing “French accent” moment with her friend, overheard by Maddie in a hotel corridor.
  “Apparently my voice was highly elevated ... we turn around, Maddie's in the back and she heard everything. So now every time I see Maddie, I say, bonjour.” – Alex [03:56]
• Jenny & Desirae:
  Both have coffee disasters while visiting each other. Jenny's styrofoam cup collapses; Desirae's coffee for Jess is knocked over by dogs. [05:18-07:04]
• Matcha VS Coffee Debate:
  Alex is a matcha lover, Maddie a “proud matcha hater,” sparking some fun back-and-forth.
  “I'm proud Matcha lover. So, yes.” – Alex [08:28]
  “I'll come up with a different insult for next time!” – Maddie [08:47]

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3. Fame, Fan Support, and Navigating Stardom

The Filipino Wave

• On being recognized worldwide:
  Alex discusses the evolution of her fame and the surreal moments of international recognition.
  “I was in LA… to visit my cousin … three people came up to me. Two years ago, if you had told me that, I’d have said no.” [14:27]

• Best crowds:
  She singles out New York, Melbourne (Australia), Manila, and Dubai as having the most electric Filipino fan support.
  “Dubai is… yeah. The Middle East in general has a huge population of Filipinos.” – Alex [16:21]

• Overwhelming attention:
  She recalls being mobbed for autographs after practice in Australia with no security, and learning to request protection:
  “I just shouted, ‘give me some space or I’m gonna get run over!’” – Alex [17:23]

• Adjusting to the spectacle:
  Alex opens up about how sudden celebrity status was both thrilling and daunting.
  “Who am I to need security? ... I don’t want to feel like my head’s here, you know?” [19:08]

• Tournament impacts:
  Maddie notes how Alex’s presence filled stadiums, especially in Dubai, offsetting criticism about absent top players.
  “Your stadium is literally more full than it’s ever been because of Alex.” – Maddie [20:48]

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4. Filipino Pride & Upbringing

• Most Filipino thing at tournaments:
  Prayer before matches and “religious” sunscreen application. [21:45]

• If the hosts visited the Philippines:
  Alex would first take them to Boracay’s beaches and to the old “shell court” tennis courts where she learned, which had basketball hoops near the baseline—shaping her style to play more on the baseline.
  “If I move back ... I hit the pole, so I would stay on the baseline and I wouldn’t go back.” – Alex [24:44]

• Essential Filipino foods:

  • Puta bongbong (purple rice cake with coconut and sugar)
  • Sapin-sapin (three-layered sticky rice cake)
  • Both part of a massive “kakanin” dessert tradition.
    “We love rice in the Philippines. So our desserts—we have a lot.” – Alex [26:01]

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5. Training, Social Life & Life in Spain

• Nike partnership:
  Alex recounts the surprise of wearing a kit designed with the Philippine national flower at Wimbledon.
  “It was just so beautiful … the stars aligned for me that week.” [26:42]
• Transition to Rafa Nadal Academy in Spain:
  At age 12, after winning a French junior tournament, Alex was invited to train in Spain.
  “I saw it as the opportunity of a lifetime.” – Alex [27:41]
• Making friends on tour:
  • The challenge of sustaining friendships while constantly traveling.
  • Alex names Victoria Mvoko and Eva Jovic as good friends.
  • All agree the young generation’s camaraderie is strong and vital for wellbeing. “Having that support, that female support around the tour is super healthy.” – Alex [32:47]

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6. Social Anxiety, Small Talk, & Social Games

The hosts and Alex play a game about social preferences and locker room etiquette:

• Easiest to talk to:
  Consensus: Jenny Brady, with “inside jokes for everyone.”
  “She makes her way around a room … inside jokes with everyone.” – Maddie [34:26]
• Returning serve or starting small talk harder?
  Alex: “If it’s Maddie’s serve, that’s definitely harder!” [35:34]
• Small talk defaults:
  • “Do you play today?” or “What did you do for dinner?” are common safe topics. [38:43]
• Navigating social situations:
  Most would stick close to someone they know at a crowded dinner before branching out. [39:24]
• Karaoke night:
  Desirae leads the pack with enthusiasm. Alex says it’s a Filipino thing but claims, “I do not sing well … but I’ll grab the mic depending who I’m with.” [46:04]

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7. Celebrity Encounters & Pop Culture

• Who still makes Alex starstruck:
  “Venus [Williams]. Every time I see her, she’s just got the aura.” [47:10]
• Actors to meet:
  Jennifer Lawrence (misheard as JLo at first!), because of Hunger Games fandom. [47:49]
• Influencers/Musicians:
  Jake Shane (podcaster), Olivia Dean, Bad Bunny. Alex confesses she’s never been to a concert but wants to go.
  “Never been to a concert.” – Alex [49:17]
• Dream athlete to meet:
  “Manny Pacquiao. He’s obviously the Filipino icon.” [49:26]
• Celebrity crush:
  Alex remains coy and refuses to reveal: “No, we’re not diving into this topic.” [50:06]

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8. Locker Room Anecdotes

• Jenny shares being so intimidated by Serena Williams at the French Open she abandoned her locker mid-cleanup.
  “I left my boxes, my locker open, because I was like—I just need to get out…so intimidated by her presence.” – Jenny [51:54]
• Maddie tells a story of Coco Gauff’s perpetually broken locker in Australia, adding humor to backstage life. [53:11]

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9. Fan Q&A

• Junior advice for mental growth:
  Consensus: carry out the same routines at higher levels—go to your towel, reset, manage composure. [55:56]
• Dealing with crowd noise/distractions:
  The pros mostly “drown it out.” If they start noticing outside noise, it means they’re distracted or not playing well.
  “If I notice other sounds, things are not good.” – Maddie [56:40]

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Notable Quotes

• “Once I actually found out it was serious… I’d love to go [to Rafa Nadal Academy]. I saw it as the opportunity of a lifetime.” – Alex [28:18]
• “When I would travel … I’m still spending a lot of time apart from friends. Social life is something I’ve had to work on.” – Alex [29:35]
• “Prayer before matches … and religiously put sunscreen on. That is a super Filipino thing.” – Alex [21:45]
• “Venus [Williams] … Every time I see her, she’s just got the aura.” – Alex [47:10]
• “Having that support, that female support around the tour is super healthy.” – Alex [32:47]
• “I have dogs named after me.” – Alex’s “Who am I?” game clue [55:24]

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Memorable Moments & Segment Timestamps

• Alex’s fake French accent moment: [03:56]
• First overwhelmed by fans/security story: [17:23]
• Cultural stories—Filipino courts/food: [24:44, 25:30]
• Nike/national flower kit for Wimbledon: [26:42]
• Locker room Serena story: [51:54]
• Celebrity Starstruck/Venus: [47:10]
• “Who am I” Game: [54:36]
• Fan Q&A begins: [55:44]

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Overall Tone & Takeaways

The episode is warm, teasing, self-deprecating, and celebratory—emphasizing camaraderie, shared mishaps, and affection for the tennis community. Alex is candid and charming, offering perspective on the joys and pressures of sudden international fame, the intensity of Filipino fan support, and her determination to grow on and off the court.

Listeners walk away with a sense of how real, funny, and supportive the WTA locker room can be, and gain insight into the unique journey of a rising tennis star rooted in Filipino culture.

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End of summary.

Transcript

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[Madison Keys]

This is the players box.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Hey, everybody. Welcome to the players box. I'm Desiree Krafczyk. We've got Jenny Brady, Madison Keys, and Jess Pagula. As a friendly reminder, please give our podcast five stars and subscribe on YouTube. We have a very special guest today. She's a young rising star on the WT tour and she proudly represents the Philippines. Alex Ayala is joining us in the players box. Welcome.

[Alex Ayala]

Hi.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Did. Did I say your last name right?

[Alex Ayala]

Yes, you did say it right.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Okay, good.

[Alex Ayala]

I'm proud as a fellow Filipino, you know.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Okay, thank you. I was trying so hard to get it right. Alex, where are you joining us from?

[Alex Ayala]

Right now I am in Miami. I'm in the hotel lobby.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Nice. The only one there. What's next for you? Do you go home or are you playing another tournament coming up soon?

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah. So I go back to Spain tonight, and then I start again in lims and maybe Stuttgart. And then the whole thing. Madrid, Rome.

[Maddie]

Nice.

[Alex Ayala]

Exciting.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

All the grind. Who convinced you to come on the podcast?

[Alex Ayala]

You.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Was it.

[Alex Ayala]

No.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Wait, was it actually me?

[Alex Ayala]

I mean. Yes.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

When did I ask you?

[Jenny Brady]

I mean, it.

[Alex Ayala]

It was not a lot of convincing or. It was kind of. It was just, like, brought up and I just. Yes.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

I think I forgot where we were. But I think you. I was like, yeah. Oh, no. Your dad was listening.

[Alex Ayala]

You should get on the pod. And I was like, oh my God, I love that.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

And your dad watches.

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

The pod and listens to it. And so we were like, we have to get you on the pod. And you were like, oh, my God, I'm so excited.

[Alex Ayala]

I love your guys show.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Well, you're here now, so. Well, we start our show off our podcast with an unforced error of the week. Or if you have a winner. So I'm going to start with Maddie.

[Madison Keys]

You know, I'm kind of crushing it and I don't really have an unforced error. I think the only thing that I could say is that my addiction to giant water jugs that have straws in them has really gotten out of control. And I, like couldn't sleep last night and I was on Amazon and I was just like scrolling. And then I saw this one that could come at 4am and I said, purchase. And I was opening it this morning and Bjorn was like, is that new? And I was like, no, I've had this. It's definitely mine that I've had forever. It's not from the front porch this morning. So. Yeah, that's just. I guess mine is like purchasing things at 2am when I can't sleep. Alex.

[Alex Ayala]

So mine involves Maddie. It was, I don't know, maybe last week and I'm staying here with a. I stayed here with a friend and we were on our way to the bus and I opened the door for her and I don't know, as a joke, I was just like, sibu tle. You know, like, please go first. I said, si boutle like this. And then she started kind of like making fun of me or we started laughing and she's like, oh, so you're French now? Oh, you're French is so good. And then I leaned into it and we were walking to the elevator and it was like. Apparently my voice was highly elevated and I started saying all these French things, like these basic, basic French phrases. I was like, bonjour. Como ta rebou? I was like, it was pretty loud. I was like, you know, rendezvous. I was like that for a good like 30 seconds. We turn around, Maddie's in the back and she heard everything. And we just started laughing. It was so embarrassing. So now every time I see Maddie, I say, bonjour.

[Maddie]

So cute.

[Alex Ayala]

Aww.

[Madison Keys]

And it was so funny because as soon as she saw me, she was like, I have my unforced error for the week. I know what it is. So I was like, I'm not gonna tell anyone else.

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah, it was so Funny. Oh, my God, that's awesome.

[Maddie]

Jenny, you wanna go?

[Jenny Brady]

Actually, my unforced error happened this morning. Me and DEZ went to go get coffee at Cafe Encanto, and I got a cortado and. And it was in a styrofoam cup. And I went to take the lid off to take a sip and then put the lid back on because I was getting back in the car. And when I was putting the lid on, I pressed down on the cup and it literally the sides, both sides of the cup smashed, like, like cracked in half. And then the coffee just started leaking everywhere. I have a photo. You see how it just is pouring out on the sides. So then I had to go tell them, and they actually gave me a new one. So that was very nice of them. Desiree.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

I also had a coffee incident this morning. It happened after this one. I'm staying at Jess house and I brought her coffee. Cause I'm a nice house guest, so I figured I should bring her coffee. She wanted to sleep in. And I come in through the door and she's got three dogs and. And they were so excited to see me. So one of them got up and jumped on me and knocked over Jess's sea salt latte. All over the floor, all over the ground.

[Maddie]

And I was like.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

I almost made it to Jess's countertop, but yeah, so it was all over the floor.

[Maddie]

It was actually Des the dog. She was just so excited to see human. Des jumped up and knocked all.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Oh, there it is.

[Maddie]

There's the picture.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Looks like throw up, but there it is. Um, so that was my unforced error. Sorry, Jess.

[Alex Ayala]

For your dog.

[Maddie]

I don't really have an unforced air, but that kind of. We kind of had a joint. Unforced air, I'd say, because that was my coffee. And then I was really upset that I didn't have my sea salt iced latte, which I was craving since two days ago when it was closed and we couldn't get it.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

I at least brought the empanadas. So, yeah, that was a win.

[Maddie]

They were good. Wait, Jenny, is that why you kept complaining about the cups?

[Jenny Brady]

Yeah, I sent like a venting text.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

These cups suck.

[Jenny Brady]

Wtf. Who uses Styrofoam? Blah, blah, blah. And not even that. It was the lid. You can't even like, sip out of the lid. You have to take the lid off to drink out of it. And then that's when I went to put the lid back on. But, like, you have to put the lid on and you have to be a little bit forceful. And I think I was a little too much. And I like smashed the cup literally down like it was like, oh. And I was like, oh, no. And I just looked at DEZ and she was like.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

And then Jenny went and asked for a new one. She kind of could have.

[Jenny Brady]

No. I said no, I couldn't. As soon as I picked it up, the whole. All of it just came.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Or sorry. I said you could take the styrofoam cup. Another one and then.

[Jenny Brady]

But yeah. Anyways.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Alex, you drink coffee or are you Matcha drinker?

[Alex Ayala]

Oh, I'm Matcha. I'm not a big coffee. I'm not a big coffee person. And I think I saw. Okay, one of you was hating on Matcha.

[Maddie]

Maddie.

[Madison Keys]

Proud Matcha hater.

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah. Okay. I'm proud Matcha lover. So, yes. Yeah, I never got into the coffee thing.

[Jenny Brady]

Maddie, what do you call Matcha?

[Madison Keys]

I just feel like it kind of

[Alex Ayala]

tastes like unoriginal insult. Unoriginal insult, Maddie.

[Maddie]

So funny.

[Madison Keys]

Fair enough. I'll work on it. I'll come up with a different insult so next time I see you with a good one.

[Alex Ayala]

And then I'll think of one for coffee.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

In French too?

[Maddie]

Yeah, in French.

[Madison Keys]

Yes, in French.

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah. I think the French would definitely lean on the coffee side.

[Maddie]

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[Desiree Krafczyk]

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[Maddie]

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[Desiree Krafczyk]

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[Jenny Brady]

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[Desiree Krafczyk]

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[Madison Keys]

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[Jenny Brady]

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[Desiree Krafczyk]

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[Maddie]

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[Maddie]

All right, well, Alex, it's no secret that you have an insane amount of fan support. I think we've all seen that. I got to experience that playing you last year at Miami Open when it was your breakout tournament. And I'm playing, like, at home, and I was like, why is nobody cheering for me? Like, literally not one person in center court, like, night match. And so I think since then, though, now we know that you tend to pack a stadium. You're the highest ranked Filipino in WTA history. When did you first have the feeling when you're playing in, like, a full stadium, now that you've played in many, that you're like, wow, I'm kind of famous.

[Alex Ayala]

I didn't want to believe it at first because I feel like once you. Because I had a couple, especially this past year when I play in the big tournaments, like, the Filipinos will show up. For me, it's just an amazing thing to have. But it's hard to believe that you're, like, famous. And then I think this year, everything just was elevated even more. Like, Australia, my port was. I was in this small court and I saw some videos afterwards. It was just. It was just crazy. It was madness. And then this year, we've hit spots that have just been super Filipino packed around the world. And so I went home to Manila. Melbourne's full of Filipinos. The Middle east is super, super full of Filipinos. So I think, yeah, I think it just gradually, gradually started to sink in. And when I kind of accepted that I was. That I was sort of a famous personality, then it became easier to handle.

[Maddie]

You can say it. You're famous. What has. What has changed about your life now

[Alex Ayala]

that you are famous so much, yet not, Not. Not as much as you'd think. Like, yeah, because the day to day is still very similar in terms of, like, I'm still training, still all my life, still all about Dennis, but with the added just exposure, you know what I mean? So especially I notice it a lot more when I'm at home. But the things that have changed now is that when I'm in different countries, like, in different cities that aren't in the Philippines, like, I'll get recognized. And that is like, oh, like, I was in LA and then to visit my cousin, and then, like, three people came up to me. And like, two years ago, if you had told me that I'd be in LA and people were, like, asking for pictures, like, no, you know what I mean?

[Desiree Krafczyk]

It was me, you guys.

[Alex Ayala]

I was disappointed. I was disappointed.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Oh, my gosh. Sorry.

[Maddie]

You brought up Australia already when. I mean, I feel like that was definitely, like, a big moment when people were, like, lining up to get onto your court when you're. I think you were playing Alicia Parks, right.

[Alex Ayala]

Yes.

[Maddie]

And then I. In Dubai, I. You know, we. Des and I were both in Dubai, and you could hear your match from the hotel, which was really funny. My coach was like. Like, I heard this noise outside, and, like, I didn't know. I was like, what is going on? Like, I haven't heard this, like, loud noise at all. And then he looks and he's like. It was for Alex's match. It was wild. Where do you feel, like, so. So far that you've played? I'm sure there's still some places you haven't played. Do you think you have the most support?

[Alex Ayala]

I think New York is a big one. New York was big. Melbourne at home and Dubai. Yeah.

[Maddie]

Were your biggest.

[Alex Ayala]

And you had.

[Maddie]

Yeah.

[Alex Ayala]

That.

[Maddie]

I felt like Dubai was.

[Alex Ayala]

Dubai is. Yeah. The Middle east in general has a huge population of Filipinos, and. And not a lot of people know that, I guess, because I had no idea. Yeah. I was talking to one of the players in the physio, and it was before going to Abu Dhabi, and she was like, yeah, no, if you have a crowd there, you have a crowd. Like, you'll have a crowd anywhere. Because apparently they're known for, like, the Middle east tournaments are known for not being as packed as some of the other tournaments. And I told her. I was like, wait, you don't even know. You don't even know the number of Filipinos that are there. So it's like the opposite thing. So maybe in those areas, that's where I have the most crown. Instead of work for other players, that's where they would maybe have the least.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Every stadium was completely filled in Abu Dhabi. Every, like, completely filled. People were waiting for Alex, just waiting for her.

[Alex Ayala]

That's another thing I had to get used to is my practices. That's how I knew. I was like, okay, things have changed. Is when they're waiting for my practices. And in Australia, okay, this was. So at the beginning of the year was, like, a little overwhelming for me in terms of that exposure. So in Australia, in the npc, I trained outside, and I trained in one of the courts that was like, you know, there's the bleachers on the side, and then there's kind of this ramp going up so here. And I did not have security, which next time I will probably. I will probably make sure they're there. But after training. So it was full. I came in. It was full, and I went out of the court. And the traffic of people is coming from here because they want to get me to sign. I couldn't move right. And there's a wall back here. And if the traffic of people was coming from here and they couldn't see what was happening over there, they're all just pushing. They're all kind of like pushing you against the wall. And I was getting closer and closer to the wall. I was like, oh, that's kind of dangerous. And then I was with my dad and my coach, and I just shouted. I was like, wait. He's like, give me some space. Give me some space or I'm gonna, like, get run over. And then they all stopped, and I, like, made my way through.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Do you remember in Australia when you came into the locker room after that practice, you were like, oh, my gosh, this, like, so many people. And I was like, you know, you can ask for security. And she's like, wait, really? And I was like, yes, ask for security. And so then you went out to practice and she. You came back.

[Alex Ayala]

I forgot where.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

I think you were practicing on one of the main courts. And you were like, oh, my gosh, the security helped so much. And I was like, yeah, like, you're.

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Crazy.

[Alex Ayala]

I think that was also part of me not accepting it. Is that, like. Like, I'm. Who am I to need security? You know what I mean? I'm going to practice, and then I just, like. I don't want to feel like my head's like, here, you know?

[Maddie]

Yeah.

[Alex Ayala]

You know, it's a safety thing.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Yeah.

[Alex Ayala]

It changes the vibe. But then when it comes to safety,

[Madison Keys]

I would imagine it's probably a little different, too, because obviously, it's not like you had a lot of time on tour before it went from, who is that? To oh, my God, it's Alex. So I would imagine it's still, like, all kind of new, but then at the same time, it was an extra layer of new added on top of that.

[Alex Ayala]

Yes, exactly. That's exactly how it is. But you know what? I think it. I think I was kind of. I'm well equipped enough as. As well equipped as I could be to handle this. This kind of. All this attention. Because I think even when I was, like, lower, there would be some people, like, that would come, like, Filipinos would come to support me even when I was in Quali. It's just that I didn't imagine that. Well, first of all, I did imagine that I'd get to this point by this. At this time, but I think I didn't also think about the amount of people that would be rallying behind me.

[Maddie]

Well, it was pretty cool. From my side, because when we played Dubai, obviously the tournament director made some not great comments about some top players not playing, and I was kind of like, what are you talking about? Like, there was, like, a lot of top 10 players that were still, like, in the semifinals, and I think you lost in the quarters.

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah.

[Maddie]

And so he wrote actually, like, this note to. I won't say who, but basically saying that they actually did great that tournament, mostly because of you doing well and having, like, a very high attendance at center court, and. Which is kind of, like, my whole point. When I. When he kind of made those comments, I was like, what are you guys talking about? Like, you're having, like, your stadium is literally more full than it's ever been because of Alex. Yeah, I was. So it was kind of funny how we were missing a couple top players, but you kind of carried the attendance that week, so it was kind of a. It was a cool moment.

[Alex Ayala]

I mean. Yeah. I wouldn't. I don't know. Yeah. I don't know.

[Maddie]

You don't have to say.

[Alex Ayala]

I don't know.

[Maddie]

Yeah. We're just saying. It's just.

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah. Congrats, by the way.

[Maddie]

Thank you. All right. What is the most Filipino thing you've ever done at a tournament?

[Alex Ayala]

Pre. When I got really nervous, I definitely used to do it a lot more when I was younger.

[Maddie]

And that's, like, a very Filipino thing to, like, pray in stressful moments.

[Alex Ayala]

Yes. That is a super Filipino thing. Another is, like, my sun sunscreen. I am religiously. I put sunscreen on Religiously. Yeah.

[Maddie]

Okay.

[Alex Ayala]

Interesting. I would say that's another Filipino.

[Jenny Brady]

Des, are you doing these things?

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Yeah, I religiously put sunscreen on me. Yes. I don't think I'm praying that much, but can't come for my mom is when she gets stressed, she will hold her rosary and just, you know, she will go to.

[Maddie]

Yeah.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

She will stop praying.

[Maddie]

She's very like.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Yeah. Every time, every day. So, yeah.

[Maddie]

If you were to drop us, me, Maddie, Des, and Jenny in the Philippines, what is the first thing that you'd make us do?

[Alex Ayala]

Oh, my God. In Manila.

[Maddie]

Where?

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Wherever you think you can drop us at Boracay Island. That's fine, too.

[Alex Ayala]

I was just gonna say, I mean, everyone. Yeah. Boracay is, like, the. One of the most famous places, like, one of the most famous beaches the go. And some people say it's overrated, but I can smash that rumor. It's, like, my favorite. It's not overrated. It's correctly rated. Yeah. So I'd probably take you guys there. And if you were in Manila, I'd take you to like one of the tennis courts that I grew up in and I'd show you. Like, I'd show you. We call it shell court. Oh, yeah, shell court at pca. And so, yeah, so it's. We don't. Like, there's. It's kind of like a clay court, but clay is hard to source in the Philippines, so it's kind of like crushed up shells and. And sand and it's color brown. So we have a lot of that. But the one, the. The club I grew up in, specifically, like, there's one hardboard that's like ages old and it's like half basketball court. You know what I mean? So. So it's like a tennis court. And then the basketball court lines are also there. And then there's the. Obviously the two hoops. Hoops on the side, two hoops on the back. And it's like a couple meters from the baseline. So I grew up in that court. So everyone like. So I hit very flat, right. In general. And. And when. Especially when I was younger, I guess that's what I would attribute my playing style to is that if I move back and I usually had a. I hit the pole, so I would stay on the baseline and I wouldn't go back. So I will show you guys that. And. And like, the court is just like, you know, the Dubai practice courts. Yeah, basically like that. It's like.

[Maddie]

Oh, I would like, just.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Just likes that.

[Madison Keys]

Just would love it.

[Jenny Brady]

I would. I would be hitting the back fence with my forehead.

[Madison Keys]

I would pay money to watch Alex and Jess play on that court.

[Maddie]

I love flat ball hitters right on the baseline, like, fast.

[Alex Ayala]

Oh, my gosh, yes. Jess, your ball is super low. It's super low.

[Maddie]

You probably thought you hit really flat and then you're like, oh, sue, what is that?

[Madison Keys]

No, it's like.

[Alex Ayala]

Because it's also hard to hit a flat ball off another flat. Like an even more flat ball. So, yeah, it's hard to play against Jess in general.

[Maddie]

I had the same feeling against your ball. I was like, holy crap, this girl takes the ball so early. What is going on? Now I know why. Because of the basketball.

[Alex Ayala]

It's the basketball hoops. Basketball hoops.

[Maddie]

Okay. What about a Filipino food that everyone needs to try? We've talked about this a little bit, but it.

[Alex Ayala]

I have. I would go the sweet route. So I haven't. Yeah. So I would have you guys try. My favorite is puta bombong. It's like A purple rice cake, I would say. And they have butter on top and, like, coconut sugar and, like, coconut things and cane sugar. And then it's very typical for Christmas, but I have it all the time.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Do you like sapin? Sapin.

[Alex Ayala]

I love sapin. Sapin.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

So this is like a right. Like a sticky, like.

[Alex Ayala]

I don't know, it's like a three layered. It's a three layered. Like another rice cake, if you couldn't tell. We love rice in Philippines. So our desserts, we have a lot. We have a lot of rice desserts. They're called kakanyin, so those two fall under that category.

[Maddie]

Yeah, that sounds good. Yeah. We'll have to do a. A Filipino food snack thing.

[Alex Ayala]

Oh, my gosh.

[Maddie]

With you specifically, so you can. I would love that. What was it like designing a kit with Nike that included the national flower of the Philippines. I didn't even know that that happened. That's so cool.

[Alex Ayala]

That was actually a surprise for me. So I was in Eastbourne, I think, the day before my final or the night before, and my agent sent me over this kind of PDF and it was the presentation of this sample Gita project that Nike had made. It was like three days, two nights before my match in Wimbledon. And it was so beautiful. It was like. It was like the message behind it was great. I felt that it fit me so much. And, I mean, I was so lucky that I got to play on center. And it was just like everything, like, the stars aligned for me. The stars really aligned for me that week. I mean, would have aligned even more if I'd won, but. But I was just so happy to be there. And I was, like, wearing my little flower and then. Oh, my gosh, it was insane.

[Madison Keys]

Obviously, you grew up in the Philippines. How did you end up at the Rafa Academy in Spain?

[Alex Ayala]

So I. I joined this French tournament. French tournament as a wild card, like the tennis year les tattoo tasks. And I went there. I was 12, and I won it. And after that, a couple months after, the academy, reached out to my parents. And, yeah, there are sisters, three. So I remember my dad told me that, like, when he was driving me to school one day, that they reached out and I was like, oh, I did. At first, I don't think I really took it seriously. I didn't think it was, like a serious inquiry just because I was 13. I was 12, 13. And then. But once I actually found out that it was serious, I was like, yeah, no. No questions asked. Like, I'd love to go. I saw it as the Opportunity of a lifeline at the time.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Maddie, you've done. You went to academy when you were younger?

[Alex Ayala]

Yep.

[Madison Keys]

Yeah, I went to ever Academy.

[Alex Ayala]

Me and Maddie started.

[Madison Keys]

Started when I was 10. Met Jay braids over there.

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah. Wow.

[Madison Keys]

And, yeah, we were both, like 10.

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah.

[Jenny Brady]

I think maybe. I think you were there probably a year to year and a half, maybe before I got there.

[Madison Keys]

Yeah. I mean, I really loved the academy life. I thought it was super fun just because obviously you're practicing so much, but I think it was really, I think, good for me, personally, just to still kind of have a social life and feel a little bit more normal. As normal as you can when you're practicing, like five hours a day. Did you have a similar experience? Like, did you really enjoy academy life or. I also know. I can't imagine how hard it would have been to move from the Philippines to Spain at such a young age.

[Alex Ayala]

I really did enjoy academy life, and I moved with my brother for the first two or three years until he graduated high school. So that definitely made it easier. Yeah. I feel like I've built so many amazing friendships, friendships that are so important to me there. And I guess with the social life part, it didn't. It didn't fix it. Complete. I mean, was not completely the. The highlight of. Of that time, I guess. I. It was. It was amazing. Don't get me wrong. I got so many friends, but something I still had to work on because when I would travel, and obviously you guys will probably relate to this more than me, but you travel a lot, and then sometimes my friends don't go to the same tournaments as me. So in the end of the day, I'm still spending a lot of time, like, apart from them. So it's something I've had to work on. But looking back at it, I just had so much fun. It was great.

[Maddie]

Yeah. You seem like someone that's very social.

[Alex Ayala]

I love that because I adopt something. Yeah. But that's something I've definitely had to work on, I think. And especially this year, I've tried to make it the point to be more social because I figured, like, if you're not gonna. If you're not the one that's gonna be more social, they're not gonna come. Like, the friends aren't gonna come to you. You know, you have to, like, go out and make them. So. Yeah.

[Jenny Brady]

Yeah.

[Alex Ayala]

So I made a couple of friends. Yeah.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

It can be intimidating.

[Alex Ayala]

Oh, really?

[Desiree Krafczyk]

No, no, no, no. I'm saying it can be intimidating coming into the WTA Tour, like, young and doing so well, and you just see a bunch of players with their own team, and you're kind of like, hey.

[Alex Ayala]

And you're like, you know, I think. I think that my success in tennis has given me a little bit more confidence to approach other people. I don't know if you guys can relate to that, but definitely, like, yeah, just as my ranking or as I'm on tour more, let's say, as I'm able to be more on tour, then it gave me a bit more confidence to kind of approach the other girls and. Yeah.

[Jenny Brady]

Yeah, for sure. Well, you. You're very approachable, so.

[Alex Ayala]

Yes. Thank you.

[Maddie]

Thank you very.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Who are you, like, your closest friends on tour?

[Alex Ayala]

I would say. Victoria Mvoko, Eva Jovic. I'm also good friends with her and the list goes on. But then, like, because I've gotten this question a couple of times, and if I miss anybody, like, they start texting me, like, oh, God. Okay. So I love the whole wt.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Well, you're getting more social, which is good. So that's perfect.

[Alex Ayala]

Yes.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

It seems like you guys are all around the same age anyways and doing. Pushing each other and all that, but

[Maddie]

I think it's so cute, like, all you guys are, like, the same age. You're all, like, playing amazing. You all make me feel really old and you're all, like, friends, I think. I don't know. I think it's so nice. It's so refreshing to see.

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah, I think it's super healthy, though, because the way our lives are built as professional tennis players, it's definitely not normal. And you don't have that space to grow your social life and in. Through a routine, you know, through the routine of being at home all the time and building that. That web of connections there. So I think having that support, that female support around the tour is super

[Desiree Krafczyk]

healthy and it helps you kind of just like. Like we're all, like, we hang out or just outside of tennis as well. I mean, it's. It definitely helps stressful times of matches and practices.

[Alex Ayala]

For sure.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

It balances out anything else. So.

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah.

[Jenny Brady]

Okay. Well, we're going to move into a little game, have some fun. So it's. All of us are going to engage here. It's called y social game.

[Alex Ayala]

So amazing me,

[Jenny Brady]

who on tour is the easiest person to talk to right away.

[Madison Keys]

I would say Jenny Brady is one of the easiest people to talk to because she walks into a room and everyone's like, oh, my God, Jenny. And it's like one person starts and then she just kind of, like, makes her way around a room and has, like, inside jokes with everyone. It's truly one of the wildest things to experience.

[Alex Ayala]

Can't confirm.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Jenny.

[Maddie]

Yeah. Honestly, I have to say Jenny, because it's so true. She just, like, is always, always has an inside joke with everybody. It literally doesn't matter. Jenny, are you getting read around a room? Like, she lingers around the room to, like, make sure she gets in her joke with, like, each person that she knows.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

So watch out.

[Madison Keys]

Alex.

[Maddie]

Yeah. You're next.

[Alex Ayala]

I don't have one. Okay, we'll make one. We'll make one.

[Jenny Brady]

We'll get there.

[Alex Ayala]

We'll get there. Okay. So I, I. Jenny. I guess everyone said Jenny.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

No, but you pick whoever you think from your own.

[Alex Ayala]

Okay. Okay. I think Ellen Perez is super approachable.

[Maddie]

Nice.

[Jenny Brady]

Great.

[Maddie]

Ellen's very. She's very chatty.

[Alex Ayala]

Yes. Yeah, she is. I think that makes it easier if you're an introvert. Yeah. Because then she can do the talking and you just. You can. Yeah, you can agree and listen attentively.

[Maddie]

Okay.

[Madison Keys]

What's harder? Returning serve or starting small talk at a player party?

[Alex Ayala]

Depends who serve. Because if it's mine, then it's not, you know, the player's party is definitely harder. If it's Maddie's. If it's Maddie's, then yeah, obviously that's harder.

[Madison Keys]

That's hilarious.

[Alex Ayala]

Choose your battles here.

[Jenny Brady]

Yeah, I kind of agree. Guess it depends on who's serving. Not that I agree if it's Alex serve.

[Alex Ayala]

But it's okay. It's just because you haven't laid me up, but you'll agree with me.

[Maddie]

Your surf was hard to return. I don't know what you're talking about.

[Alex Ayala]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[Maddie]

The low. Lefty. You. Both of you are lefty. I just. Wait, I just thought about that. Desi serve is annoying too low. Yeah, Lefty little.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

That's my personality.

[Maddie]

How do I get this?

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Nobody likes that slice out wide.

[Jenny Brady]

The Filipino slider.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Yeah, we're gonna rename it.

[Alex Ayala]

I love that. I love that.

[Maddie]

Okay, do you prefer one on one combos or big groups settings? Jenny, you go first. Alex, go last.

[Jenny Brady]

This is tough. I think it depends who it's with. I do love a group maybe of like, my comfort level is maybe three more people. So this group of four people total, including myself. So group of

[Alex Ayala]

group.

[Jenny Brady]

Group of four. Otherwise one on one.

[Madison Keys]

Oh, four including yourself is five.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

But yeah, we're back to counting.

[Alex Ayala]

Wrong.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Oh, gosh. Does I kind of like a one on one conversation? You Know it's kind of just more intimate and get to like, I don't know. Oh, Jenny doesn't like that. She's, she's no ptsd, I guess. But I like a one on one.

[Maddie]

Yeah, nice. Maddie.

[Madison Keys]

Probably one on one. Large groups kind of stress me out. I don't really like large crowds or anything like that. So I would say one on one or like just the group chat, you know, can't get too big.

[Maddie]

I think I, I'm kind of good with like both.

[Jenny Brady]

Yeah.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Yeah. I kind of like both too. I think group for me it's nice to just in doses sometimes.

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah, I love a good group but I just find myself more always just having one on ones. But I do enjoy a good group conversation. It's funny when, when one makes a joke and the other makes a joke off the first one's joke and then. Yeah, you just have good banter.

[Jenny Brady]

Yeah.

[Maddie]

Yeah.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Okay. What's your safe topic? When you don't know what to say like oh, when's your match? Or how's the weather? I don't know.

[Alex Ayala]

Wait, you can't expose that.

[Maddie]

If I use it, they'll know that you're like.

[Alex Ayala]

Then they'll know. They'll know.

[Maddie]

I think I always just go towards like, oh, do you play today? Oh, nice. Good luck. Bye.

[Jenny Brady]

Oh, I'm like, oh, what did you do for dinner?

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Or

[Jenny Brady]

would it. I don't know, something about food.

[Alex Ayala]

That's not going to be a hard stretch. I would just go, Jenny loves food.

[Jenny Brady]

Yeah, I think I go with something that like I'm more comfortable talking about. I don't really, I don't really have a safe topic. I just won't talk if I don't feel safe.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Just run away.

[Jenny Brady]

Yeah, I just walk right by, I guess. I don't know. You walk into a dinner and realize you only know one person. Do you stick to them or branch out? I go straight for them. I don't even look around. I see DEZ sitting at the table. I'm like, oh, straight.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Prime target.

[Jenny Brady]

Jesse, Maddie, any one of them. I'm going straight to them and not even looking around.

[Alex Ayala]

Agreed.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

I think I like would want like look around and then if I don't see anyone then I'm just all happily just, I don't know, sip of myself. I don't know if I'd stick to some one person I feel like does.

[Maddie]

You could definitely branch out. You're like a social butterfly.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

I mean, yeah, I could branch out but I'm. Yeah, but I think I've gotten more like, I'll just be by myself. I'll just eat in silent or whatever.

[Maddie]

Yeah, I think I would just sit next to someone that I knew. I mean, I'd be okay with, like, sitting with someone else if I had to, but I definitely would go to the person I know first.

[Alex Ayala]

I would definitely go straight for the person I know. And then maybe we could branch out together if we feel like it. But then. But then I just always need, like, if I know someone, like, boom. Okay, you're sticking with me. Yeah. No awkward pauses here. I don't need to ask who you're playing in the draw.

[Madison Keys]

I think I would go directly to the person that I know and not even clock who else is in the room. It would just be like, oh, person I know. Done. And, like, the amount of times people are like, you walked right by me today, and you didn't even, like, say anything. And I'm like, didn't even. Don't even remember passing by you today because I saw one person, and it was locked. Well, I guess we kind of already talked about this. Someone says your name wrong, do you correct them or do you let it slide? We all know what Dez's answer is.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Can you tell me what my answer

[Alex Ayala]

is going to be?

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Because let's see if you actually. If it's right.

[Madison Keys]

Well, if we remember, someone called your name wrong on the court. And what did you say?

[Desiree Krafczyk]

That's not my name.

[Jenny Brady]

It's crap.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Check. Well, okay, hang on. In my defense, you know, it's a stressful situation. It's on the WTA website, like, and I'm in the heat of, you know, maybe a deuce point. It's probably five all. And I don't know. And I'm that don't want to hear this, like, my last name.

[Maddie]

But it was the umpire to clarify

[Desiree Krafczyk]

for context, and I was not having it. But if it's, like, someone who I've, like, first met or they say it wrong, I'm kind of like, ooh, that was bad. But we'll let it slide this time. I think it just depends.

[Madison Keys]

Maybe let's change the question slightly. How many times do you let it slide before you're finally like, so that's actually not how to say my name.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

One time.

[Alex Ayala]

I mean, here, big program. Yeah.

[Maddie]

Alex.

[Alex Ayala]

Me. No, I let it slide a lot. Yeah. I don't. I don't even bother. It's.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Maybe it's the veteran in me.

[Madison Keys]

I don't know.

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah, I got a lot. Yeah. Juniors especially. And In America, most of all, I don't.

[Maddie]

They go.

[Alex Ayala]

They go the weird routes. They. And even when I. When I. When I ask for, like, balls or something or, like, my gort. Iala, I always have to spell it out. I always have to spell it out. So it's automatic now. And I say eala, E, A, L, A. And then they cannot get the E, A strong together. Wow, that's like, I smelled it all for you.

[Maddie]

Wait, what do they usually say? Like, what are some of the bad.

[Alex Ayala]

Like, hila is a very common one in a. Yeah, yeah. Hila. Yeah. I've gotten Aaliyah. I've gotten really bad ones. I've got them that I can't even remember. But I want to know if Maddie's ever gotten her last name.

[Maddie]

I know.

[Alex Ayala]

Mispronounced.

[Maddie]

Or Jenny.

[Madison Keys]

Mine gets mispronounced in Europe a lot.

[Maddie]

What do they say?

[Alex Ayala]

What did they say?

[Madison Keys]

I get ks. I got Q's one time, and I was like, that's a lot of letters that aren't in my name. And weirdly, it's more Madison. Like, I get medicine a lot.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Oh, my gosh.

[Madison Keys]

Yeah. I don't know. Yeah, I'm like, I'm sorry.

[Maddie]

You.

[Madison Keys]

You thought I just introduced myself as medicine.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Okay, medicine.

[Madison Keys]

But I actually. I funny enough have to do the same thing with my last name. It's automatic, too. I say keys, and then I immediately spell it K, E, Y, S. Because people get lost.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

I sometimes will just not even say it. I'll just. I'll spell it out or just write it. Like, if I'm at a stringing or something. They're like, how do you spell your last name? And I was like, I will just write it because they just don't spell it right. So. So that's. Yeah, I've.

[Jenny Brady]

Yeah, I've had people mispronounce my name, and I'll let it slide. You call me Grady, Brady, Brandy, Bradley. I've had it all. And I'm like, yep, it's me, Jenny. Jennifer.

[Maddie]

Karaoke night. Are you grabbing the mic or hiding in the back?

[Jenny Brady]

Hiding. Des grabs the mic.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Des is definitely grabbing the mic. She's grabbing the mic with some. With the froze or something in my hand, too.

[Jenny Brady]

You're grabbing the mic out of my hand?

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Yeah, 1,000%. That did happen.

[Maddie]

Oh, yeah. Wait. We've actually been to karaoke before. What am I talking about?

[Desiree Krafczyk]

For Maddie's wedding, we all did karaoke.

[Maddie]

Maddie was, like, preparing for her wedding, probably getting her 12 hours. And me, Dez, Jenny, and Laura Robson. We went to a karaoke bar and we had way too much fun, and it was really. It was really bad.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Karaoke is big in the Philippines, too. Like, growing up, I. We had a karaoke whatever, mic and everything. And when I was younger, I would sing all the time. Celine Dion. My mom loves it. Every Christmas party. I don't know about you, Alex, but every Christmas party or any type of thing, they're singing like crazy. So maybe it's just us, but I don't know.

[Alex Ayala]

It's definitely a Filipino thing to be. Karaoke is definitely a Filipino thing, but because Filipinos are known for singing really well, and I get that question a lot. Like, do you sing well? And I like to say that I break the stereotype because I do not sing well. But I will grab the mic depending who I'm with.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Would you grab the mic with us?

[Alex Ayala]

No. Why not?

[Maddie]

No. Maybe you would. If Des started us off.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

We'll sing it together. You know, we're all in it together.

[Alex Ayala]

Like. No, no. I want to be candid with you guys. I will not grab the mic with you.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

So you're just gonna be laughing at us.

[Madison Keys]

I can show you.

[Alex Ayala]

I can show you a video of me grabbing the mic, though. And, yeah, it's funny.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Oh, can't wait to see that.

[Alex Ayala]

Knock on the pot. No, no, no, not on the pod. Yeah, no.

[Maddie]

All right, we're gonna play another segment called She's Famous. But who is famous? Famous to her, which is for you, Alex. So these are all for you. Who on tour still makes you a little starstruck?

[Alex Ayala]

Venus. Venus Williams. Yeah, yeah. Every time I see her, she's just, like, got the aura.

[Maddie]

Were you and Eva the ones that played her in Auckland?

[Alex Ayala]

Yes, yes, yes.

[Maddie]

And then Eva hit her.

[Alex Ayala]

Oh, yeah, Eva did hit her.

[Maddie]

Like, on accident, obviously.

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah, by accident. And I. I hit like a. I poached and I went. Obviously, she was in that, so I went straight to her and I felt bad.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Did you win the point?

[Alex Ayala]

Yes, I did win the fight. Well, yeah, that's why. That's why I went for it.

[Jenny Brady]

Yeah.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

See? Good.

[Maddie]

Who's an actor or actress you'd love to meet?

[Alex Ayala]

Jennifer. No, no, no. I'm so sorry. I'm blind.

[Jenny Brady]

Lawrence.

[Maddie]

Jennifer Aniston.

[Alex Ayala]

J Law. J Law. I was gonna say JLo. Sorry. J Law.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Wait, Jennifer Lopez?

[Maddie]

Yeah.

[Alex Ayala]

No, no, J. Lawrence.

[Maddie]

Oh, Lawrence.

[Alex Ayala]

She's Hunger Games, baby. Yup. I'm big Hunger Games. But she's super funny.

[Maddie]

Fave Instagram or TikTok influencer?

[Alex Ayala]

You follow do you guys know Jake Shane?

[Maddie]

I've heard of the name, but I don't.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

God, you're making us feel old.

[Maddie]

We're old.

[Alex Ayala]

Alex. He's funny. He's funny. He's. He's. He also has a podcast, and he. He's just super funny. I don't know how to describe him. You can look him up.

[Maddie]

Okay. We'll have to check it out. Which musician would she. Would she. Would you freak out about meeting Olivia

[Alex Ayala]

Dean and Bad Bunny? Bad Bunny.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Wait, who was the first one?

[Madison Keys]

Oh, yeah.

[Maddie]

I'm obsessed.

[Jenny Brady]

We love.

[Alex Ayala]

She Does Everything Right song.

[Maddie]

You know, she's coming to. Was she gonna. We're There and then New York, so.

[Alex Ayala]

Oh, I like that. Thanks for the heads up.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

So will you do karaoke with us there at the concert when we go next.

[Alex Ayala]

Next to Olivia Dean?

[Desiree Krafczyk]

No, like, when we're there at the concert.

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah, yeah, of course. Of course. I go to a concert. I'm gonna say I've never been to one, actually.

[Maddie]

You're never going to a concert?

[Alex Ayala]

Never been to a concert.

[Jenny Brady]

That would be a great first concert.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

We need to change.

[Maddie]

Oh, my gosh. Yeah. Is there another athlete from a different sport that is on your bucket list to meet?

[Alex Ayala]

Manny Pacquiao? I haven't met them yet. He's obviously the Filipino. Filipino icon. Yeah.

[Maddie]

I can't imagine how famous he is there. Like, he's famous here. Like, very famous.

[Alex Ayala]

He's. He's huge.

[Maddie]

Yeah.

[Alex Ayala]

Like, when he would have fights before, it would be like a holiday.

[Maddie]

Yeah.

[Alex Ayala]

Wow, this is crazy. Yeah.

[Maddie]

What about Celeb Crush?

[Alex Ayala]

I'm not disclosing this one. I'm not.

[Maddie]

This.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

What about, like, the initial hours?

[Jenny Brady]

Yeah.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

What if, like, an initial or if we say no?

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah. No, this is. No.

[Maddie]

What?

[Alex Ayala]

No, we're not diving into this topic.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

This could manifest something.

[Jenny Brady]

Des, go ahead and give yours Theo James.

[Maddie]

Oh, yeah, she likes that one.

[Alex Ayala]

Oh, yeah.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Do you know who that is? Alex.

[Alex Ayala]

Of course I remember that.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

I don't know. I don't.

[Alex Ayala]

I'm just making sure. Yes.

[Maddie]

Yeah. Anyone else? Jenny?

[Jenny Brady]

Channing Tatum. Back in.

[Alex Ayala]

Step up. Back in the day.

[Jenny Brady]

Yeah, back in the day.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

That's tough.

[Alex Ayala]

Sorry, sorry.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Channing.

[Jenny Brady]

Channing.

[Maddie]

Maddie.

[Madison Keys]

Michael B. Jordan.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Oh, that's a good one.

[Maddie]

Mine is the Maddie. I don't remember what his name is, but the guy in the one.

[Jenny Brady]

Oh, my gosh. Brandon.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Oh, Skeller.

[Maddie]

Yeah.

[Jenny Brady]

Yes. Yes.

[Alex Ayala]

He's the one in the.

[Maddie]

In the 1923. And in the. He was in.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

You know who that is, Alex?

[Alex Ayala]

No, I don't he was in the movie.

[Madison Keys]

We'll send you a picture later.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Oh, yeah, he's in the housemaid.

[Jenny Brady]

Yes.

[Maddie]

We did a couple movies recently. Like. Okay, it ends with us. Yes. There we go. He was in that movie with Blake Lively. Obsessed. So you still. You still don't want to give us yours after? We just.

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah. I really appreciate you guys sharing.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

We feel better.

[Alex Ayala]

Thank you for sharing.

[Maddie]

Yeah. Okay, let's.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Yeah, you can tell us later.

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah. Okay.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Do you have any questions for us?

[Alex Ayala]

I want to know any. Like, there's, like, any locker room stories? Like, any.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Well, if you want to know a locker room story, you need to tell us. Your.

[Alex Ayala]

Your crush. My locker.

[Jenny Brady]

Oh, no.

[Alex Ayala]

Okay. I don't need to know. Just kidding.

[Maddie]

I don't need to know.

[Alex Ayala]

I'm just kidding.

[Maddie]

Jenny, you laughed. What's your story? What's your locker room story?

[Jenny Brady]

I think I've already told it. Just about how I was at the French Open, and Serena was the locker next to me, and I was so intimidated by her, and she came in, and I was cleaning my locker, and I had all these boxes of clean laundry because they give you your laundry back and it's folded, but it's like, they give you, like, three or four boxes. So I had these boxes in my hand, and she came in, and there were so many tennis bags around the locker, and she was just moving them to the other side. And I'm like, oh, my gosh. I'm literally, like, in her way. Like, I need to get out of here. And I was just like, like, what do I do? Like, and I wasn't done with my locker, and I just left it. Like, I left my boxes there, and I left my. Like, I left my clothes there, and I left my locker open because I was like, I just need to get out. Like, I just need to leave. And so I just. I just laughed because I was, like, so, like, intimidated by her presence. And I was like, I am nothing. I need to leave.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

I am nothing.

[Madison Keys]

So that story is so good.

[Alex Ayala]

That's valid.

[Maddie]

You just left. Anyone else this year?

[Madison Keys]

We were in Australia. We were in, like, a back corner, and DEZ was, like, one bank over, but Coco was in a corner. And poor Coco. Her locker door kept breaking. And so the one day, she, like, went to open it because it's. It, like, opens, and then it slides in. And as soon as she opened it, it was literally like she was like she Hulk or something. And, like, the whole thing came off of its hinges, and she was, like, getting ready for A match. And basically just kind of like, shoved the door into the locker. And then it was like, every day she would come in and it would be, like, hanging. And I was like.

[Maddie]

It was those ones that, like, you know when you, like, pull up and you slide it in, Right. And I remember walking in, and hers is, like, right there. And I was right across from Maddie, and it's just, like, sideways, and you just see all of her stuff.

[Alex Ayala]

Stuff.

[Maddie]

And then she would just come in and she'd be like, I don't know what's going on. I've just. I've asked them to fix it, and they keep saying they're gonna fix it. And it's just like, she's just, like, grabbing things out of it.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

And it, like.

[Maddie]

I think I actually took a picture because it just looks so funny. And she would just, like, open it, and, like, the door would be, like, hanging, and she just, like, shove it in the thing. And it was broken. It was pretty funny. And she'd just be going out for her match. Like, I just. I. I don't know what's going on with this thing. I'll deal with it later. She would go out and play her match.

[Jenny Brady]

Okay, so we're moving on to our who am I of the week. I took the college route before turning pro. No one pronounces my last name correctly. I have a close family member that also plays at the highest level. My who am I of the week is. Drum roll, please. Arthur Rinderkinesh.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Yay, Arthur.

[Maddie]

Alex doesn't understand why we're laughing so hard.

[Jenny Brady]

So basically come up in our pod, his name has come up literally, like, almost, like, almost every week. Yeah. And so, like, we. I kind of just did it as a joke. Alex, would you like to give us your who am I?

[Alex Ayala]

Okay, so my three clues are going to be, I am a lefty. I have dogs named after me, and I have multiple Dan slam trophies. Those are mostly mixed ups.

[Jenny Brady]

All right, let's move on to some fan questions. First question from David. When you were playing junior tennis, what was the best advice you got to. To help you mentally get to the next level?

[Maddie]

I was getting tips, like, go to your towel, like, when you're upset. You know those days, like, when to

[Desiree Krafczyk]

switch your racket in your hand to let it rest?

[Alex Ayala]

I don't know.

[Maddie]

Yeah, we all had, like, the same tips.

[Alex Ayala]

It's just you doing all the same things at the higher level.

[Maddie]

Yeah, pretty much.

[Jenny Brady]

Next question from Michelle. Is crowd noise or noise from the overall environment distracting or helpful? To you. I've been to a few events and sometimes you can hear music from a band stage or random cheers from another stadium, plus the crowd in your own. Do you have to drown that stuff out or do you use it?

[Alex Ayala]

I drown out.

[Jenny Brady]

Yeah.

[Maddie]

I think I drown everything out.

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah.

[Madison Keys]

If I notice something, if I'm like, noticing other sounds, things are not good.

[Maddie]

Yeah, yeah.

[Madison Keys]

If I start being like the. The music four quarts away. If I can hear that and I'm like, oh, it's distracting. There's some issues happening in my own.

[Maddie]

Yeah, you're already. You're finding everything like that you're getting is making you irritated.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Sometimes I'll be in like La La Land and, like, jamming to the music or listening to what that other score is on the other court. But then I have to be like, oh, my gosh, lock in. But sometimes I need to just be in La La Land to just help me relax a little bit.

[Maddie]

But yeah, I would not want it to be next to Alex's court, though, because that would be.

[Alex Ayala]

Yeah.

[Maddie]

Probably somewhat distracting.

[Alex Ayala]

Yep.

[Jenny Brady]

Yeah. Although the other day I was on court playing either singles or doubles, and Maddie was playing and she just finished up and I was like. And it was like, madison Keys. And I was like, yes, she got the job. I was like, lock in, Jenny.

[Desiree Krafczyk]

Oh, yeah. That's when I was playing my dubs and I mean, my match went over two hours and we're like a set and maybe one all in the second set. And I hear, congrats, Jessica Pegula. And I was like, oh, my gosh, you only played for like an hour. We've been on court longer.

[Jenny Brady]

All right, thanks everyone for your fan questions and thank you. Thank you to Alex for joining us in the players box.

[Alex Ayala]

Thank you for having me.

[Maddie]

Yeah, thank you.

[Jenny Brady]

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 and send us fan questions on Instagram or to our [e-mail] 2Good

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[Seth Schachner]

Hey, I'm Seth Schachner. Check out my new show, Breaking down the Biz. Every week I sit down with people who actually make movies, music and media happen. Executives from Sony, Universal, Apple, NBC. Together, we cut through industry jargon and hype to show you how the business is built, what's key to making everything come together, and why it matters to you. From itunes impact on the music industry to the advent of AI, from the Taylor Swift ticket sales fiasco to Bad Bunny's meteoric rise, we break down the stories, the numbers and the negotiations that shape the industry. I've been in the trenches of the entertainment industry for several decades, with leadership roles at companies like Sony, Paramount and Jive Records. My guests and I are going to provide the same thoughtful, concise insights that I'm trusted to bring on TV networks like CNN and NBC surrounding the industry and its culture. Defining Moments we'll touch on the business of music, filmmaking and streaming and the emerging technology of our our time. If you've ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes of the entertainment business, this is a bite sized insider guide. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast platform or watch us on YouTube so you never miss a beat. Let's make sense of this industry together.