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Madison Keys
This is the players box.
Desiree Krafczyk
Hi, everybody. Welcome back to the players box. I'm Desiree Krafczyk alongside Jenny Brady, Madison Keys and Jess Fagula. As always, a friendly reminder to please give our podcast five stars and subscribe on YouTube. We are a week away from the second Grand Slam of the year. We're all making our way to Paris and we will talk about what's going on in and after Rome, respond to the beef we apparently have with the boys in the other podcast, and give our top five horror movies. But first, let's get into our unforced errors of the week. Jenny.
Jenny Brady
Actually, my unforced error happened this morning. I went to sprouts at 7am I got there and noticed my shirt fell a little bit weird. Like, it was fitting a little bit more snug than usual, especially in the back. Thought it was getting a little big back. But then I looked down and realized not only was it facing the wrong way, it was inside out as well. So I had my shirt on backwards and inside out, and then I actually took it off and put it on normally right before I went into the store. Maddie.
Madison Keys
So this week we were at a hotel where you make your own eggs. Like, if you want them fried,
Jess Fagula
you
Madison Keys
just have to, like, make them yourself. It's like something that you would, like, make pancakes on, and then they just have these tiny little skillets sitting on top of it. And it was just one of those days where, you know when you wake up and you're just like, today's just like, not a good day. Like, things are just not. We're not vibing. So I went downstairs to, like, make my eggs and everything and crack the eggs and then go to, like, dump the salt. And the top came off and the whole thing came pouring out over my egg. And I just, like, stood there and stared at it and was like, should I cry or can I come back from this? Almost took me. Almost took me down. But I persevered and had a better day.
Jess Fagula
Jess. Yeah, I had one actually, just today. I just got to Paris and I went to the courts and my hitting partner, Spencer, we both had like an espresso macchiato and we. Now that the cafe is upstairs, now we were upstairs, I went to, like, press the elevator button and I had it in my hand, like in the little tiny cups, and, like, they fill it to the top. And I maybe took like one sip and I don't know what happened. Sometimes I put it in my mouth. Do you guys do that? Yeah, we, like, hold the cup with your teeth. And my hands are full. And I press the button. And as I was doing this, it somehow, like, sloshed and splattered against the wall and all the way on my jacket. And Spencer was just like. We were just dying laughing because it was literally all over the wall of the elevator upstairs. And it was, like, on the. Like, the wall. Like, it looked. Literally looked like I splashed. I just threw it on there. And he goes, oh, well, there goes your coffee.
Desiree Krafczyk
And I was.
Jess Fagula
I still have, like, all of it in there. And he's like, how is that possible? It looks like all of it's on the wall and all over the side of my arm. And I was like, I have no idea how I still have literally all of my drink left. And so then I was like, what do I do? Like, I don't know what to do. And I just left there.
Jenny Brady
Oh.
Jess Fagula
I didn't know where there was any napkins, and there was no one there. And I was literally like, the elevator came, and I was like. So he's like, just leave it. I'm like, okay. And then I went downstairs and got napkins and wiped off my jacket. So I'm really sorry to whoever had to unfortunately clean up the espresso macchiato murder scene at the elevator. So, yeah, I don't know what happened.
Desiree Krafczyk
I'm sure there's camera footages.
Jess Fagula
Yeah, I'm sure.
Jenny Brady
Yeah.
Jess Fagula
Standing there, like, just staring at it, like, trying to make a decision. And I just left.
Madison Keys
Should we ask for the cctv?
Desiree Krafczyk
We should.
Jess Fagula
I don't know how I still had my, like, literally was still full. He's like, how is that possible? I'm like, I have no idea. I don't know what. How that happened, Des.
Desiree Krafczyk
Well, I had sort of a similar accident, but probably not as public. I was eating my canned tuna that I got that I showed you guys. And as I was, like, in a rush to go to. I was in a rush to go to practice, and I was, like, trying to be careful with it, and it wasn't, like, fully finished. And there was all the oil from, like, the olive oil that was with the tuna. And I completely spilled all over the floor in my room and did not make, like, the trash can area. And, like, it was so bad because I was like, how am I supposed to clean this up? So I had all this oil on the floor, all the tuna, and I cleaned it up as much as I could with water and everything. But, like. Like, I didn't know what to do. And I came back to my room after practice, and it just stank. It was bad. Like, it was so bad.
Jess Fagula
Yeah. So gross.
Jenny Brady
It's definitely gonna be smelly.
Desiree Krafczyk
I had a little room spray in here, so it was fine. It was a little mixture of tuna and little, you know, positano spritz spray that I bought, so, you know, it's fine.
Jess Fagula
Does it smell right now?
Desiree Krafczyk
No, but I felt bad for the cleaners. Sorry. Sorry for that mess. But we all have a collective winner, which is that we're launching the players box social club on Patreon. The goal is for, I guess, for everyone to feel like it's a community so they can get a little bit more behind the scenes of the group chat. Some perks include ad free listening, extra bonus content after the episodes, an exclusive
Jenny Brady
submission for fan questions, low stakes advice, and even episode segment suggestions. Out of context group chat screenshots, exclusive
Jess Fagula
merch sale items, and discounts.
Madison Keys
We also want to hear from all of you, so tell us what you want to see there, and we'll keep adding as we go. Go to patreon.com theplayers box to sign up.
Desiree Krafczyk
Okay, so who won the unforced error?
Madison Keys
I thank you.
Jenny Brady
Yeah, that's tough.
Desiree Krafczyk
What about Jess?
Jenny Brady
That's more of an unforced error for whoever has to clean it up. She kind of just looked at it
Madison Keys
and was like, smell of coffee is also way better than canned tuna right next to your.
Desiree Krafczyk
Yeah, no, that's fair.
Jess Fagula
But it.
Madison Keys
Yeah.
Desiree Krafczyk
Yay. Another unforced Erwin for me.
Madison Keys
Good job, Des.
Desiree Krafczyk
Thanks, guys. You've heard us talk about one skin before, and honestly, whether you're the kind of person who's constantly trying every new skincare thing that drops or you've been loyal to the same two products for years, I feel like everyone hits that point where you look in the mirror and you're like, wait, my skin's just not doing what it used to do? That's really what one skin changed for me. It wasn't just like, oh, this is a nice moisturizer. It actually works differently than anything else I've tried.
Jenny Brady
Because what's interesting is, as we age, some of our skin cells basically stop functioning the way they should. Scientists actually call them zombie cells, which is unsettling, but also kind of makes sense. And those are what drive a lot of the stuff we start noticing. Fine lines, loss of firmness, that dullness that kind of sneaks up on you.
Jess Fagula
And One Skin's OS1 peptide is specifically designed to target that. So you're still getting everything you want from good skincare hydration, smoother texture, but it's also doing something most skin care just isn't built to do.
Desiree Krafczyk
For me, I've been using OS1 serum and the first thing I've noticed was how it feels. It's super lightweight, not greasy at all. But over time what really stood out is how much more even and just healthier my skin looks. And I've tried a lot of skincare so I don't say that lightly. This is one of the few things that actually stuck with my routine.
Jenny Brady
I even got my friend to try it and now they're fully on board too, which kind of says everything. And it's not just me. One Skin has four peer reviewed clinical studies, over 10,000 five star reviews and they've even been recognized by Bloomberg as a leader in skin longevity.
Jess Fagula
Born from over a decade of longevity research, One Skin's OS1 peptide is proven to target the visible signs of aging, helping you unlock your healthiest skin now and as you age. For a limited time, try OneSkin with 15% off using code PlayersBox and at OneSkin Co PlayersBox. That's 15 off OneSkin Co with code PlayersBox. After you purchase, they'll ask you where you heard about them. Please support our show and tell them we sent you. Okay, what is your weekday breakfast routine like with early morning practices? I don't have a ton of time to make a full meal.
Jenny Brady
I just grab it on the way out the door and it's 35 grams of protein, 27 essential vitamins and minerals, no artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors. Gluten free and under $5 per meal. That's cheaper than a latte, but it fills me up and gives me what I need to start the day.
Desiree Krafczyk
I've also been loving the Black Edition powder. When I want something a little bit more filling, it's 40 grams of protein. Shake it with water and it's a full meal in under a minute.
Jenny Brady
If you're trying to stay consistent on those busy days, this makes it incredibly easy.
Madison Keys
Limited Time offer Get Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% off with my code players box at HU. New customers only. Thank you to Hewl for partnering and supporting our show. So our first tennis headline of the week, Nothing Major has called us out because apparently they invented giving advice also and pet peeves. So I guess we should just run everything by Nothing Major before we film anything. So sorry if we're late putting things out now because we have to run everything by the Nothing Major guys.
Desiree Krafczyk
Yeah thanks, guys. Thanks. Thanks, Sam.
Jenny Brady
And I hope they don't think we stole food reviews from them or podcasts. Yeah, we took the idea of starting a podcast from them apparently.
Jess Fagula
Maybe they started food reviews on the Internet as well.
Jenny Brady
Yeah.
Madison Keys
Did they start the Internet they invented.
Desiree Krafczyk
No copywriting here, guys.
Madison Keys
Oh, nothing major.
Jess Fagula
Started the Internet and podcasts and they will send acs and what would he call it?
Jenny Brady
Assist.
Jess Fagula
I can't wait to get that, considering it does not exist. Yeah, so. But thanks guys for the shout out, guys. John said he. John said he. He's a fan. Stevie also kind of call. It's really just kind of. Sam.
Jenny Brady
Stevie just sat there.
Jess Fagula
Okay, well, moving on, tournaments this week. Does Maddie, you both went and played the 125 in Paris. Maddie, you made finals. Des, you made semis finals. Oh, finals. Sorry, I kept forgetting. It was so. It was like such a short drive. So anyways, both making finals. How. How was it?
Madison Keys
The club is so nice. Such a nice club. Such great court. And there was. There's like full stands and lots of people came to cheer. It was so rainy and so cold.
Desiree Krafczyk
So cold.
Madison Keys
I don't think anyone finished a match without a rain delay the entire week.
Desiree Krafczyk
I did.
Madison Keys
Oh, except for dez.
Jess Fagula
Did you?
Madison Keys
She beat the rain by like three minutes one day. But the first match, yeah, it was a great event. I kind of hurt myself in the finals, but, like, I don't think that it's too serious, obviously, being super conservative so that I can be ready for Roland Garros. But yeah, kind of sucks when you're up in a final and you have to stop, but what can you do?
Desiree Krafczyk
We got to spend some time together. That was fun. And then, yeah, I went after Rome as well, I think a day after Maddie. And we just wanted to get some more matches because I felt like we were playing well in Rome and we just wanted to. With me and my partner, we just wanted to play some more matches. And we actually had some good matches. It wasn't just like, you know, it was still a strong tournament for 125k
Jess Fagula
because everyone that's the draw was stacked.
Desiree Krafczyk
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Jess Fagula
And the singles and doubles, it was stacked. Like when I saw the draws for both of them, which to be expected, like, there's nowhere else to go. And Strasburg doesn't start till this week. So there was a lot of really good players at that tournament for sure.
Desiree Krafczyk
They do a good job too, with the tournament. I mean, could easily be a higher event, but it is nice. Like Maddie said, there's so many fans that come and watch people from the club and it's nice to play in like a filled out stadium. For sure.
Jess Fagula
Des, you're in straws now. Strasbourg.
Desiree Krafczyk
I am here. No rain yet, so it's been nice.
Jenny Brady
I actually really like Strasburg.
Jess Fagula
I love it.
Jenny Brady
You take the little. The little tram.
Desiree Krafczyk
Yeah, the little tram into the city.
Jenny Brady
Can you still take it for free with your. With your credential?
Desiree Krafczyk
I didn't bring my credential.
Madison Keys
You can try.
Desiree Krafczyk
I just did it anyways.
Jenny Brady
I know. I was just going to say, I think actually whenever I've taken it, I just hopped on.
Desiree Krafczyk
No, it's great.
Madison Keys
Sana CIA ties her career high ranking of 21 in her final year. She has been playing unbelievable.
Desiree Krafczyk
Yeah, she's playing great tennis.
Madison Keys
Yeah. I feel like she's just gonna like end on top and then just mic drop it and walk away.
Jess Fagula
But do we think she's gonna come back? What if she finishes like 12 in the world or something? Which is. She doesn't. I saw a thing. She doesn't have any points to defend till July.
Madison Keys
Whoa.
Jenny Brady
I mean, Panetta did it, right?
Madison Keys
She did do it.
Jenny Brady
She won the US Open. And then she's like, see ya.
Madison Keys
I don't know. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Jenny Brady
Yeah.
Desiree Krafczyk
If you're that high ranked too, I mean, and you're playing unreal, you're probably itching to keep coming back. But then it's like, oh, right.
Jenny Brady
But then it's like, can I top it?
Jess Fagula
Another person that's playing amazing. Alina. This year Svitolina beat Coco to win. Win Rome. The third time she's won Rome.
Jenny Brady
Yes.
Madison Keys
Yes.
Jess Fagula
Probably her biggest title coming back since being a mom. Like there's a lot. She's like barely lost any matches this year. I saw a stat. She's eight. No. In clay court finals, she beat Rebakina, iga, Coco back to back to back, all in three sets. Yeah. She just is absolutely crushing it this year. I also saw. What was it? Didn't another Ukrainian win? Well, I guess Marta won Madrid. She won Rome and then didn't. Yes. Shtrumpsko.
Desiree Krafczyk
She won Parma and 125k.
Jess Fagula
Yeah, the same this week. So it's kind of crazy how. I mean, that's. I don't think that's ever happened before, probably.
Madison Keys
Well, Svitolina won ruin before Madrid.
Jess Fagula
Yes.
Desiree Krafczyk
Oh, wow.
Madison Keys
So these questions are winning all of the titles. I was watching on Tennis channel and I heard a stat during the final that Coco had I think they said she's never lost a final to someone outside of the top five.
Desiree Krafczyk
Whoa.
Jess Fagula
Wow.
Madison Keys
She's. I think it was something like 90 in finals when she's playing someone outside of the top five.
Jenny Brady
So,
Madison Keys
I mean, huge win for Svitolina. And speaking of moms crushing it, Ronda Rousey. Hope I just said her name right. Needed just 17 seconds to take down Gina. Someone help me.
Jenny Brady
Carano.
Madison Keys
There we go.
Desiree Krafczyk
Yeah. Well done, Jenny.
Jess Fagula
I love that Maddie's doing the MMA segment. Yeah.
Jenny Brady
Even though Jess was an MMA fighter. Apparently.
Desiree Krafczyk
Yeah.
Madison Keys
What?
Desiree Krafczyk
That's such a fun fact.
Jess Fagula
My past life. Yeah. Yeah.
Desiree Krafczyk
Tell us about that.
Jess Fagula
Wow. I was coming back from an injury, and I just was, like, a super MMA fan, and I was obsessed with Ronda Rousey. Obsessed. And I did it as, like, cross training when I was coming back, and I really loved it. Like, loved it. So I did, like, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I did wrestling. I did Muay Thai. I, like. I did, like, all of it. And we would just do. I would do some of these, like, private lessons, and we would just do random stuff, but I also did some Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I wasn't very good because Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a lot of, like, practice and time. So, like, I didn't have that, but, like, I could armbar you if anyone knows.
Desiree Krafczyk
I'm okay.
Jenny Brady
Oh, yeah.
Madison Keys
Should we try it on the pot?
Desiree Krafczyk
Yeah. Yeah, you gotta really get some views.
Jenny Brady
Should we do it when you come home? I'll pass it.
Jess Fagula
I know. Like, do it in submissions. Yeah, we could do some in the garage.
Desiree Krafczyk
Girl, you need Jennifer.
Jess Fagula
I said armbar because Ronda Rousey's, like, her signature move is her armbar. So she, like, takes you down really fast and, like, breaks your arm. You know, I wouldn't act like she doesn't actually break everybody's arm because they usually tap because their arm is literally bent, like, sideways.
Desiree Krafczyk
But anyways, I didn't know you had.
Madison Keys
You had that in you tapping out.
Jess Fagula
Yeah. It's really fun, guys. It's so fun.
Jenny Brady
Yeah. I really want to do Jiu Jitsu.
Jess Fagula
It is, like, so fun. And it's the best, best. Like, I don't know. It's very humbling. It's a very fun experience when you learn how to, like, defend yourself. And it's a really good workout.
Desiree Krafczyk
And I feel like I would get overwhelmed.
Jess Fagula
That's my MMA life. That's how I broke my nose, though. I broke my nose. Someone kneed me in the face, and I broke my nose. So I kind of stopped after that because I didn't want to break it again.
Desiree Krafczyk
That's a good reason.
Jess Fagula
But it was a great time, guys. It was a great time.
Desiree Krafczyk
You should try it.
Jess Fagula
But yes, I highly recommend. So what about Darderi coming out in sunglasses but then kind of snubbing the ball, kid? That was tough. Tough, tough, tough.
Madison Keys
I mean, I'm sure he didn't see the ball, kid.
Jess Fagula
No, I don't think he did because he was doing it in. In the other matches. I think he just.
Desiree Krafczyk
Oh, was.
Jess Fagula
He got caught up in the moment.
Madison Keys
Was that semi finals?
Jess Fagula
I think so.
Jenny Brady
Yeah.
Jess Fagula
Yeah. Against Casper Masters at home.
Madison Keys
You're probably so nervous and so amped and he was probably just ready to be on the court and just missed the child.
Jenny Brady
Tunnel vision.
Madison Keys
Other Italian. That's absolutely killing. It is. Janik Sinner has now won nine Masters in a row.
Jess Fagula
I don't know what's going on.
Madison Keys
Crazy how.
Jess Fagula
Wow.
Jenny Brady
Like, I don't know.
Desiree Krafczyk
I don't even know what to say. I'm speechless. Me too.
Jess Fagula
Same. I'm just like, well, he's going to win, so he's going to win French Open. It's just like crazy what he's doing right now.
Madison Keys
So he's won every single Masters now and it was what, six in a row? I think I said nine in a row, but I think he's won six in a row. So he's on like a 36 match streak. He's only lost one match all year in Australia and everyone was like, we don't know what's going to happen this year.
Desiree Krafczyk
I don't know how he's going to do.
Jess Fagula
I don't have, like, yeah, like Des said, I don't really have words for what he's accomplishing right now. And now that Carlos is hurt. Yeah. He's gonna clean up, I think, for a little while.
Desiree Krafczyk
It's definitely the fair.
Madison Keys
Surely he has to be tired.
Jenny Brady
Yeah. Or bored. Does he get tight?
Madison Keys
Either.
Desiree Krafczyk
Like, oh, my God. I'm like, oh, my God. Going for, you know, history here. Nope, guess not.
Jess Fagula
He didn't look great in the semifinal. He threw up.
Jenny Brady
Yeah.
Desiree Krafczyk
Didn't the rain kind of save him a little bit?
Jess Fagula
I mean, he was winning in the third, but when he lost the second, like at the beginning of the second, he looked like he was really struggling physically. So to that point, I don't know if he's nervous, like, if it was like anxiety is. He's anxious because I know he really wanted to win Rome. That was the Only one he hasn't won. And obviously he's Italian and like, all that. Maybe he actually did the nerves. Feel some nerves. Except they didn't because he won the dirt.
Madison Keys
He did it.
Jenny Brady
Yeah. I mean, they got the opponent more.
Jess Fagula
I don't know. It's wild. So how do you guys prep for a slam?
Madison Keys
Not like Yannick.
Jenny Brady
Yeah.
Madison Keys
No.
Jess Fagula
Do you come in on a six Masters winning streak?
Madison Keys
No.
Desiree Krafczyk
Nope.
Jess Fagula
No, definitely not. But actually, how does. How is everyone prepping, dez?
Desiree Krafczyk
Well, I mean, for me, I obviously like playing matches and getting some more matches. I feel like I haven't played as many matches in, like, the last few weeks. So, like, playing the 125k, that helped get a couple more matches under our belt and get a little bit more confidence playing together. So I usually play the week before a slam. Um, but doubles always starts on a Tuesday at French Open. So, Yeah, I mean, whenever we're done here, we'll head to Paris and then maybe take a day off and then get into match or match mode, into, like, practice. Practice mode in a way, and then get ready for Tuesday. So kind of just like any other
Madison Keys
tournament, really, I've done it all sorts of ways. I've played the week before and not done well. I've played the week before and won and then come right in and had one day, typically I would take it off and then I play a match the next day. I've done it where I haven't had any warmup because I've been injured and I just roll straight into a slam. And then there's other weeks where it feels like you have the match count that you need and you feel ready, so you just kind of taper a little bit and have the week before be a practice week. But I think I've done it every single way. So I don't have any answers, really.
Jenny Brady
Well, for me, it's kind of foreign considering I haven't played a slam since 2023. And then even before that, I feel like the last time I played was 2021. So, honestly, I haven't really played that many, but just because I've been injured, but kind of similar to Maddie, like, I've done the. Where I've played the week before, but usually I would prefer to not play the week before and maybe show up and just practice on site, kind of get used to my bearings. I get a little bit overwhelmed in the beginning at tournaments just being on site, so I like to settle in a little bit. And yeah, I think just not playing the week before, it hasn't really helped me or I don't know, I don't know. I wish I had played more slabs to really have an answer.
Jess Fagula
But my goal is to not play the week before at all this year. But I think before I would kind of use it as like a crutch. Cause I didn't have to think about going into a slam because I used to not play the week before a slam or just the few times that I did and I would be like a basket case and it was like too much and I'd be like, like overthinking everything. And so then I would start playing as a way to like avoid that. Which helped in a way. But now I had to go back to like, okay, I can't be playing the week before every single slam. I need to be okay with not doing that. So I've become much better at that.
Madison Keys
I think it depends on the year that you're having. Like if you've had the matches, then you're good. If you feel like you haven't had matches, sometimes playing more is better. Confidence. I do think it's really funny because when I first started the practice weeks, like Quali's weeks were pretty empty. Practices wouldn't be open to the public, they weren't streamed. And I would always kind of start laughing because it's like the first couple of days early in the week, everyone's having a great time, we're just practicing, it's fun. And then as days got closer and closer, it was like rackets started flying. People are screaming.
Jess Fagula
Yeah.
Madison Keys
People are freaking out. You're like, it's almost slam time.
Jess Fagula
Yeah, it's like people start really kind of losing it at the end. Like you have a couple practices with some girls and it's like tense because either like, either you're not playing well or they're not playing well and you're like, oh, it's definitely the start of a slam soon.
Madison Keys
I think it's. I don't think it's quite as bad anymore because we're all on our best behavior because there's people in the world streaming and you know if you freak out, it's going to be on Twitter later and someone's going to be like, haha, they're melting.
Jenny Brady
Yeah, it's like the coach is walking on eggshells. It's like, oh, do I say something? Do I not say something? Yeah, it's. Tensions are high and very emotional. Everyone just wants to play their best.
Madison Keys
So we just got some live breaking news mid Filming that mute pantsed himself during his match.
Jess Fagula
Talk about people getting.
Desiree Krafczyk
Losing it.
Jess Fagula
People losing it. Before a slam against Fokina Davidovich Vokina. It was only three. Two.
Madison Keys
Wow.
Desiree Krafczyk
Like, just his pants or both of them? Like, what is it?
Madison Keys
Well, I would hope it was just his shorts.
Jess Fagula
Yeah, yeah.
Desiree Krafczyk
You never know.
Jess Fagula
It's just the shorts. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Jenny Brady
Just wow.
Jess Fagula
I'm looking at the picture now. The ball kid in the background.
Jenny Brady
Oh, my gosh. In his. Oh, my gosh.
Madison Keys
In his little black tidies. I would love to know the thought process. Like, you know when you lose a point and you're really mad and you're like, whatever pops into your head first is like the thing that you're gonna do, whether it's scream or throw your racket or whatever. Never in my life has pull my pants down hit me in the option to do.
Jess Fagula
No, I think Marat did it, though. But I don't think he was.
Jenny Brady
Yeah, he did.
Jess Fagula
He did one time.
Jenny Brady
Yeah, but he showed his butt.
Desiree Krafczyk
Yeah, he showed his cheeks.
Jess Fagula
Yeah, he actually showed his butt. Yeah, but was he mad or was he just being like.
Jenny Brady
No, I think he was mad.
Desiree Krafczyk
I mean, interesting.
Jenny Brady
Very emotional. Like, tensions were high. Sometimes you do things and you don't even realize. Like, sometimes, like, I'll grab my skirt or something, but, you know, you're not
Jess Fagula
gonna take your skirt off.
Jenny Brady
Yeah, but. Yeah, I. I would hope not. But, yeah, maybe that's what he did. Maybe he grabbed his shorts and then he was like, screw it, I'm just gonna pull him all the way down because he had a point penalty. The point before or whatever. He already had a point penalty after throwing his rocket.
Desiree Krafczyk
So. Wow.
Madison Keys
So the pants have to come off.
Jenny Brady
So maybe now he's got cancer. A game penalty. Surely he got something for that.
Madison Keys
I don't, but how would you get a code for that?
Jess Fagula
Yeah, what do you do?
Jenny Brady
I don't know.
Desiree Krafczyk
You took your pants.
Jenny Brady
He needs to tie him tighter. They fell down.
Jess Fagula
Yeah, because it's not like he showed. It's not like it was nudity. Like he was showing, like, public news. Pull the shorts down, he'd get arrested.
Madison Keys
We'll have to. We'll have to ask a supervisor.
Desiree Krafczyk
I'd love to know what that fine would look like. Yeah, like what they write on there. Mute pulls pants down and moons. Well, not moons, but.
Jenny Brady
Yeah, that would make it on the wall at Tulsa if, you know.
Madison Keys
You know, so funny. TBT to juniors. You don't know.
Desiree Krafczyk
I don't know.
Jenny Brady
Yeah, they have a wall of all the code of conducts.
Madison Keys
So years and years and years ago, they thought that they could like shame all of us into acting better by trying to embarrass us by writing what we were doing on court to get codes. And they forgot that we were all teenagers
Jenny Brady
and we wanted People were doing
Madison Keys
the most insane, egregious things and these poor referees had to write out a description of what the player did and it would go up on the wall and everyone for the entire week was just crowded around the wall trying to pick what your favorite thing was.
Jess Fagula
That's awesome.
Desiree Krafczyk
That's really funny.
Jess Fagula
Yeah, it was so funny.
Desiree Krafczyk
It's like a tourist attraction. Wow. Did not know that it was pure gold.
Jess Fagula
They should start doing. Oh, they shouldn't start doing that today though, I will say our new merch has been shipped and it's out. I signed a player's box social crew neck for somebody after my practice today. So thank you guys so much for buying and supporting and wearing it. We love signing players box merch. So fun. Get so many comments from fans.
Madison Keys
So we worked so hard on this design.
Jenny Brady
It was a lot.
Jess Fagula
There was colors and fonts and design. We got it done.
Desiree Krafczyk
But all the yeses and thank you guys for yes, but keep tagging us and then recording. Yeah.
Jess Fagula
Yes, tag us. It's been really cool to see you guys wear that. So yeah. Thanks.
Desiree Krafczyk
This next segment of our show is sponsored by Quince.
Jenny Brady
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Desiree Krafczyk
Quince has made it all possible and their bedding feels elevated. Real well made and just makes getting into bed something to actually look forward to.
Jess Fagula
If you're ready for a spring bedroom refresh, check out Quint's. Their duvet covers are so breathable and airy, you'll feel comfortable all night in any temperature.
Madison Keys
They also make mulberry silk pillowcases, which helps keep your skin smooth and hydrated overnight. And the best part, it's 50 to 80% cheaper than similar brands. They work directly with ethical manufacturers and cut out the middleman. So you're paying for quality, not markup.
Jenny Brady
I got the cotton velvet channel quilt in Chestnut and didn't expect to notice a huge difference, but I truly can't imagine my bedroom without Quince.
Madison Keys
Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com players box for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too. That's Q U I n c e.com sl playersbox for free shipping and 360 day returns. Quint.com players box let's get back to the show now. Thank you, Quint for sponsoring this next segment.
Desiree Krafczyk
Okay, we are going to move on to the next segment which is our top five horror movie trends. Each of us are going to list our five terrifying things that what happened to us in our lives. So Maddie.
Madison Keys
Well, I just want to say so that we don't get another cease and assist. We were inspired by Coco. She was very funny.
Desiree Krafczyk
It was very funny.
Madison Keys
We thought they were super funny and obviously light hearted and not serious. So my list was having to run through the airport and having to sit on your next flight dripping in sweat, not having any good coffee options, having the longest travel day ever and thinking about the shower that you're going to take before you get in bed. And then you get into the shower and the water pressure is terrible and there's no hot water. Getting home after you've gone to the store for one specific thing and you realize that you forgot the specific thing at the store. And when you have set your sights on a delicious dessert that you are very excited for and you take your first bite and it's not even good.
Jenny Brady
That's a very relatable list.
Jess Fagula
Mine is living without any dogs because that's just. You can't have that. FaceTime. I really don't enjoy FaceTime. I like can barely get through it. The only people I FaceTime are my husband and my sister. And it's really hard for me. I don't know why. I just, you know, like face to face. Chris, like FaceTimes me and I'm like, I just like call back on like audio. I'm just like, no, Chris, we're not doing this.
Madison Keys
Like, you get the immediate decline and text back, what do you want?
Jess Fagula
Yes, exactly. I don't know. Sometimes people have asked me like, oh, do you mind if I just like FaceTime you about this? Like, not anything weird, just like. And I'm like, oh, can you just call me like, or text me or leave me a voice note? Yeah, sorry. A hangover from a bad drink selection. By that I mean like that one night that you go out and you decide to try some like fruity, sugary thing and you're like, wow, these are so good. And then you have like three and then you just have like a sugar hangover and you feel like trash. I can't do that anymore. It takes me like a week to recover. Awful.
Jenny Brady
Yeah.
Jess Fagula
Getting stuck in a conversation you want no part of that's pretty self explanatory. Oh, wait. Actually, I have two that are very similar. So my fifth one is similar, but it's when someone else drags me into that conversation. So my husband likes to do this to me where I'm trying to leave, like I'm trying to get out, and he'll be like, oh, yeah, wait, Jess was talking about this. And he drags me in and I'm like, getting me out of here. Oh my God, have you seen him do that?
Jenny Brady
Yeah.
Desiree Krafczyk
Come back to me one second.
Jenny Brady
Come here. Just come here like, and wave you.
Jess Fagula
And I'm like halfway out the door, like just trying to get out of like the general area because I was talking to like 20 people. Whatever. This tends to happen at like big social gatherings where people just tend to want to talk to me and ask me about tennis and ask me about this. And it tends to be a lot of the same repetitive questions. So sometimes I'm like, I need to get out of here. And he will literally like find me and pull me back in. Your job is to get me out of here, not spend another hour. That's really funny that you guys have noticed that.
Jenny Brady
Yeah.
Jess Fagula
All right, Jenny.
Jenny Brady
Okay. Mine are voice notes with words
Desiree Krafczyk
you
Madison Keys
specify because you send voice notes of laughing.
Jenny Brady
Well, I like to send voice notes of myself laughing. So that way when the. When I do say hahaha, I really mean I'm laughing out loud. So that way the person understands that their joke was very funny and I would prefer some laughs, you know, voice notes from you guys.
Desiree Krafczyk
So if we send you a voice note, you're just like, oh. Or do you not even listen to it?
Jenny Brady
I read them. I'm so happy that Siri now does the. I get like overwhelmed.
Madison Keys
I read a voice note a lot of the time.
Jess Fagula
Yeah.
Jenny Brady
Yeah, 90 of the time. She doesn't transcribe it correctly, but I can use context clues.
Madison Keys
You can piece it together. It's fine.
Jenny Brady
Yeah. When the dentist asks, have you been flossing? When the bathroom stall. Yeah.
Desiree Krafczyk
Wait, what?
Jenny Brady
You know, like when they're literally in your mouth and then they're like, have you been flossing?
Madison Keys
You're like, oh, yeah.
Desiree Krafczyk
So. And they're like, I don't really.
Jess Fagula
That they're assuming you didn't.
Jenny Brady
Yeah, that they're assuming that I haven't been flossing.
Jess Fagula
Okay, well.
Madison Keys
Oh, have you been flossing?
Jenny Brady
Yeah.
Madison Keys
Okay, just checking.
Jess Fagula
So you're like, offended. Yeah.
Jenny Brady
When the bathroom stall has no toilet paper.
Jess Fagula
Yeah, that's tough.
Jenny Brady
Yeah. The only parking option is street parallel
Madison Keys
stuff.
Jenny Brady
When someone tries to get in the stall you're currently in and you have to scream out, somebody's in here,
Desiree Krafczyk
Someone's in here.
Jenny Brady
And then you see them, and then you see them trying to open the door.
Madison Keys
God forbid the lock is broken and you have to shove your foot against the door nearly.
Desiree Krafczyk
Or like when. When someone. You forget to lock it or something and it just. You have to, like, hold it. Okay, my list is the hey, can you talk? Text. Because that gets my heart racing. I don't know about anyone else. Yeah, the running is fun. Like, it's not fun, guys. I don't know if anyone else thinks that's fun, but yeah, let's go for a run. He can't even talk when you're running. But anyways, someone being in the kitchen while I'm cooking, that is like my worst nightmare.
Madison Keys
I feel like it's more of a personal space.
Desiree Krafczyk
No, I feel like it's just like, it seems I like to just do my cooking for myself self and just, hey, what are you doing? If someone's in the kitchen, like, hey, what are you doing? Well, I'm obviously cooking, but yeah, maybe it's a personal issue, but it seems
Jess Fagula
like a control problem tracks.
Desiree Krafczyk
Yeah, it is. It is a control problem. Like, I'm trying to make you dinner, but, you know, it's fine. It's okay. Looking at my past Facebook statuses, you guys, I don't know about you, but, like, I had some wild Facebook statuses back in high school and middle school. It's really hard to look at that
Madison Keys
I didn't have cringe. So.
Desiree Krafczyk
Yeah. And the last is anything to do with the airport, if you guys know me, Just the airport. Sweating in the airport. Like Maddie says, just running into people who stop in the middle of the way and, like, don't know where they're going and, like, you just run into them. It's just. It's a lot.
Jess Fagula
It's.
Desiree Krafczyk
Yeah, maybe that's another personal problem. But that's just. Yeah, that's my list.
Jess Fagula
It's their first day on earth.
Madison Keys
Okay, well, how about we jump to who am I? And I can go over my clues from last week. Yes, one, NCAA is known for his cobra, like, big forehand and at a career high. And my who am I was Ethan Quinn. He was very bummed to miss our gelato hall in Rome. He's was dying to be a part of the pod, but maybe one day.
Jess Fagula
He likes all the food reviews we need to get him for like a good.
Jenny Brady
Oh, yeah.
Jess Fagula
Because he's always. Yeah. Checking out coffee spots and love that. Different things. So we'll definitely get him on eventually.
Desiree Krafczyk
Okay, so for my. Who am I? He won the 2017 Junior Davis Cup. I'm proof that tennis can also be theater, and I've beaten top players despite being undersized. Let us know who you think it
Jenny Brady
is before we get into fan questions and low stakes advice. Just a reminder, we'll be doing more of these exclusively on the Patreon, which will drop immediately after this episode. Now let's get into some low stakes advice. Okay, first one. How do I gently let my sister know I hate it when she always talks and gives big reactions while watching tv.
Madison Keys
Honestly, so kind of you as a sister to be asking how to gently have this conversation with her. I feel like my sisters and I would have just been like, screaming at each other.
Jess Fagula
Exactly. I would have been like, shut up.
Jenny Brady
Yeah, I do that. I do that. It's hard to gently let them know. I say, just go for it.
Jess Fagula
Yeah, the gently is where you're struggling here. This is your sister. I think you just go for it.
Madison Keys
Yeah. Okay. Maybe. Maybe we're terrible at advice. Maybe she hasn't tried gently saying anything yet and we're like, just yell at her. It's fine.
Jenny Brady
Yeah, she's asking.
Desiree Krafczyk
She'll say anything. I'm an only child.
Jess Fagula
That's fine.
Madison Keys
Maybe just say like, hey, hey. It's really hard for both of us to enjoy the show if you're being your own show. Yeah, we can only focus on one show at a time.
Jenny Brady
Well, I would say maybe keep your thoughts to yourself and then we can discuss out loud after the episode as opposed to, oh, this is going to happen. Oh, he's going to do that. Oh, that, That's.
Jess Fagula
I hate that.
Jenny Brady
Okay, next one. I just got into a relationship a month ago. My job just told me I'm relocating three hours away. Stay, question mark.
Madison Keys
Do you love your job?
Jenny Brady
Yeah. Do you love your job or do you love your.
Jess Fagula
It's only been a month.
Jenny Brady
Significant other.
Madison Keys
If you like your job, I would probably go where your job is going.
Jess Fagula
Because I feel like the job
Jenny Brady
Trump's.
Desiree Krafczyk
Yeah.
Jenny Brady
If it was longer, maybe.
Madison Keys
I was watching the show the other day and someone was like, my good friend got a job offer to go to Paris and she stayed for a guy. And she was always known as the girl who didn't go to Paris because she stayed. And they were like, wait, is that Elsie from the Hills?
Desiree Krafczyk
Yes.
Jenny Brady
Oh, My gosh.
Madison Keys
Which is true. Elsie didn't go to Paris.
Jess Fagula
You. You go to Paris, you take the jobs. Especially if the Paris, like. And then what if you, if the relationship lasts through that three hour stay, then you're like, maybe it's worth it. It's only three hours.
Jenny Brady
Yeah, three hours is not that bad
Jess Fagula
for tennis players, like, who date, like traveling the world where I'm like, three hours, that's like nothing. What are you talking about?
Madison Keys
You could do that same thing.
Jess Fagula
Yeah.
Jenny Brady
You can see him the same day and drive home.
Jess Fagula
Yeah. That's not fun.
Jenny Brady
How do I identify good friends from opportunistic friends?
Desiree Krafczyk
Wow, that's a good one.
Jenny Brady
I think someone that gives you good advice when you're down and out.
Madison Keys
I think if you consistently feel like someone is using you, then I think you bring it up and voice your feelings. But then if it continues to happen, then I think you have your answer.
Jenny Brady
I think there's a difference between being nice and being genuine.
Jess Fagula
Are we saying opportunistic, like in a bad way?
Madison Keys
I think so.
Jenny Brady
I think so. Like using you.
Desiree Krafczyk
Like using them for themselves, for their like, own benefits. Yeah.
Jenny Brady
Or like clout chasing. Or using Jess for top five, too.
Madison Keys
You're not supposed to tell her, Jenny.
Jenny Brady
Sorry, guys, cat's out the bag. Okay, last one. We have our first update, so please send follow ups whether you follow our advice or not. From the person who wrecked their boss's van. The CCTV footage is grainy af. Hallelujah. Looks more like my boss than me.
Jess Fagula
Win.
Jenny Brady
Wait. That is so good.
Madison Keys
That's actually very funny.
Jess Fagula
It's really funny. What was the. The original question was?
Jenny Brady
The original question was
Madison Keys
her boss's van.
Jenny Brady
Yes. In the parking garage. She scratched it and she was debating whether to tell her boss or not. And originally I was like, no.
Madison Keys
But she also said in her first question that there was CCTV footage and her boss was going to look for it and we were all like, you're gonna get caught. I would probably say something, but apparently whatever parking garage they're in needs to pay a little bit more money for some better cameras because she's fine. Yes.
Jenny Brady
The CCTV footage is grainy af.
Desiree Krafczyk
I love that.
Madison Keys
So funny.
Jess Fagula
Yeah.
Jenny Brady
So the boss. Yeah, so the boss thinks he did it and he's like, oh, damn.
Madison Keys
I don't remember doing that. Wow.
Jenny Brady
Yeah. Actually that would be great if people would send in their follow ups because I'm very curious, especially about the 3 hours away relocation situation.
Jess Fagula
I would love to know how that ends.
Jenny Brady
Yeah.
Desiree Krafczyk
Yeah.
Jenny Brady
Or anybody doesn't end, you know, even if we didn't answer them here today. Okay, 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 or low stakes advice to our email or DMS on Instagram. Thanks everyone and see you next week.
Date: May 19, 2026
Hosts: Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, Jennifer Brady, Desirae Krawczyk
Episode Theme: Tennis Updates & Top 5 Horror Movies
In this lively and candid episode, the hosts offer behind-the-scenes insights into their recent tournaments, share self-deprecating stories from life on the road, debate tennis headlines, clap back at claims from their male podcast counterparts, and—switching gears—reveal their Top 5 “horror movie” style real-life scenarios. Listeners also get advice on sibling squabbles, long-distance relationships, and navigating tricky friendships, all in the familiar, unfiltered Player’s Box style.
Each co-host recounts a recent real-life mishap:
Jenny Brady: Wore her shirt backwards and inside out to Sprouts at 7 am.
“I had my shirt on backwards and inside out… I actually took it off and put it on normally right before I went into the store.” (00:43)
Madison Keys: Hotel breakfast egg fail—poured the entire salt shaker onto her eggs.
“The top came off and the whole thing came pouring out over my egg… Almost took me down. But I persevered.” (01:29)
Jess Pegula: Spilled espresso macchiato all over a Paris elevator wall, but somehow retained most of it in the cup.
“It looked literally like I splashed… all over the wall and all over the side of my arm. And I was like, I have no idea how I still have literally all of my drink left.” (02:17)
Desirae Krawczyk: Spilled tuna and olive oil all over her hotel floor in a rush, leading to a lingering stench.
“There was all this oil on the floor, all the tuna, and I cleaned it up as much as I could… I came back to my room after practice, and it just stank.” (04:28)
Winner: Des gets another “Unforced Error Win.”
“Yay. Another unforced Erwin for me.” (06:51)
(06:00 – 06:56)
(10:00 – 11:20)
(11:20 – 13:43)
Paris 125k Recap:
Field Strength:
Strasbourg:
(14:07 – 21:47)
Sania Mirza Ties Career-High Ranking (#21):
“She’s just gonna like end on top and then just mic drop it and walk away.” (14:20)
Svitolina’s Rome Win:
MMA Shoutout:
Darderi’s Sunglasses Ball Kid Snub:
Jannik Sinner’s Hot Streak:
(21:52 – 26:55)
Each host on prepping for Grand Slams:
Notable Quote:
“First couple days… everyone’s having a great time… Then as days got closer and closer… rackets started flying. People are screaming… it’s almost slam time.” (26:07 – Madison)
(26:55 – 31:14)
(31:14 – 31:46)
(33:14 – 41:21)
Madison’s List:
Jess’s List:
Jenny’s List:
Desirae’s List:
(41:21 – 42:32)
(42:32 – 48:32)
This episode showcases The Player's Box’s signature blend of humor, self-awareness, tennis insight, and honest friendship. Whether dissecting life’s little disasters, hype on the clay-court circuit, or subtler moments of self-recognition, Keys, Pegula, Brady, and Krawczyk deliver with authenticity and camaraderie that makes listeners feel like part of the conversation.