4 | Dating on the Tour, Travel Pet Peeves & Best Slam

Summary

The Player's Box – Episode 4

Dating on the Tour, Travel Pet Peeves & Best Slam
Hosts: Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, Jennifer Brady, Desirae Krawczyk
Release Date: September 16, 2025

---

Episode Overview

In this episode, the four WTA pros give fans an inside look at tennis life off the court, with candid and often hilarious discussions about dating while on tour, travel inconveniences and pet peeves, must-haves for globetrotting, plus an ultimate ranking of Grand Slam player facilities and food. The episode wraps with lively fan Q&A, including the dream shot swap and walk-on anthem picks.

---

Key Topics & Insights

1. Dating on the Tour

• Limited Options & Awkward Encounters

  • The players lament the tiny dating pool: “Your options are very slim. It’s like another tennis player or someone you’ll never see, ever. A fan!” (Jessica Pegula, 01:03)
  • Funny anecdote: Muguruza marrying a fan she met walking in Central Park (“He was very handsome. So I just kept talking to him. …and they got married!” – Pegula, 01:14)
  • Most players say they tried to avoid dating another pro, but “I married one.” (Desirae Krawczyk, 02:13), “Both of you!” (Brady, 02:17)

• Tour Life Reality

  • Long-distance is standard: “We all physically do long distance in a way.” (Krawczyk, 06:15)
  • On maintaining relationships: FaceTime is essential, though not perfect—“I get sick of holding the phone.” (Pegula, 03:28), “Whoever you date, Jenny, needs to love FaceTime. That’s a deal breaker.” (Keys & Pegula, 04:28)

• The Coaching Dilemma

  • Blurred lines when partners give tennis advice: “It depends what tip and how you say it. The tone and delivery is what makes it work or not.” (Krawczyk, 07:24)
  • “Even though you were right, I feel like you should have hugged me first before you told me—or during.” (Keys, 08:53)

---

2. Travel Stories & Pet Peeves

• Flight Itinerary Chaos

  • Players describe marathon travel plans—“Florida to LA, LA to Hong Kong, then drive to Shenzhen… I think I land at like 7am so Monday is going to be an absolute grind for me.” (Pegula, 14:39)
  • Jenny flies early just to hang out with Maddie in LA: “Jenny’s literally flying early so she can come spend time with you.” (Pegula, 16:29)

• Travel Pet Peeves

  • Early Line-Uppers:
    “Group four is three to five and they’re literally in the boarding line waiting to board, but they still haven’t called preboarding. That is my biggest pet peeve.” (Brady, 17:00)
  • Faking Pre-boarding:
    Jenny’s “confession” about pretending to need extra time to board with four items: “I’m limping…she needs extra time…Okay, thanks.” (Brady & Pegula, 20:54)
    “Advantage: Jenny.” (Keys & Brady, 20:55)
  • Baggage Claim Chaos:
    “People just stand in front of you…so everyone just hovers, and when it’s your time you just grab your bag and go ‘Oh, sorry, didn’t see you there.’” (Brady, 21:46)

• Travel Essentials

  • Must-bring items: snacks, matcha kits, face masks, “my LED face mask.” (Keys, 23:46), “I bring my own matcha kit…to make it feel homey.” (Krawczyk, 23:31)
  • Packing strategy: “I actually got my travel down to only two check-in bags, but I think I might go back to three for Asia…” (Pegula, 23:03)

---

3. Fan Q&A & Favorite Tennis Memories

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Stealing Each Other’s Shots [29:03]

  • “I want Des’s volleys.” (Keys, 29:03)
  • “I would take Des’s chip lob. I literally can’t lob to save my life.” (Brady, 29:33)
  • “I’d probably take Maddie’s serve, Jesse’s backhand—solid as a rock.” (Brady, 30:09)

• Grand Slam Player Facilities, Food & Gyms [32:43]

  • Universal agreement: Australian Open wins for best facilities and food.
    • “Facility? Grand Slam? Australia.” (Keys, 33:00)
    • “They have three floors of food…pasta, grill, salad bar, sushi…” (Brady, 33:12)
    • “The locker rooms are huge, so nice. It’s all brand new and updated.” (Keys, 34:03)
  • US Open: More congested, but the new indoor area helps. “It’s not that big of a space.” (Krawczyk, 35:30)
  • Roland Garros: Nice, but farther. “You have to take a car, but you can just stay at the Jambon there and not go on site.” (Pegula, 35:39)
  • Wimbledon: Orangi for backup facilities, but site navigation is a grind. (Pegula, 36:33)
  • Gyms: “Australia has like nine gyms now…so much space!” (Brady, 37:17)

---

4. Walk-on Court Songs [37:58]

• Seven Nation Army – Jennifer Brady
• “I think I want to go with like a 50 Cent…would have to bleep it out, but…” (Pegula, 38:05)
• “Shania Twain—Let’s Go Girls!” (Keys, 39:07)
• Enter Sandman (for Billie Jean King Cup entry), and Mr. Brightside (“That song [gets] the entire stadium…nuts!” – Brady, 40:25)
• Brady’s ongoing obsession with Bills quarterback Josh Allen is playfully called out by the group (40:54).

---

Memorable Exchanges & Quotes

• On Tennis Advice at Home

  • “Taylor just tries to tell me to slice more. That’s always his go-to.” (Pegula, 09:49)
  • “My husband is not a tennis player or has no formal background…but that’s usually just his advice to me.” (Pegula, 10:24)

• On Coping With Unique Opponents

  • “Please, give me a normal topspin forehand!” (Keys, 12:21)
  • “So tight…the whole first set” against ‘choppers’ like Moni and Ito. (Keys, 12:44)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Dating on Tour: 00:54 – 06:41
• Long-Distance and FaceTime: 03:43 – 07:04
• Partner as Coach/Fighting Over Advice: 07:10 – 09:36
• Travel Logistics (China Trip): 13:30 – 15:57
• Travel Pet Peeves: 16:47 – 23:46
• Travel Essentials: 23:46 – 24:34
• Maddie’s Beat Bobby Flay Appearance: 24:55 – 28:37
• Fan Q&A: Stealing Each Other’s Shots: 29:03 – 32:40
• Grand Slam Facilities/Catering/Gyms: 32:43 – 37:29
• Walk-on Court Songs: 37:58 – 41:50

---

Conclusion

This episode is a lively, laugh-filled deep dive into the realities of tour life. From the awkwardness of finding romance on the circuit to everyday gripes at the airport and cherished food options at major tournaments, The Player’s Box keeps it real, relatable, and fun. Don’t miss the end-of-episode fan Q&A: “If you could steal one shot from each other…?” reveals their on-court envy, and the music talk gives a peek into their pre-match mindsets.

---

For future questions, fans are encouraged to DM the podcast on Instagram or email—listen next Tuesday for more behind-the-scenes tennis stories!

Transcript

[A]

This is the players box.

[B]

Hey, everyone. Welcome to another episode of the Players Box. I'm Desiree Krafczyk alongside Jenny Brady, Madison Keys and Jess Bagula. If you're enjoying watching and listening to our podcast, please remember to give us a five star rating at the end of the episode. We would really appreciate that. All right, let's get into it. The buzz that is Carlos's hair, which is helping him win on the tennis court and his dating life went on and off the course.

[C]

I was gonna say you should have off the court. On the court and off the court. You teed it up.

[B]

That's what I just said.

[C]

Did not just.

[A]

You kind of fumbled it a little bit.

[C]

I was like, wow, she really came in hot.

[D]

Yeah, I know.

[E]

She really.

[B]

I was so pumped for this.

[A]

There's been lots of headlines about, like, who is dating who and breakups and all of that on the tour. Dating on the tour is hard.

[E]

Your options are very slim. It's like another tennis player or someone.

[C]

You will never see ever a fan.

[B]

Or just a rope.

[C]

Mugaruta dated a fan or married a fan originally. Remember she, like met him in Central park walking. And he said, oh, good luck tonight or whatever. And she. He was like, oh, yeah, good luck tonight. Like, I know who you are or whatever. I'm a big fan. And then she's like, he was very handsome. So I just kept talking to him.

[A]

Oh, my gosh.

[C]

And they got married. They got married.

[B]

That's one way to show.

[C]

I don't think he was like a creepy fan. He was just like, oh, hey, good luck. And then it just. I feel like that would be harder.

[B]

Other players or that's happened to.

[C]

Not really trying to think that I've heard of, but that's why I feel like when they were like engaged and got married, it was like such a big story. Because it was definitely random.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I mean, I was always like. I had always when I was like, okay, when I start dating someone, it's not going to be a tennis player.

[B]

So same that I married one.

[E]

Oh, wow.

[D]

Both of you.

[C]

Yeah, both of you. That's what I told myself and I didn't do it. So I stuck.

[B]

It's your workspace.

[A]

It's also me and Jenny stuck it.

[B]

Out world, so it's difficult.

[E]

I'm still sticking it out.

[B]

We gotta get you on a reality show or the Bachelorette or something.

[E]

Oh, I don't think reality TV is my calling, but.

[C]

No, it definitely is. It would be so funny that you would be.

[A]

You would Be perfect for literally tv. Oh, like sign her up for Love Island.

[B]

Can I pull you for a chat?

[E]

Can I play for a chat?

[C]

I don't. I don't know how people did this. Like, we live in a modern day whatever. We have phone and FaceTime and all that. I couldn't imagine trying to date long distance while you're playing on tour. Like, I don't know. When were there not phones? 20 years ago. Text FaceTime and stuff like that. Like where you're calling landline FaceTime.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I think FaceTime not big constant for.

[C]

Me in my vacation.

[D]

Yeah, yeah.

[C]

Or not. Like, Field of Sense is just nice quick updates. Yeah, we know. Actually still, I don't even FaceTime Taylor that much, to be honest. Like, I do, but, like, I get sick of holding the phone and.

[D]

Oh, really?

[C]

Jenny knows.

[B]

I feel like I always lay the phone down and just. Oh, look, there's the fan. Yeah, it looks beautiful.

[C]

Or like you stare at the ceiling the whole time.

[B]

You look amazing.

[E]

Yeah, I'm like, I FaceTime my. I FaceTime my sister. And she's like, all right, well, I'm watching a show or I'm reading a book and I'm like, and. And she'll. And then she'll be like, okay, well, I'm going to the store. And I'm like, okay, can I come with?

[C]

I feel like we talked about this last episode, Jenny.

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

Did you tell the same story? Okay, yeah, I did the grocery store.

[A]

I did 100%. Yes.

[C]

The grocery store. I was like, wait, But I think.

[E]

I still do it. And I'm like, yeah. Like, I'm offended when she doesn't take me with. So.

[C]

So whoever you date, Jenny needs to be heavy.

[A]

FaceTime.

[E]

Yeah, I gotta love FaceTime.

[C]

That's like a deal breaker time.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

And go to the grocery store with you on FaceTime or in person.

[D]

Oh, my God, I don't know.

[C]

Getting those public als.

[D]

Yeah.

[E]

Buy one, get one. BOGO on Thursday.

[D]

But. Yeah.

[E]

But you know who does make it work? Ben and Trinity. They're like, oh, yeah.

[C]

I don't know how.

[D]

Yeah.

[E]

Flying especially here on a red eye.

[B]

After her game to go see him at U.S. open.

[D]

Yeah.

[E]

Would you guys do that? I feel like a part of me would want to and then a part of me would be like. Like, I need to, like, recover and my body needs to, like, you know, like, I need to train tomorrow. So, like, that's not optimal for me. So I do think when she was.

[C]

Traveling earlier in the year, it's because she was hurt. But yeah, I'm interested now that she's.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

I don't know, like, if she's gonna be traveling the same amount. I mean, I would assume no. So that's always. I feel like, tough. But I also feel like it would be exciting because then he gets to watch her games or like, keep up with it. So there's something like he's rooting her on, like from a distance. She's like, watching him play in his matches. I feel like it would keep you more excited.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

I think if you wanted to make it work long distance, obviously it's going to be tough. And they both know how it is in the sports world. They both play professional. They're both professional athletes. So, yeah, I guess, you know, if they really wanted to make it work, it'll. It'll work. But we all physically do long distance in a way.

[E]

Yeah, it does. You do. Your boyfriend lives in Australia?

[B]

Yeah, yeah, we do long distance.

[A]

It's not always like the longest distance.

[C]

The longest distance.

[E]

You and Maddie have the complete opposite. You guys were like, yeah, thousands of miles away. And then Maddie and bjorn are together 24 7. So, yeah, there's.

[B]

It's a little different.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

But honestly, like, I've.

[E]

Everybody's different.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

And I obviously, I mean, it's hard not to love Australia. So I'll usually go in the off season and spend two or three months there. And then we try and find in our schedule to see where we, where we can meet up. But usually we try not to go about like a month or two if we can, with depending on our schedules. But that's why FaceTime really helps. I mean, if it wasn't for FaceTime.

[E]

It'D be really tough.

[C]

Is he never going to become coach Desiree? No.

[B]

We try that out for a week.

[D]

No.

[A]

If we want to stay in this.

[B]

Relationship, they were going to have to, you know, separate the two.

[C]

Does he stubborn and it's just hard.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Does he ever try to give tips?

[B]

Yes, he does. And we've had to. I mean, it's hard though, because if he's coaching, he's coaching right now a little bit. But if he wants to give tips, it's like, he's like, can I, can I give you a tip? Yeah, it depends what tip and how you say it and how you delivery is like the tone and the delivery of it is really what, what makes it work or. Or not work. Makeup.

[A]

I like, I vaguely remember was it like a year, a year and a half ago, Des being Like, Maddie. So how do you guys make it work and, like, still still want to.

[E]

Talk to each other?

[B]

How do you guys still want to sleep in the same bed after trying to have a conversation about tennis and move on? And then after that, I was like, yeah, we both were like, no, we're for just that separate.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

And it works.

[E]

So, you know, and then Maddie's the opposite.

[D]

Yeah. Yeah.

[E]

So.

[A]

Sure am.

[D]

Yeah.

[E]

And then.

[B]

Love that, Maddie.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Most days it's. Most days it's great. But I mean, kind of like you said, occasionally it's like, okay, so the information may have been necessary, but, like, I didn't love the tone in which you delivered it to me. So, like, now my. Now my feelings are hurt and I, like, want to fight you on what you just said.

[B]

Don't want to talk to you. I'm going to shut down.

[A]

Like, even though you were right, I kind of feel like you should have hugged me first before you told me or during. Yeah.

[B]

But it is sometimes funny because obviously I have my coach cray, and this is just me being stubborn. But if Craig tells me the same thing that Andrew tells me, I'm like, oh, yeah, okay. It's a different delivery. And I'm like, oh, that's a good idea. And I'll try it. And I'm like, Andrew's like, I just said the exact same thing. And I'm like, it's. It's not the same thing.

[C]

It's, like, different.

[A]

You said it differently, so it landed in my head differently, so therefore, I'll try it.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

It just depends. I mean, obviously it's just.

[A]

It's just how you say it.

[E]

But anyways, it's like when your parents tell you something.

[C]

Yeah.

[E]

And you're like, no, you're wrong. And then someone else tells you, and you're like, oh, they were right. But they don't know that.

[D]

They don't need to know that.

[C]

Taylor just tries to tell me to slice more. That's always his go to.

[A]

Well, who's his favorite player?

[C]

Nicolascu.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Mani.

[E]

We love Moni.

[C]

He loves her. We literally one year at, like, French Open, we're, like, sitting in the rain. Like, we were watching her play, like, out on, like, one of the courts and, like, qualys. I forget who she was playing. She was playing, like, someone we knew. And he was like, that's nasty. Like, just the cutter, like, the slice forehand. He loves it. So he's just like, yeah, you need to, like, just do some more spins and stuff. Clearly, my husband is not a tennis player or has no formal background or any whatever. But that's usually just his advice to me. And I'm actually.

[E]

I should take it with a grain of salt. I just saw Moni in New York last week, and there's a gif of me on. On WhatsApp. And it's me playing, playing her. And I like, we're in, like, the third set tie break, and I'm like, literally, like, so over it, and I, like, lose a point and I just, like, fall to the ground, like, super dramatic. And I'm laying on the ground like, I don't want to be here. And I showed it to her and I was like, this is when we played. And she's like, yeah, but you won. And I was like, yeah, but, like, this is really funny. Like, this is when I played you. And I was like, moni, all you had to do was look on the other side of the net, like, you know, I was like, you had me. You had me.

[C]

We need to clip that gif in there. I haven't seen that one.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, it's.

[C]

It's good. She. Or now. I feel like nowadays, now that's Ito. She's like the new. Oh, Nicklescu. Oh, which Maddie plays.

[E]

Maddie chopped her up.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

I was so tight because I have. I have lost to Moni in three sets in D.C. at like 11pm one time, and it was just the most terrible match of my life because she was just on the other side just hacking me away.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

And I've also. I played Tatiana Maria on grass this year, and then I played Laura Siegmund on grass this year, and then I got Ito and I was like, I just want someone to hit their forehand.

[C]

Please give me a normal top spin forehand. And those courts were so fast. And Cincy, the. The grand. Is it grandstand you guys played on? Yeah, it's like lightning.

[A]

And yeah, I was like, this is just like, total PTSD of being on a fast court against someone who just is gonna, like, chop me up.

[D]

Yes.

[A]

And I was like, so, so tight the whole first set.

[C]

But then you were fine.

[A]

Yeah, then I was fine. But first. That was. First set, I was unwell.

[E]

Well, according to the score, it didn't look like that, but, yeah, it's always different on the inside compared to the outside.

[C]

So where's the Jenny?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

From Jenny Brady.

[C]

That was Dean. Jenny. God.

[E]

Okay, so what's next for everyone? Yes, Jenny Travel.

[B]

Next.

[E]

Asia. I would say China.

[B]

I can't wait for you to rock that Hat.

[E]

My China hat. That does. Marry me in Charleston.

[A]

Cincinnati.

[D]

Cincinnati.

[C]

Cincinnati.

[D]

Cincinnati.

[E]

Yes.

[D]

Yes.

[C]

I'm flying to China tomorrow night. I'm excited that we're all gonna be there.

[E]

I'm going with Maddie.

[C]

Oh, yeah, we should probably mention that.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Jenny, you're going to China with Maddie.

[A]

Coach Jenny coming in.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Are you excited?

[E]

I'm doing a reverse uno card? Yeah, I am. I am excited. I think it'll be fun.

[A]

The courts are great, the hotels are so nice. The gym is always really good. It's just like the long. I feel like it's hard because it's like you start the year with the really long flight and then you end the year with the really long flight. So I think that's always just kind of especially for, I mean us Americans that I think we get a little comfortable just being able to be in the states for like six weeks and then we're like. But 27 hour flight option doesn't seem amazing.

[C]

But yeah, I have to go Florida to la, LA to Hong Kong and then I have to drive because you have to fly and then drive to Shenzhen which is like maybe two hours, I'm not sure. But you have to go over the border so you have to go like into mainland China. And I think I land at like 7am so Monday is going to be an absolute grind for me. Oh my God. I'm going to attempt to hit later in the day but we'll see how that works out.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Jenny, you're flying through LA as well, right?

[E]

Yeah, Louisiana and then you and I will probably go get some lunch at Erewhon and then.

[B]

Guess I'm picking you up.

[E]

Yeah, it's already been planned.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Jenny was like, I'll take the 7am flight from Florida to get to LA super early so I don't miss my flight.

[E]

And I was like, I was like not going to spend seven hours in LA. Well, the flights at 11pm from LA direct to Beijing, so that's much easier than Jesse's. But I was like, yeah, fine as well take the super early first flight out from Florida to la just in case, just to be safe. Don't want to miss.

[B]

Give yourself a big window.

[E]

Want to give myself 14 hours.

[B]

How are you getting to. Are you going through LA as well?

[A]

Yeah, I'm on the same flight as Jenny. I'm just not leaving at 7am she's.

[E]

Probably leaving at like 4.

[B]

Oh my gosh. I thought you guys were leaving together.

[E]

We are.

[A]

She wants to leave at 7am from Florida. Why would I do that to myself.

[C]

Yeah, that's wild.

[B]

Oh, I thought you'd want to stay a little bit longer.

[E]

We. No, we are leaving together from la.

[A]

We're on the same flight.

[B]

You're just taking a different flight?

[E]

Yeah, we're leaving some different flying from different cities. Cities, yeah.

[C]

Jenny's literally flying early so she can come spend time with you.

[E]

Yeah, and now you're like throwing me to the freaking wolves.

[A]

So sweet of you.

[B]

Can't wait.

[E]

Yeah, we're gonna have quite the day.

[B]

Before you go to China. Don't worry, I got you.

[E]

I'll text someone else then.

[B]

Speaking of travel, anyone have any travel pet peeves? I've got a few, but.

[E]

Oh, okay. We'll start us off.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, you can just start us off.

[D]

Yeah, you, you.

[C]

There's a lot of that one.

[B]

There's a lot. Okay, well, for first of all with people, our group four is three to five and they're literally at. In the boarding line waiting to board. But they still haven't called pre boarding. That is my biggest pet peeve because everyone just starts to hover and it's like they haven't even called pre boarding or group one or group two and people are just standing there waiting.

[C]

And then you have to ask on.

[B]

The board at this point, I don't even know if I ask. I just say, are you, are you guys group one?

[D]

No.

[B]

Oh, we're group four. Oh, they haven't even called group one. But it's even better when the gate, when the gate agents, they try and board if they're groups, what, three or four or five and they try to board on groups one or two and they're like, nope, sorry, we're not calling that. Because some gay agents, they will just.

[C]

Be like, yeah, like, yeah, whatever.

[B]

But it is funny to see when they just get. Nope, sorry. Three more groups later. Sorry.

[E]

Yeah, they are savage. Although I do do that. Like I line up and then I'm like, ah, Like I'm group four. And then they're boarding group one. And then I'm like, okay, like maybe I'll like sneak in here. And then I'm like, oh, like, oh.

[B]

So you're one of those.

[E]

Yeah, one of those. And I like try to read, like.

[C]

I try to read the line.

[E]

Yeah, I did it recently going to.

[C]

New York when everyone's done boarding and then you see like no one's kind of going in the line and I'm like, oh, maybe I can just kind of. And then you hope that they call it right before you get there.

[D]

Yeah, yeah.

[E]

And then while they're still boarding group two, like before they even call group three, like I'm already in line with group two, like approaching.

[C]

But yeah, I've done that before.

[E]

Yeah, but one time I've done pre board because I needed extra time, but I didn't actually need extra time and I had like, okay, this is really, this sounds really bad but like it was just like a one time thing. Like I did need extra time because I had my rackets. It was when I was coming from LA to Florida earlier this year.

[B]

Wow. Jenny.

[D]

Jenny.

[B]

Advantage.

[E]

Let me tell my story. So I was coming from LA to Florida and I had a medical device which by the way, you can travel. So I had two bags, rackets and a medical device. So technically I had three items and so I had four different items and it was a lot. And I was like, I don't know if I'm going to be able to fit all this in the overhead cabin, so I need to do pre board. And so like they're like, okay, need extra time. And I'm going on and I'm like, okay, like I'm limping. Like I, I pretend like.

[B]

Because you're actually hurt.

[E]

No, because I, I'm pretending like, like I have knee injury cancelled. I, I feel. Yeah, probably. But like I did have a knee injury. Come on. And four items.

[C]

You faked a lot.

[E]

Yeah, I had a medical device. I had my ice chest, the ice so bad.

[A]

I had the ice game ready.

[E]

Yeah, it's like a game ready but it's the cheaper version and it's the knockoff. So I had that but I just, I just had like, you know, like my knee surgery and like all that stuff. So I was like, okay, like I didn't really need extra time but like I did need like priority boarding. And I was like group six. And I was like, okay, now's my chance. And I'm going and I'm like hobbling. And the lady, lady's like, oh, you need extra time? And I'm like, yeah. And then she goes, go ahead, go ahead, go ahead. And then I get up to the gate agent and she looks at me and then I scan my boarding pass and she goes, oh, you're group six. And I go, and then the lady goes, she needs extra time. She goes, you're good, you're good. And I go, okay, thanks Jenny.

[B]

Taking advantage.

[D]

Wow.

[E]

No, but it wasn't that. Like I just like needed to make sure like, you know, I had to put all my Things, you know, so. But I've never done that any other time.

[D]

Come on.

[E]

It was, it was just a one time thing and I did need extra time.

[D]

Wow.

[B]

How about the people that stand up? They're in the aisle and they're in the back and they're trying to bypass everyone. Like, has this ever happened when you're. Everyone obviously goes, gets up, gets their bags in, you know, in order. And there's some people who are in the aisle and they'll try and bypass. This happens in certain countries. I wouldn't say maybe in the States unless you're trying to connect for a flight. But there are some places where like, people will just try and bypass even though there's so many rows ahead of them too. I think we've talked about this before. Baggage claim. Like when people, when you're waiting for your bags and baggage claim, obviously, oh my gosh.

[C]

Space around and they do stand and.

[B]

And they just stand there, but then, oh my gosh. And they'll just stand in front of you. But you know that you're just kind of giving space to see the bags. So everyone just hovers. And then when it's your time to get your bag and you can actually see it, you just grab the bag and go, oh, sorry, I did not see you there. Like, what?

[C]

Yeah, you have to give a little attitude for sure. Like, you maybe like hit him a little bit with your bag.

[B]

I do. But also just read the room.

[E]

I'm like so unbothered. I could care less. Like, if you want to stand there, I'll just wait and walk around until the empty space and then collect my bag.

[C]

Like, except when it comes to priority boarding, pre warding.

[E]

Except when it comes to priority boarding. Okay, well.

[B]

And fake a limp.

[E]

I wasn't faking a limp. I had a knee injury.

[B]

You just said you faked a limp.

[C]

You said you weren't limping.

[B]

Yeah, you said, oh, my gosh.

[C]

But yeah, travel.

[B]

Are there, are there any things that you guys, like, travel with that are maybe like, uncommon other than like, me?

[E]

No. You bring snacks? Oh, yeah.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I would like some snacks.

[C]

China. I actually got my travel down to only like two check in bags, but I think I might go back to 3 for Asia because I bring a lot more.

[E]

I'm just gonna bring one bag. I think I'm gonna underpin.

[B]

For what Are you gonna collect some stuff.

[C]

Snacks and like that stuff. I just, I mean, I feel like I need. So I might do bags.

[B]

Yeah, I mean, I bring snacks. I bring my own to make me feel at home.

[E]

I don't even want to think about packing yet.

[B]

I'll bring my Matcha kit because I love Matcha. I'll bring my little whisk and my little. Yeah, I. I make it feel real homey because, you know, we travel so much and I don't know, I'm okay to have my bags over 50.

[A]

I bring, like, my LED face mask, but that's. That's kind of it.

[C]

That's the one thing I'm gonna miss does with you. If you go to Japan, you gotta hit up the sting hair.

[E]

No, Des, you have to give me some Matcha. You have to give me some more Matcha.

[C]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[B]

I just ran out of mine.

[E]

So Matcha's, like, on. It's scarce these days. Hard to find.

[B]

They're just getting real expensive.

[E]

All of these genes.

[C]

It's super expensive.

[E]

Love the tick tockers.

[C]

Asia, well, Japan and Korea have the best, cheapest skincare. It's so great. I've heard.

[B]

And I heard that they also. Yeah, their skincare is really good, but I have yet to try it, so.

[C]

So good. And she.

[E]

Okay, should we move on to fan questions? But before we move on to fan questions, should we just give a little shout out to Maddie for her Beat Bobby Flay episode that's going to be dropping on September 25th at 9pm? Woo.

[A]

Yay.

[B]

Tell us about it, Maddie.

[E]

Yeah, give us a quick little spiel.

[B]

What do you.

[C]

What film?

[A]

I don't cook. Have you ever watched Be Bobby Flay?

[B]

No.

[E]

Really?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay, well, I don't cook.

[B]

I watch. I. I watch Master Chef.

[E]

No, Be Bobby Flay. It's always on. It's pro. If you turn your TV on Food Network right now, it's probably.

[A]

It's probably on.

[C]

My gosh.

[A]

Yeah, we filmed it. I. We filmed it a. A while ago, and I've just been, like, waiting for the episode to come out. So, yeah, I get to be a judge. And I was with Michael Simon, who I love.

[E]

He.

[A]

He's one of my favorite chefs ever, but also just like, the nicest person ever. And we go into the back to try the food and judge it, and I'm eating, and I feel a little out of place because obviously I'm a tennis player and I'm judging professional chefs. So I'm sitting there and I was like, I feel like it's lacking acid. And he was like, yes, for sure. I was like, cool, great. I'm gonna write it down in my little notebook. That's really Cool though.

[D]

So cool.

[A]

So it was so fun. Yeah, it was actually very fun.

[B]

Do you get to eat the food, like, or how much of it do you get to eat?

[C]

Yeah, how much do you eat?

[A]

So it's, it was really interesting being obviously behind the scenes to watch how you film a 30 minute episode. But it takes obviously ours, so they make multiple plates, so they have to have one for TV essentially so that they can film it and then they have however many they need for the judges and then there's usually like maybe one extra one. So depending on which round they're in, it's. There's like three or four plates made. So we go in the back and then we go in the back and we try it privately. And then we come back and we give our whole spiel about who won that round and like, who's making it to the next one. So, yeah, I mean, you try it, but it's not like you're sitting there and having a full blown meal.

[C]

And how, how did it start again? It was after you made semis. Right. Of US Open.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. So after, after my heartbreaking loss to Sabalinka six and the third, I really watched it a few years ago. I got just like the nicest DM. Typically when you lose, you know, seven, six in the third and you're going through your DMs, it's not the nicest place to be. And I'm flipping through and I see Bobby Flay had messaged me and he was at the match and he just wrote me the nicest message about just how I was carrying myself. And you know, he's obviously a competitor himself, so just was really impressed with our match and everything and basically was just like, I'd love to have you on one of my shows one day.

[C]

That's so cool.

[A]

Okay, call me when you have a opening. And then it just, it kind of like worked out perfectly, timing wise. And yeah, he's very. I mean, he's very, very cool. And it was just really interesting to see the behind the scenes of. I mean, I sit there and I watch Food Network 20. Yeah, 24 hours a day.

[E]

So really fun. No, I love it.

[C]

Well, it's awesome.

[E]

I'm a huge.

[C]

So cool Food Network.

[A]

Yeah. So tune in. Food Network September 25th, 9:00pm Eastern.

[E]

9:00Am Wait.

[A]

Yes, 9:00pm Eastern.

[C]

Great, that's good.

[E]

Okay, let's move on to. Yeah, let's move on to some fan questions. Okay, so from Tennis cam for if you could steal one shot from each other, which ones Would you pick?

[A]

I'm Des's volleys.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

I feel like I either want Jesse's backhand or drop shot.

[E]

Sneaky.

[A]

Good drop shot.

[D]

Thank you.

[A]

And. Or the Jenny. Jenny. I kind of want. I kind of want the cobra. Oh, you want leg the cobra fear hand from Jenny.

[D]

I'll take it.

[E]

I would take Des's chip lob, because I really. I literally can't lob to save my life, like, at all. Like, and especially off of a return, that's literally the last shot I'm ever going to hit is a chip lob. And it's just Des, boop, chip lob.

[C]

And I think I'll keep going.

[D]

Yeah.

[E]

Oh, we have to. Okay.

[B]

Of each person.

[E]

Oh, of each person.

[C]

Each person.

[E]

Okay. I'd probably take Maddie serve easy. Jesse's backhand. Solid. Solid as a rock. And my forehand. Can I pick myself?

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Love that for you.

[B]

I would.

[E]

I'd be the complete player. You wouldn't know what's coming. I'm either gonna rip a forehand down your throat or go chip lob.

[A]

Chip lobby.

[B]

I would definitely do Maddie serve Jenny's forehand. My volleys. And I love Jess's drop shot. It's the sneaky one where you don't even know when it's coming.

[A]

She's like, 10ft behind the baseline, and it gets up on her tiptoes.

[B]

Yes, tiptoes. And she'll, like, have the one, like, back and go, Oh, I do kind of like.

[C]

Oh, I don't know why I hit it. Like.

[B]

Oh, you just like that.

[C]

Um, but, like, yeah, 10ft behind the.

[B]

Baseline, she'll do it. And then you think she's gonna hit a deep slice, but nope, just a drop shot, and she can't even get to it.

[C]

Um, I would do Maddie serve Jenny's forehand. Des, I don't know. Your backhand's, like, sneaky freaking good. Because I've played you a lot in, like, ripping backhands cross. So I might go your backhand just to mix it up, because your backhand is good.

[D]

And.

[C]

Yeah, I should. I should give my backhand. I don't know.

[E]

Your own drop shot.

[C]

I mean, you play backhand side. Yeah, I'll take my own drop shot.

[E]

Apparently, nothing is. Imagine next time I play you, I'm just gonna be, like, looking for the drop, and I'll be like, I don't know what you guys are talking about. She didn't drop shot once.

[C]

I try sometimes. Have you ever seen foe do the fake drop where he'll go like that, and then he'll stab and he'll, like, do the stomp. You know how he's always stomping, like, just in general, but he literally does, like, this heavy stomp, and he'll, like, chip it. Cross. I want to kind of like, then get the fake.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Off season.

[C]

That's my goal.

[E]

That's what.

[C]

So then Jenny, when we play, I'm gonna be like, oh, no.

[E]

And I'll be like, she's gonna cross. Oh, the second you go like this, I'm gonna be like, oh, she's going to stab. Cross. So.

[C]

And then I'll just drop shot.

[E]

I already know it's. I already know it's coming.

[C]

We're going to be guessing.

[D]

Yeah.

[E]

Okay, next question from Allison Duong. Can you discuss the pros and cons of each Grand Slam facilities and food for the players? Best overall Grand Slam facility.

[B]

That's a great question.

[C]

Facility.

[A]

Grand Slam.

[B]

Australia.

[D]

Australia, yes.

[E]

They have, like, three floors of food. Like, top floor is what sushi is, like, Asian. Like, sushi, like.

[B]

And they have the tap.

[C]

Tapas are all.

[E]

They're so good. Smoothies. Second floor is, like pasta, grill, salad bar, bowls, stir fry.

[C]

I think overall, literally everything. And dessert. Australia wins.

[E]

Yeah, Australia wins.

[C]

And then also, it also tastes like, the freshest, like, when they do the grill, like, if. If you want something different, you can do tapas or smoothies or do the sushi bar. But, like, the grill, they literally just make it right there, like, super fresh. So good.

[D]

Yeah.

[E]

Like steak, salmon, chicken.

[C]

Yeah, whatever you want. They literally have it. It's all marinated, and they just throw it on the grill.

[B]

Yeah, they've got, like, daily specials, which is nice and just like, changes everything up. So if you get sick of it.

[D]

But yeah, I think.

[B]

I think Australia is the best.

[E]

Overall.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Well, also, like, the locker rooms. The locker rooms are huge. They're so nice. It's all. It's all brand new and updated.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

The NTC with the indoor courts and all the other practice courts and the ice baths and everything, it's just. I mean, it's the best easily.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

So.

[B]

And it's just also easy to get around, too. And I mean, they let you see really early on, and they're so player friendly.

[C]

The indoor isn't that far either, so it's not like you're trekking like Wimbledon. It's kind of a grind, like, to get to a Rangi. It's like, not the quick. Well, they have the cart now, so I guess it's Better.

[D]

Yeah. Yeah.

[C]

It's not that far, but I. Even going to the. The indoors at the Open is, like, insane. You have to literally walk.

[A]

We have to walk through all the people.

[D]

Yeah, it's. Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

And there's only really three courts. Four cores, isn't there indoors?

[C]

Or nine doors.

[E]

There's. And there might be.

[C]

Well, they. But they take it off because they.

[B]

Sponsors events and stuff.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

And they added that indoor. What's good about the US Open is that they opened up that it's been.

[E]

A while he's gone indoors.

[B]

The Chase indoor area, and they've got food over there, and so you're not so congested. Like, if you're practicing over there or at the P courts. I don't know if you guys ever practice there, but Devil's players practice over there outside the park. And we can just like, go hang out at the indoor P. Yeah. Oh, my gosh.

[E]

P7. 24 or something.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

But, yeah, they have got that indoor area where you can just eat there and not just be so congested in the main dining area, because it is. It's not that big of a space, so.

[C]

And then Jambon at Roland Garros is really nice, but it's a little farther. Like, you have to take a car, which I would say is the only downside. But it's also very nice. Like, that's relatively good.

[B]

You can. Yeah, you can just stay there and not have to go in on site. I think that's what's good about that.

[E]

That's the good part about that one is that the Jabon at French Open, the off site, you could walk there, but, like, obviously people. Players don't walk, but, you know, like, you could literally just stay there and not even have to go on site on site. Like, whereas, like, you know, like, for Wimbledon and US And Australian Open, like, to, like, really, like, shower and have, like, a proper lunch, like, you'd have to, like, still go to the main site, like, main dining area, locker rooms and all that. But, like, I feel like you can.

[B]

Also do it on the indoor side, too. The indoor has everything where you can do all that, which is nice.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

You could also stay at. You could also stay at Orangi.

[C]

Orangi is kind of like that. Maybe the closest one next to Jean, I would say.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Because now the locker rooms are pretty big where you could actually just use that locker room. But I would say that's what ends up making our days, like, so freaking long, is that you're like.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Maneuvering around the side and the next thing you know, you've been there for six hours in the whole day.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

You play first dawn and you're done. You're leaving the side at like 5pm Like.

[D]

Yeah, yeah.

[C]

It just.

[E]

Well, then it takes you like 30 minutes to like go from the court to the shower and then to dining. It's like, then all of that. It just adds up to like an extra hour. Who has the best gym?

[C]

Literally?

[E]

What's everyone thinking about?

[D]

Who's Australia?

[A]

I mean, Australia. Australia has like nine gyms now.

[E]

Yeah, they have a bunch of gyms and warm up areas and so much space.

[B]

Stretching area.

[D]

Yeah, yeah.

[E]

Like, I think just like so much space.

[C]

Space is always the thing that they're all looking for. Like, that's. I think that's what's hard with the French now in the US Open is that there's not really a lot of space for them to expand. So. Yeah, that's always tough.

[E]

But yeah, okay, so maybe last question. Yeah, from. Okay, last question from Brij Khaled. If you had a Walk on Court song, what would it be? Oh, I think I know mine. Seven Nation Army.

[B]

That's a good song.

[C]

Oh, yeah, that's a good one. I think I want to go with like a 50 cent. Like, really in a. Like, you probably couldn't play it because it would just be like bleeped out the entire song. But if they, like, there was a scenario where. No, not that one. If there was a scenario where they didn't have to bleep it out, it would be hard, but, like, probably not possible.

[E]

Oh, it's hard to like, think of.

[A]

One on the spot.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

No, I actually was scrolling on my Spotify, like on JoJo Radio to see. Wow, what would I like? What was that?

[E]

Oh, my gosh. That's cheating. You have to think of. Come on. All right, Maddie.

[B]

Kendrick Lamar, One of those songs.

[A]

I don't know. It's. I'm literally just a girl and I'm like the girly girl to the core. Shania Twain, let's go girls could run through a wall every time.

[B]

Great song.

[E]

Oh, I thought you were saying I'm just a girl. Like that song, Shania Twain, when we said I'm just let's go girls. And then you were like, I'm a girly girl. So I thought.

[A]

No, I'm saying Shania Twain. Shania Twain, Stan. And like, I watched her Netflix documentary was like so hype. After. Could. Could like lift any amount of weight in the gym after watching A Shania Twain documentary.

[C]

I love.

[A]

She's great.

[B]

That documentary was good.

[C]

We just decided for Billie Jean King cup because we had to pick a walkout song. And so we went with Enter Sandman, which goes.

[E]

Oh, that's so.

[C]

I mean, I was like, you can't really. Not like someone mentioned it. I was like, okay, well, we have to pick that one now. Like, what?

[E]

That's really good.

[C]

Did you guys actually see when they played at. Is it Virginia Tech and they actually set off the like Richter scale for earthquakes with this song? No. Oh, yeah, it was pretty wild.

[E]

Oh, mine would also be Mr. Brightside. No, that song's so good. Bill's Mafia.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

No, that song, they play that in the middle of games and everybody, the entire stadium goes nuts for this song.

[E]

I mean, it's so waiting, still waiting.

[B]

We're still waiting to get the invite.

[E]

We're still waiting to go to a Bills game. I don't know who I should contact about tickets. Yeah, maybe I should just go on Ticketmaster.com stump hump.

[C]

Yeah, probably.

[E]

No.

[A]

No, we don't want to.

[C]

Every episode that we go through, by the way, Jenny is more and more obsessed with Josh Allen.

[D]

Yeah. Yeah.

[E]

I didn't think it's possible, but everything. And I've crossed it.

[C]

Wait, which by the way, that just.

[B]

Reminded me of Wednesday.

[E]

Oh, yeah. Hand.

[B]

The thing.

[E]

Thing. Yeah, I'm not good with characters. Mickey, Minnie, whatever.

[C]

The game. Can we just shout out the Bills? That game.

[B]

Wow.

[C]

Wild. And Jenny being obsessed with Josh Allen. Slept through the entire thing for like 20 hours.

[E]

That was the longest.

[C]

Didn't see a second of the game.

[E]

I was like, oh, I'm gonna go in bed at 4:30 and then that way I can just have a little like, you know, just a little recover and then I'll watch the game.

[C]

Watch the game.

[E]

Didn't wake up till 8am 8am this morning and missed. And I was like, holy shit, it was a game. I was like, what a bummer. I missed it.

[D]

Gosh.

[E]

Yeah, he just continues to just break every record, every single game. And yeah, I think this year's the year. This year's the year. He's gonna get the ring. He's gonna get the ring.

[C]

I thought we were going. I thought you were doing this.

[B]

I thought you were doing this too.

[E]

E.T.

[D]

Phone home.

[E]

No. Okay, thank you for the fan questions this week, everyone. Make sure you either email or just slide into the players box. Pod DMs for fan questions.

[A]

Thank you everyone for listening to the latest episode of the Players Box. Please leave us a rating and review. It helps people find out about the podcast. Don't forget to watch us on the players box YouTube page and if you want to ask us a question, we will be dropping Q A opportunities on Instagram at the Players Box pod or email [e-mail] See you next week.