46 | Live from London: Wimbledon, Taste Tests & Traditions

Summary

The Player's Box – Episode 46

Live from London: Wimbledon, Taste Tests & Traditions

Release Date: June 30, 2026
Hosts: Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, Jennifer Brady, Desirae Krawczyk
Special Guest: Chef Ovi, Park Hyatt London

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Episode Overview

Broadcasting live from the Park Hyatt London during the lead-up to Wimbledon, Madison, Jessica, Jennifer, and Desirae share hilarious mishaps, insights into the tennis tour lifestyle, foodie adventures, and beloved Wimbledon traditions. This lively episode features the unveiling of new merch, candid travel stories, an elite pastry taste test with chef Ovi, and an in-depth chat on grass court tennis. The crew rounds things off with fan Q&A, quirky game segments, and their take on Wimbledon traditions—delivering both laughs and heartfelt moments.

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Key Segments & Highlights

1. Introductions & Winner/Unforced Error of the Week

[01:09–08:08]

• The crew welcomes the audience to their second ever live taping and reveals excitement over Wimbledon and their new merch drop.
  • Quote (Madison Keys): “We did our first live show in Paris, and we were so excited to do it again that we had to come back to London with Wimbledon around the corner.” [01:09]

Unforced Errors & Winners:

• Jennifer Brady: Recounts a disastrous parking lot accident, where another car backed into her, breaking her taillight, which was then run over before she could retrieve it.
  • Quote: “That was my double unforced error, double fault, whatever you want to call it.” [04:06]
• Desirae Krawczyk: Won her tournament in Eastbourne just before arriving in London—a "winner" but says it's less entertaining than Jenny's story.
• Jessica Pegula: Shares travel woes: broke the handle of her overstuffed suitcase; boyfriend had to carry it—“that was the winner part of that.”
• Keys & Krawczyk: Share an odd theatre story—attending Phantom of the Opera, distracted by persistent, loud burping from audience members behind them.
  • Quote: “For the second half of the show, it was really kind of gross. And then it just became really funny because it just didn’t stop.” [07:17]

2. Food & Taste Test with Chef Ovi

[10:35–18:13]

• The hosts dig into London's food culture and are joined by Chef Ovi from the Park Hyatt, unveiling a spread of tennis-inspired desserts:
  • Tiramisu bonbon, Cinnamon Roll, Matcha & Marzipan Battenberg, Strawberries & Cream.
• Live review: Each host samples desserts and enthusiastically describes flavors and textures:
  • Cinnamon Roll: “That’s literally like a cinnamon roll and a croissant had a baby.” [15:32]
  • Battenberg: “I love marzipan. I love matcha.” – Pegula [13:04]
  • Strawberries & Cream: “Have you guys had that at the tournament? You have to go get that.” – Keys [13:21]
• Favorite picks:
  • H (Brady): Tiramisu Bonbon
  • F (Krawczyk): Matcha Battenberg
  • E (Keys): Cinnamon Roll
  • C (Pegula): Bonbon ("not something I’m used to… super different") [17:58]
• Chef Ovi is going on holiday to Spain next and talks about local cuisine inspiration.

3. Post-match Meals & Culinary Habits on Tour

[19:02–24:45]

• The players discuss their post-match meal routines—Chicken & rice is a staple, but “adventurous” meals occasionally make an appearance.
  • Brady: “I’m known as picky and bland. Usually just chicken and rice.”
  • Krawczyk: “I like to take risks here… I had beef carpaccio, some creamy pasta, and sushi an hour before my match.” [21:09]
• Planning group dinners:
  • Krawczyk and Keys are more likely to make restaurant plans and order for the group, while Brady prefers to stick to what she knows.

4. Grass Court Tennis & Wimbledon Specifics

[25:42–31:50]

• Grass differences:
  • Ball bounces lower, favoring flatter hitters and those comfortable slicing and volleying.
  • Keys: “Someone like Jess is super happy on grass because she hits 3cm above the ground all the time.” [26:33]
  • Krawczyk: “As a lefty, we get to really use that lefty serve… you don’t need to go hitting through the court.”
• Trickiest part: Movement and adjusting from clay to grass.
  • Brady: “You’re doing sliding on clay… then grass, you’re taking choppy steps. Unless you’re Carlos Alcaraz…”
• Players to watch:
  • Those who slice, drop shot, and serve well (e.g., Tatjana Maria, Laura Siegmund).

5. Wimbledon Traditions: Proper or Problematic?

[32:26–42:32]

• Pimms cups: Hosts love the tradition but note too many is “problematic.”
• All-white dress code: Admired for tradition but noted for strictness—stories of having to change socks or cover branded visors in a hurry.
  • Keys: “Now they allow colored garments underneath. Thank God.” [34:47]
• The queue: Consensus that waiting days for tickets is “problematic,” though Krawczyk would do it for the experience.
• Protecting the grass: Hosts agree it’s “proper” not to practice on Centre Court pre-tournament due to how pristine it is.
• Silent crowds: Divided views; most unaffected by noise, but acknowledge the silence is part of Wimbledon’s unique vibe.
  • Keys: “If there was constant noise, I’d be fine. But when it’s dead silent and then you hear sound, it’s more of the problem.” [38:36]
• Royal Box: None have sat there; each shares their dream guests (e.g., Josh Allen & family, Haley Williams, Beyoncé, Jonas Brothers).
  • Brady: “In my royal box, I would have Josh Allen, his wife, Haley Steinfeld, and their baby, Harper Hayes.” [40:17]
  • Pegula: “Three Jonas Brothers… I’m a big fan.” [42:01]

6. Rapid-Fire Games

[48:45–51:15]

• "Who Am I?" Game:
  • Last week’s answer: Eva Lys (German tennis player).
  • New clues: “TikTok famous, named after a football legend, known for twerking.” (Listeners to guess for next week.)
• Fan Q&A:
  • Which tennis tradition would you change?
    • Keys: “I would ban five sets. Especially if you’re following them.”
  • Handling unsolicited advice at the courts.
    • Brady: “Just politely tell them you’re not interested in getting better.”
  • Tennis sacrifices: Missing school events, holiday plans, friendships.
  • Net play fears: Hosts advise “lots of reps” and getting comfortable by practicing up close, not being afraid of getting hit.
    • Krawczyk: “You just have to put yourself in uncomfortable positions to make you feel comfortable.” [55:41]

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Jenny’s Double Car Mishap:
  “They hit my rear tail light, and it was on the ground, and I just watched another car run right over it.” [04:04]
• Pegula’s Packing Fail:
  “I lift it and it breaks. The handle breaks as I was lifting it.” [04:59]
• Theater Mishap:
  “It was really kind of gross. And then it just became really funny because it just didn’t stop.” [07:17]
• Foodie Praise:
  “That’s literally like a cinnamon roll and a croissant had a baby.” – Pegula [15:32]
• On strict Wimbledon dress code:
  “They pretty much have backups because inevitably someone will have something that’s too much color, or… you’re out there with a white marker trying to mark out visor.” – Keys [34:33]
• On crowd silence at Wimbledon:
  “Imagine watching, like, an NBA game and just have dead silence. It’d be so weird.” – Keys [39:07]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:09] – Episode welcome, winner/error of the week
• [10:35] – Park Hyatt London scene-set, food taste test intro
• [13:04] – Dessert explanations and live reviews
• [15:57] – On-the-road food staples
• [19:02] – Post-match meal habits
• [25:42] – Talking grass court tennis
• [32:26] – Wimbledon traditions: Proper vs. Problematic
• [40:17] – Dream Royal Box guests
• [48:45] – "Who Am I?" and fan Q&A
• [51:31] – Traditions to change, advice on unsolicited coaching
• [54:07] – What tennis players sacrifice for the sport
• [55:32] – Advice for overcoming net play fears

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Episode Flow & Tone

The episode is lively, personal, and full of friendly teasing, with the hosts candidly sharing mishaps from the road, their obsessively detailed attitudes toward food and travel, and their collective love–hate relationship with tennis traditions. They keep it real with practical advice, relatable travel banter, and frank but warm camaraderie.

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Transcript

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[C]

I oh, let's go. I oh, let's go.

[D]

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[E]

This is the Players Box.

[F]

Hi, everyone, and welcome to an episode of the Players Box. I'm Desiree Krafczyk. We've got Jess Pugula over here, Madison Keys, and Jenny Brady. We are so excited for you guys to be here and to be at the Hyatt. We did our first live show in Paris, and we were so excited to do it again that we had to come back to London with Wimbledon around the corner. So thank you to everyone who showed up today. So we start every podcast with an unforced error or a winner of the week. So we actually collectively have a winner of the week, which is we have our new merch that's dropped this week or tomorrow, and we've got a few new items, some new T shirts. We've got. What else do we have?

[C]

We have a bag, a hat, and we did, like, a really cool, kind of like a green colorway. Crew neck. Crewneck, and some really cool items, if you guys want to check that out. But yeah, and a tote bag.

[F]

And then we got. Yeah, what else?

[E]

Neck. A crew neck zip, three quarter zip.

[F]

Yeah. So check those out, and those will be on our website or on Instagram or any of those. So, yeah, please check that out. So our unforced errors. Jenny, would you like to start?

[G]

Yes.

[H]

If you are a follower of the podcast, you know that a lot of my unforced errors usually come from my car. And we have another one from my car, and this might be the worst one yet. So last week, actually, I was at CVS and I was leaving and putting my car in reverse, and I noticed the car behind me, directly behind me, turn their car on. And I was like. I waited a few seconds, and I Thought, okay, I'm going to let them go. And then they didn't move. So I was like, oh, they're going to let me go. So I started to back up, and as I'm backing up, I see in my rearview mirror their tail lights come on like they're in reverse. And I was like, okay, this is weird. So I kind of slowed down and they start moving, and immediately I slam on the brakes and laid on my horn, and they just kept backing up and then backed up right into me. So, you know, I had to take my car to the dealership, had to deal with that. It was, you know, not really what I wanted to do on my Friday afternoon. But, yeah, poor little vw, she's in the shop right now getting fixed. So that's my unforced error. Someone backed up into me, and I actually. They hit my rear tail light, and it was on the ground, and I was going to go pick it up, and I just watched another car run right over it.

[I]

So.

[F]

Oh, my God.

[H]

That was my double unforced air, double fault, whatever you want to call it.

[C]

Well, I didn't know that part of the story.

[H]

Yeah, I didn't tell. I forgot to tell you guys that. And actually have a photo of the light in the. In the middle of the road.

[F]

We'll have to tag that in there. Yeah.

[H]

So, Patty, would you.

[F]

Oh, you already.

[H]

Well, would you like to share your unforced error or winner?

[E]

Well, my winner is that I won tournament yesterday. It's way less entertaining than Jenny's story.

[C]

It's a great winner.

[H]

I think I'd rather take yours.

[E]

Yeah, that was. That was kind of it. I played in Eastbourne yesterday, and we got in the car and we got to Wimbledon last night, and here I am today. So that's my winner of the week day. All the above, Des.

[F]

So my unforced error, with all the travel that we do, I was going to check in my suitcase, and I cannot put pack under 23. I don't know if anyone of you guys can relate to that or under 50 pounds. And I go up to the counter and I was with my friends, and I was like, how much do you guys think this weighs? And I lift it and it breaks. The handle breaks as I was lifting it. So I was like, okay, I think it's a little heavy. So that was my unforced error. And luckily my boyfriend ended up carrying my suitcase around for me. He's stronger than me, so that was the winner part of that. But, yeah, I think I need to get a new suitcase.

[C]

So, Jess, with how much we travel, that's not. Yeah, that's not great.

[F]

No.

[C]

Well, mine is kind of, I guess yours as well. So DEZ and I here went on Wednesday night to see Phantom of the Opera. I really wanted to see it. Love the movie, whatever. Have never seen it. So anyways, we get to like the second half of the show and we start hearing like a noise and we realize it's someone burping like multiple times. Multiple times. And it was kind of a little bit more behind you, just like the way the seats were situated. And so Tess is like. She's like, someone's burping behind us. I was like, oh, my God. I heard it. Like, I didn't realize what it was. And then obviously once you, like, notice it, you start realizing, like, every time it was also not really any AC in the theater. So, like, fanning ourselves have these fans and we're just like battling through this. This person's just burping behind us. And they were both doing it.

[F]

They would do it when it's quiet, though, when it was literally when the acts were done.

[C]

Yeah. You would just hear it. And I was kind of like, des, which one is doing it? And she would laugh. She's like, both of them. I can hear it out of this ear and then I can hear it out of this ear. And then it was mainly like my left ear. And it was so funny. And every time DEZ would like, I

[F]

would be fanning myself.

[C]

We like to say, like, DEZ gets a little sassy. So she would just be like, like, try to kind of like what? Like, make a point but not actually say something. And I was just sitting there and I would just side eye her and

[F]

I'd be like, the point was not made. Let's be honest.

[D]

For the.

[F]

For the second half of the show,

[C]

it was really kind of gross. And then it just became really funny because it just didn't stop. It wasn't like a one time thing. It was like the whole entire second half of the show.

[F]

But we love the show.

[C]

It was great.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

It was a great show. Strange. Yeah. Behavior behind us.

[E]

Yeah, it was weird.

[F]

Yeah.

[C]

So who do we think?

[E]

I think Jenny's.

[H]

I think I. I think I am voted. Voting for myself here.

[F]

Yeah. You win that unforced.

[H]

Winning the unforced error of the week tail light.

[E]

Yeah.

[H]

I just watched it happen.

[F]

That's tough.

[C]

Yeah. Jenny, you're the. The winner of the. The unforced aired.

[H]

Yeah.

[F]

I think you're. We need to keep a tally of this.

[H]

Yeah, we needed. We need to go back and take

[F]

a tally of every episode of Bathrooms and Cars.

[H]

Yeah.

[C]

Unforced errors. Yeah.

[G]

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[C]

Well, we are here at the Park Hyatt London. River Thames nestled right along the river here where you can discover a more unique side of London beyond the landmarks that you probably already know and love. So this is the perfect setting to kick off this tournament in this amazing setup, beautiful room. If you guys have been following this is. I think Des already mentioned. Welcome back to our second live taping brought to you by World of Hyatt. In Paris, where we had our first live taping, we shared some of our favorite unfiltered travel stories both on and off the court. As see, we have. We have a lot of weird stories that happen, guys. But we're excited today to give you an even more behind the scenes access to one of our. Probably our favorite topic, which is food.

[F]

We love food.

[C]

We've been waiting for this, but London is known for its world class tennis, which is why we're all here. But its legendary culinary traditions deserve their own spotlight. So joining us today from Park Height, London, is acclaimed chef Ovi, who has prepared a line of tennis inspired desserts from for us to taste test today. So we're really, really excited to dig in and see which one is the winner or takes the title. So, yeah, should be. Should be really good. These look amazing.

[E]

Wow.

[D]

Wow.

[J]

Oh.

[H]

Ooh. Thank you.

[I]

Here we are. So whether you are here for the desserts or simply like, just try her favorite croissant.

[C]

I love a croissant. It's my favorite.

[I]

Our talented pastry team prepared some beautiful items for you to try. So from here we're starting our tiramisu bonbon.

[F]

Oh, my gosh.

[H]

They love tiramisu.

[I]

So this piece is created since opening and it's beloved from our guests. The second one is the cinnamon roll, which is inspired by our art in our lobby. Ebb and flow.

[C]

Oh, I did. I saw the. The things on the wall on the ceiling. Yeah, yeah, Okay, I saw that.

[I]

Then third one, we have lemon and so Battenberg is old fashioned traditional British dessert and it's wrapped in marzipan.

[F]

Oh, my gosh. My two favorite. I love marzipan. I love marzipan. I love matcha.

[I]

And then last but not least is centric court favorite. It's strawberries and cream.

[H]

Yum.

[C]

Does anyone ever have. You guys had that if you've been to the tournament?

[F]

Yeah, you have to go get that.

[C]

Yeah, yeah. Well, this looks amazing. I know that I've had some really great food, particularly at the park height in Dubai. I stayed there for the tournament. Des actually had it as well, but we had wagyu sandwiches and fish tacos. You know, it's not quite sweet. It was during the day for lunch, but it was unbelievable. Really good test.

[F]

They were very good.

[C]

Yeah. Looked it Was incredible. So I am super excited. I think we just go for it. Do you want to try which one you want to try first?

[E]

How do we do this?

[C]

Is that my. Are you eating one?

[I]

No. No.

[C]

Is that mine? Okay. We each get our own.

[F]

What's your favorite?

[I]

My favorite is cinnamon.

[F]

Oh, wow.

[I]

It's really. It's really beautiful how it's laminated.

[H]

Let's go down the line.

[I]

It's perfect.

[C]

What do you recommend? We. We go in order for the taste.

[I]

I would say you go in order and finish with strawberries and cream.

[C]

Okay.

[F]

If there's anything on my face, let me know, please.

[H]

This is like a little mukbang video or live mukbang.

[F]

How do we closer?

[C]

Yeah, we're gonna. Sorry. All right.

[F]

It's just like you're eating in front of everyone without. They don't even have any snacks.

[H]

Oh.

[F]

Oh, okay.

[D]

Wow.

[H]

I was just gonna bite it.

[C]

Yeah, go for it.

[I]

It's the best to bite, to be honest with you.

[E]

Yeah.

[I]

This is our.

[H]

Oh, wow.

[I]

So Signature. Our head baker crafted this one since. Since pre opening, and it's one of our signature.

[F]

This is so good.

[I]

Pastries.

[C]

The. What's. I'm sorry, what's inside of it?

[I]

Tiramisu cream.

[C]

It's good.

[H]

Oh, my gosh.

[C]

Yeah. Really good. Have you guys tried any of these?

[G]

Yes.

[F]

Oh,

[C]

for breakfast.

[E]

So good.

[C]

It's incredible. Well, if you haven't, I want to have the tea that you're having.

[I]

No matter how much we producing this one disappears from the buffet every day.

[F]

Oh, my God.

[E]

Is that the buffet?

[F]

Oh,

[E]

just kidding.

[H]

Oh, my God.

[F]

Are you guys hungry yet or.

[E]

We're coming for breakfast tomorrow.

[C]

It's literally like.

[H]

Oh, my God. Before your match. Jess, little breakfast here.

[C]

That's literally like a cinnamon roll and a croissant. Had a baby. Yeah, it's very good.

[F]

This is a perfect way to describe it.

[I]

Hopefully you like it.

[H]

All right. The Battenberg cleanser.

[F]

I really want to eat this matcha because it's so pretty.

[H]

Did you get a picture first anyway?

[F]

No. You took a picture.

[C]

I did take a picture.

[F]

Phone eats first here.

[C]

What are some of your guys go to orders when you're on the road? What does everyone like to order for the table?

[E]

French fries.

[F]

Love love french fries.

[H]

I would say. I would say like a little salad.

[F]

I love chips and guac salad.

[C]

It's a salad for the table.

[F]

Why are you ordering a salad?

[C]

I don't know.

[E]

Just a nice shareable salad.

[H]

Yeah,

[F]

you can have that by yourself.

[H]

Okay, maybe not.

[E]

I'LL stick to my French fries.

[F]

Gypsum guac. Love that.

[H]

Oh, that's.

[C]

I love, like, a tuna tartar. Anything with tuna. Like, crispy tuna or something like that.

[F]

Okay. This is phenomenal.

[H]

That is.

[G]

Yeah.

[C]

That is good as well.

[H]

Delicious.

[F]

Okay.

[H]

It's like a Paris and cream.

[I]

Should we get something?

[E]

Yeah.

[F]

Well, it's not good for the chicken, but you know what? It's okay.

[C]

What is your. You said your favorite is. No, sorry. Cinnamon roll.

[F]

Yeah.

[H]

Oh, my God.

[C]

Okay, last one.

[H]

Wow.

[F]

We're almost done.

[H]

Everything was a 10 out of 10. This is our best taste test we've ever done.

[F]

Wow.

[C]

I don't know if anyone watches, but we do do some of these. Like, we just try different stuff at different tournaments or we try to fit it into. Like, the other day we did a British snack haul. So we try a bunch of different stuff depending on where we are.

[F]

We tried, like, this.

[C]

Definitely better.

[F]

Monster Crunch. We did Jammy Dodgers. Is that funny? What? Are they good? Do you like them? Yeah, those are good.

[H]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah. What else do we try?

[F]

Jaffa Cakes. Jaffa Cakes. Those are good ones.

[C]

Or the custard creams.

[H]

Custard creams.

[F]

Delicious. Golden Oreos. Is that the one?

[C]

So what was everyone's favorite here?

[H]

Oh, I really like the tiramisu bon bon. I'm a big tiramisu girl.

[E]

The cinnamon roll was amazing.

[H]

Yeah, it's.

[F]

I don't know.

[E]

And the strawberries and cream.

[H]

I think every. I mean, everything was really good.

[F]

I don't know if I can choose, but I think I'm going to go with the matcha in the pan.

[I]

I knew it.

[F]

Yeah.

[C]

I think I would go with the bon bon. That was amazing.

[H]

Yeah, that was so good.

[C]

Like, super different. Not something I'm.

[E]

I'm used to.

[I]

So bon bon is the winner, I think.

[H]

Bon bon, what's your favorite?

[I]

My one is a cinnamon roll.

[C]

Yeah.

[H]

Oh, yeah, you said that.

[C]

That one's a close second for me.

[F]

Well, if anyone hasn't tried this, you have to go try it. Yeah, it's delicious.

[H]

Yeah.

[C]

I'm going to finish it after getting a sugar spike. Seems like everyone's already eating it for breakfast.

[H]

Yeah, everyone's already tried it.

[C]

All right. I think you said you were going on or you are on holiday. You're going.

[I]

Actually, I'm on holidays from today, so

[C]

we apologize for making him come in

[I]

and work here for this occasion. So, yes, I'm going for holidays. I'm going to Spain, so I'll be definitely trying some local Food. I'll do some research before and definitely we'll try some local, local things to understand more cuisine, more flavors and everything. But definitely seafood is on and paella is on. On a list. Yeah.

[C]

Hopefully you can come up with some good ideas and bring them back here. I guess.

[I]

Hopefully.

[C]

Yeah. Well, since we're still talking about food, what are some of. I think this is a popular question. We got post match meals. What does everyone go to, Jenny?

[H]

Oh, well, I'm known as picky and bland. So I mean, usually I'll have just chicken and rice post match. But if I were to choose something a little bit more adventurous, I'm a huge steak girl, so I'd go for like a bone in rib eye.

[F]

Wow.

[H]

Yeah, I know.

[E]

I'm boring. Chicken and rice. It's the pre and post match meal. And then I after a tournament, I can't look at it for like two weeks and then we're back to chicken and rice.

[F]

I'm pretty adventurous, as everyone here knows.

[E]

Crazy.

[F]

Yeah.

[I]

Chicken and rice.

[F]

No, no, no.

[C]

That would be like eating this.

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

I will go out. Sure. And try different things. I'll be crashing in the middle of the first set though. If I had all this. But I will mix it up. Sometimes I do get superstitious and we'll eat the same things depending on how I am, how I'm doing in the tournament. Like for example, I had chipotle like 14 days in a row, so I couldn't look at chipotle after that. But yeah, I'm pretty adventurous.

[C]

But why don't you just tell a little bit about what you ate pre match.

[F]

You're going to put me on the spot. Okay.

[E]

Yes.

[C]

Pre match. This is a thing does likes to get very creative with pre match. Like we've said, it's pretty bland for us. Right. Like protein rice.

[F]

I'm having protein and rice.

[C]

So the turn of sushi form we were just at a couple weeks ago had like this nice little VIP area where you could. There's, you know, different chefs making different things. But it's much. It's like this, it's like creative, like high end. Different stuff than the players lounge, which is really basic. So just tell everyone what you had. I had an hour before your match. Okay.

[F]

I had beef carpaccio. Very good. I had this, some sort of creamy pasta. I guess a little too heavy for

[H]

you guys, maybe like carbonara.

[F]

Yeah, it was really good.

[C]

Tony.

[F]

I had some sushi, had some rice in there, you know. Yeah. I was moving like a cat on the court. I mean, it was fine after, but

[E]

yeah, she sent us this picture. She was like, oh, the food's amazing. And all of us zoomed in on the food, and immediately we're like, are you insane?

[H]

Like, aren't you playing in an hour?

[F]

Yeah, I like to take risks here, so it was really delicious.

[C]

Okay, what about post match celebratory dinner? Maybe Maddie can answer this because she just won yesterday. But from the group, who is making the reservation or the plans, who's open to sharing what kind of dish? Like, what's. Matt, you can start. Maddie, what did you do yesterday? I know it wasn't that adventurous, but

[E]

mine was Thai takeaway. I was very excited about it, but it was delicious. I love making. I love making reservations and, like, picking the restaurant and researching and looking at the menu and knowing what we're gonna order before we get there. And then I like to try everything. So I'm a big sharer fan. Like, I would like to try all of these things. So everyone should just take a few bites. But, yeah, the Thai food yesterday was the perfect post win meal.

[H]

You guys are all looking at me because I think I'm the complete opposite. I like to research and look up everything, but then I get overwhelmed, and I never actually end up trying everything. Usually I'll just order for myself. I'm not a huge sharer. If somebody orders something and, you know, says to share for the table, great, I'll, you know, dive in. But I'm not ordering for the table because I don't know if everyone's gonna like what I order. Which apparently if I order the salad, nobody else is going to partake in it. So usually when I order, it's usually just for myself. So, yeah, we're a little bit opposite there.

[C]

I think. You're. You're a planner.

[F]

Yeah, I'm a planner. I like to plan, but I feel like I would order. Oh, I'm kind of like you, Jenny. I don't know if I would order for everyone because, you know, people are

[H]

picky, but it's a big responsibility.

[F]

Yeah, I don't want to be held liable for that, you know, But I guess it's more food for me if I like it. So it depends.

[C]

So what about you? Since you're. I mean, you're a chef? What is when you go out to dinner, is it.

[I]

So usually when I'm going for a dinner, I usually. I end up with the plate. Why I. Which I didn't order because my partner, she usually takes what I order, and I end up with something what I don't like.

[J]

Okay.

[I]

Because usually I'm ordering something better. And she's like, ah, you have better than me. Let's swap. I mean, me, I like sharing plates, but I don't like to share. I like them for myself.

[H]

Yeah, me too. Me too. Yeah.

[I]

So I prefer one big than small ones.

[H]

Yeah.

[F]

I think if I'm going to a restaurant that, like, I'll order one thing that I know is safe, but if someone's been there before and they're like, you have to try all these things, it's better to go with the group, because then you're like, okay, I can try these things. More of these things. But, yeah, I don't.

[C]

I think I don't mind actually ordering for the table, but I'm not. I don't think I'm one to. I would say out of us, probably Maddie and DEZ would do the reservation planning.

[F]

You guys would just.

[C]

Jenny would research the entire menu, but, like, might not show up. She might.

[F]

Might not make it.

[C]

And then, like, if we got there, she'd be like, oh, you guys just order whatever you want. Like, I don't want it. Like she said, you don't want to be really responsible. Yeah, I think I'd be okay with it, but I probably, with the flow, make the plans. Yeah, I'll just do whatever they want to do.

[H]

I'm definitely not making the plans.

[C]

Well, thank you, chef. Thank you for joining us today and saving us a seat at the World of Hyatt table. Trying all these amazing desserts. We really appreciate it. I think everyone should. If you've already had it, go eat it again. But, yeah, try some of these other amazing desserts. And if you want more moments like this, you can find them through World of Hyatt. It's free to sign [e-mail] join or download the World of Hyatt app. Definitely one of the better perks of being on tour.

[E]

Thank you.

[I]

Thank you for having me here. Good luck.

[C]

Thank you.

[F]

So we are obviously well into the transition to grass season, but what are the. Some of the differences of playing on grass? Like, what do you guys think? And I guess the best players to be playing on grass that are more dangerous.

[E]

I mean, obviously, the ball doesn't bounce nearly as high is, I think, the major one. So I think it changes styles that do well on the surface. I think, obviously, on clay, especially how warm it was in Paris for the first week, it was super bouncy and lively. So people who have A lot of topspin. Typically like to play on those courts versus on the grass. The surface isn't going to give you the same for those sorts of balls, so it becomes way more about slicing and trying to get to the net and the ball is kind of going to skid through the court a little bit more. So someone like Jess is super happy on grass because she hits 3cm above the ground all of the time. But I think it's more so it's the people who are typically like the flatter, flatter players or someone who is really good with their hands and mixing up paces.

[C]

A lot of slice.

[E]

Lots of slice.

[C]

Yeah. You got to experience yesterday.

[E]

Yes.

[H]

Which you handled well, I think, like, for.

[F]

Well, me specifically for doubles. I like it because as a lefty, we get to really use that lefty serve. And sometimes these volleys, like, you don't need to go hitting through the court. You can kind of just hit like a short ball and it. Ball doesn't bounce like Maddie said. So it's kind of like an advantage. Um, I actually really like the grass and Jess, I mean, I hit a very flat ball just like Jess, so. Love it.

[C]

Yeah, I like the grass. Um, I think over the years it's gotten a little bit slower than when I first remember playing when I was much younger. Um, it was, I thought, much faster. I think it's changed a bit where it almost kind of plays a bit like a hardcore, but just like kind of that lower bounce like Maddie and Des were saying. I agree. Being a lefty on grass, like, it doesn't really matter how you play. Being a lefty on grass is an advantage. Something about the way the serve and the spin, just like it takes the way that they play, makes it really tricky on grass. So. Yeah, and it's. It can always play different. Like, I don't know, it. It depends on the conditions a lot too. This week it was super hot. So practicing when it was super hot, it felt, I don't know, like much quick, faster practice courts. Yeah. And then over the last couple days, it definitely feels like it's kind of gotten slower again. So the weather has a lot to do with it. And then I think the trickiest part, at least for me, is probably the movement and then just getting used to, like, the awkward shots because like they said, it just kind of dies sometimes and the ball doesn't really come to you, so you're kind of just like hitting weird slices and drop shots. And sometimes like, the uglier the shot, the better on grass. It Kind of takes it. So just getting used to those kind of awkward in between shots when you're trying to transition or come to the net or whatever it is.

[H]

Yeah. I mean, I think you guys pretty much answered. I was going to say, I think the trickiest part is probably the movement, especially coming from clay to grass. You know, on clay, you're doing. You're sliding and. And then grass, you're taking a little bit shorter, choppy steps. Unless you're Carlos Alcaraz, who still slides on. On grass. But I think also as the tournament goes on, as the grass starts to, like, get chewed up, I think the faster the court starts to play, you know, in the first couple rounds, you know, the grass is a little bit newer, it's a little bit higher, so I think it's a little bit slower. And then, you know, the surface kind of shifts and changes, you know, during the tournament, which is also something that's a little bit unique.

[C]

Yeah.

[F]

What are. What are some players that have a game that translates well, though? Like, any. Can you guys think of any?

[H]

I mean, all three of you.

[C]

Jenny doesn't like the grass that much.

[H]

Yeah, I don't know. I haven't. Yeah. My forehand just kind of sits up and. Yeah.

[F]

I mean, someone like Tatiana Maria, like you said, the slices are so hard to handle.

[C]

Anyone that slices a lot makes you very uncomfortable.

[E]

Laura Siegmund had a run last year.

[H]

Yeah. A lot of Yemen ons.

[C]

Yeah. Slice, drop shot.

[F]

Someone that's coming in a lot.

[C]

Yeah, yeah. That doesn't give you a lot of rhythm is always really tricky. And then obviously, good servers, I think. Yeah, Always. Always helps.

[F]

Yeah. Okay. Favorite part of Wimbledon.

[E]

The flowers.

[H]

Yes, agree.

[E]

The ground, the grounds are amazing. Just. I also. I always love, like, walking around today where there's not a whole lot of people and you actually really get to walk around the grounds because as players, obviously once the tournament starts, it's just too busy. So being able to walk around and actually experience the grounds and get to see. See, it is always one of my favorite parts of Wimbledon.

[F]

Yeah, the flowers are. I mean, like you said, the landscape's amazing. Just everything itself, it's just. It's Wimbledon. I don't know. It's just such a beautiful tournament. They do such a great job. I actually like. My favorite part is when you look on the deck, there's a player deck that overlooks all the courts. And when it's just busy, it's just a really cool vibe to see everyone enjoying it, their outfits, and everyone looks so good.

[C]

So, yeah, I would say the same. It's just the tradition of it and just. It's very Wimbledon, like you said. It's just lots of green, lots of flowers. Everything is very pretty. It's beautiful. The grounds are amazing. That is cool. When you get to look over, I think, what is it, Court three now or.

[F]

Yeah, quarter three.

[C]

And you'll see matches going on, and so all the players kind of huddle to that side of the. The balcony to get a chair to cut, because you can watch the matches, which is really cool. And just not just that match, but you can see all the courts and it's really, really a different vibe.

[H]

Yeah. I mean, obviously, the history, the tradition, it's so proper. Everyone, you know, playing on the grass courts with all white is obviously something that, you know, it's the only tournament that does that. So I think it's very unique and a really, you know, spectacular place to. To be and to be able to compete at.

[E]

I also always love playing on some of the outside courts and you just hear the champagne corks popping everywhere. You have the occasional cork pop onto the court. I've always loved that. Pour me one, please.

[C]

Thanks.

[E]

Okay, so we're going to move on to some Wimbledon traditions, and we want to see if they are proper or problematic. The first one, Pimms. I'm always really jealous when you're watching people walk around with pictures of Pimms as you're playing. You're like a breakdown in the third, and you're like, man, I could use some of that.

[F]

Or it's just hot out. You're like, oh, 4v1, please. I don't know if that's a problem.

[E]

No, it's great. Oh, it's great.

[C]

I love it.

[H]

I think it's a little problematic if you've had too many.

[C]

Yes. Yeah, that I agree with.

[F]

I need to get some water for that one. Have you tried Pims?

[H]

I have. It's not my favorite.

[E]

Really?

[H]

I'm full honesty up here. No. Yeah, I don't. I don't know. But I'm not a huge drinker. Drinker. I don't know how you put it. I like Pims. I'm very particular.

[F]

Tastes like iced tea.

[H]

Yeah, exactly. And I don't like.

[G]

I see.

[H]

It tastes like, like. Like Sprite.

[C]

Oh, I haven't heard.

[H]

No, no, no.

[F]

Does anyone here like Pims? Oh, she's got one in her hand.

[H]

Everyone here likes Pims.

[E]

Perfect.

[H]

It's my favorite, too.

[E]

Okay. Wearing all white. Proper or problematic?

[C]

I mean, it's very proper, but again, it can be problematic.

[E]

I one time had my socks had a black. Like, the very, very top of it had one little stripe of black. And they made me put white socks, like, over them. They were these really thin white socks because they said I had too much color. And I was like, but they're under my shoe, and they're like, well, if we can, we might be able to see it. So I had to play. And they pretty much have, like, backups of things because inevitably, someone will have something that's too much color, or it's like you're out there with, like, a white marker trying to mark out visor.

[F]

Sometimes they'll have visors where they have no logos, whereas some visors might have, like, two logos, and they might make you sharpie it out. So you could.

[C]

I think. Do you still go to. You can go to the referee's office. Right. And, like, make sure your outfit's okay. Because it's very strict.

[E]

Yes.

[C]

Yes. Very, very.

[F]

But now they allow colors, garments underneath. Thank God. Sometimes.

[E]

Because, you know, bras, shorts. Shorts. Just shorts now.

[C]

Or skirt or a dress. You can wear, like, the colored spandex. Yes. Underneath. Which they used to do, and then they stopped, and then they brought it back, I believe.

[E]

Yeah. I feel like we've changed. It's supposed to be, like, 90% white or something. And, yeah, it feels like the 10% is a moving scale sometimes. The queue. I saw the other day that people were already lined up. Two days before the sales even started, People were already queuing. I think it's problematic.

[F]

That's problematic.

[H]

That's problematic.

[F]

I mean, honestly, respect it that people are waiting out there for. I mean, what days?

[H]

Nothing would get me to camp out and wait days.

[E]

Yeah. What's the. What's the longest. What's the longest you've ever waited in line for something?

[H]

Probably like an hour. For a dinner reservation, like, 30 minutes. I don't.

[E]

So you're not gonna line up for two. Two days to see anyone play?

[H]

No, sorry. I love you guys, but not that much.

[F]

Oh, I've waited in line. Yeah.

[C]

Des definitely has.

[H]

Yeah.

[F]

I mean, I love Disneyland, so I will wait in line for a ride. Maybe over an hour. So would you queue for. You mean for Wimbledon?

[E]

Yeah.

[F]

Yeah, if I love tennis and if I. If I was with friends, have some PIMs, you know, make a little camp glamping. I don't know why not?

[E]

You're gonna. You would bring everything?

[F]

I'd bring everything. I would have the Hermione Granger bag with everything I need, you know, a fan. Everything. I'd have everything.

[C]

I actually don't doubt that, to be honest.

[E]

Okay. Protecting the grass. Players are not allowed to practice on center court. I believe even still this year, they've opened court one for practice, but that's new. As of last year, I believe.

[C]

I think last year. Yeah.

[E]

I feel like it's. I feel like it's a little bit like the rule where, like, growing up, I had a room in my house where I wasn't allowed to go into. Like, you know, when you're a kid and your parents are like, this room is off limits because it's where all the white furniture is. I feel like that's kind of the rule of not being on center court.

[F]

But then it gets all slippery.

[C]

No, it definitely will play different because no one's hit on it. So if you're. I guess it'd be. I mean, I guess it's the same scenario if you're playing somebody. Like, you both haven't hit on it. So it's not that big of a deal, but it definitely will play different. I was able to hit on court one with sabalenka the other day, and they had the roof closed, and it was the first hit. Like, not anybody had set foot on it. And it was, like, pristine. Like, looked unbelievable. Like, you almost felt bad practicing on it. It was crazy. So, I mean. Yeah, I think you have to kind of protect it, so I think it's proper. It looks so pretty when no one hits on it.

[E]

There is something about being the first hit on a perfectly perfect, fresh lines grass court.

[C]

Yeah, it's special.

[E]

Okay. Crowds are expected to stay almost completely silent during points. Proper or problematic?

[C]

I honestly don't care when people make noise. It doesn't bother me.

[F]

As long as you're not, like, heckling me. I mean, it's fine.

[H]

I don't know. It might fire you up, Des.

[F]

Actually, that's true. If it. Yeah.

[E]

That.

[F]

It could be good.

[E]

I feel like if there was constant noise, I would be fine. But when it's dead silent and then you hear sound, it's more of the problem. So I feel like I would either need it to stay the way that it is or have more sound, like a buzzing sound.

[H]

That's like, how I feel when I'm sleeping.

[C]

You want white noise?

[I]

Yeah.

[E]

Could you imagine another sport where we have the kind of. Especially, I feel like at Wimbledon, it's, like, extra silent.

[H]

Very.

[E]

Imagine watching, like, an NBA game and just have dead silence.

[C]

It'd be so weird.

[H]

It would be bizarre.

[F]

Yeah. No, I mean, I think.

[E]

Or like an NHL game and just silence.

[F]

Just the puck and the skates.

[E]

That's it.

[C]

I think golf is probably the only one where they obviously have similar. Everyone be silent.

[F]

Yeah.

[E]

Okay. The royal box. Have you been in there? And who would you invite to your royal box? Jenny, you can go first.

[C]

Okay.

[H]

No.

[E]

Been into the royal box?

[H]

No, surprisingly, I have not been in the royal box yet. I'm still waiting for my invite. Maybe this year is the year. And for those of you, I think maybe it was two of you that didn't raise your hand when we asked if you listened to the podcast. So for the two of you in the crowd that don't listen, I'm a huge Josh Allen fan, and he plays for the Buffalo Bills, which is a NFL team, and she's obsessed with him.

[E]

Yeah,

[H]

I wouldn't say the word obsessed, but, yeah, if there's a word above obsessed, I think I'm there. So in my royal box, I would have Josh Allen, his wife, Hayley Steinfeld, and their baby, Harper Hayes. So the whole Josh Allen family little clan is more than welcome in my royal box.

[E]

I've also not been in the royal box. I've also never actually been on center court, but maybe one day we'll see. And if I was, I would invite Haley Williams. She is the lead singer of Paramore. I'm deeply obsessed. And then I would have Beyonce, because Beyonce. And then Noah Khan. Big Noah Khan fan.

[F]

Okay.

[E]

Yes, Does.

[F]

Well, I have not sat in the royal box, but I've sat behind it for one of the finals, which was really cool. That was. And I got to meet Tom Cruise. That was awesome. My three people I would bring. I mean, it was. I was, like, starstruck.

[C]

I haven't even been in center court.

[F]

Oh, like Final Eight, baby. I would have Kelsey Ballerini, Olivia Dean, and Jonathan Bailey. Love them all. Yes.

[C]

I like a girl that's just laughing. Yeah.

[H]

Jonathan Bailey fan.

[F]

We have a fan over here, Jonathan Bailey fan.

[E]

Oh, yeah. All right.

[C]

Well, I think I've never been to the Royal Box. That would be amazing. But, no, definitely haven't been. I'm going to go with a very millennial answer, the three Jonas Brothers, because I'm. I'm a big fan.

[F]

I love that one.

[C]

Yeah, I'm a big fan. They're so nice. They love tennis. I'm pretty sure they've been. Actually. I've definitely seen them, like, towards the end of the tournament. I've met them before, actually, several times. And they're like the nicest humans. And yeah, I think one of them came to watch me at the US Open final one year. So I would love for them to. Yeah. To be in my box to hang out.

[B]

I'm a big fan.

[H]

He just had.

[C]

We.

[H]

We just went to their concert in November.

[C]

Yeah.

[H]

Yeah.

[C]

They're so. They're so nice. It was great.

[I]

Yeah.

[C]

So good. And. Yeah.

[H]

Okay.

[E]

We've been in Europe for a while now and it's been hot. It really makes me miss AC being cold at night in my Quince bedding because it's always light, breathable and genuinely comfortable.

[G]

It's luxury without the markup, so it's the perfect balance where everything feels elevated but still effortless.

[F]

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[C]

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[G]

Everything at quince is priced 50 to 80% less than similar brands. They work directly with ethical factories and cut out the middleman. So you're paying for quality, not brand markup.

[E]

Everyone knows I love my sleep. I have the European linen duvet and it really has elevated the quality sleep. I get it makes being on the road even harder.

[F]

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[H]

It's the Priceline negotiator.

[A]

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[J]

They say you can tell a lot about a person by the Contents of their freezer. So what does a bottle of Jagermeister say? It says you have standards. You don't cut corners. And you like your Jagermeister shots the way they're meant to be enjoyed. Ice cold. As for the frozen taquitos and mystery leftovers, we'll keep that between us. Drink it cold or don't drink it at all. Jagermeister. Damn, that's cold. Drink responsibly. Jagermeister Liquor, 35% alcohol by volume. Imported by Mast. Jagermeister U.S. white Plains, New York.

[E]

So all of the ball kids have to go through months of training before they're selected proper or problematic. Have you ever actually noticed if a ball kit is bad?

[C]

Yes.

[F]

Yes.

[C]

But you're not gonna break upset about it. It's just, you can tell like, they're nervous or maybe like, you know, some tournaments you play, they don't train them at all. So you notice that. But I guess. Are you asking here? Here I've never noticed one being.

[E]

No. Here they have some proper standards.

[H]

Yeah.

[E]

Yeah. I would say that. The only time I really notice is if you're standing there trying to ask for a ball and they don't know what's going on, and they're just like, staring off somewhere else, and then it's like, you don't want to be rude, but you're kind of like, hey, how you doing? Yeah, DEZ was a ball kid.

[I]

Whoa.

[E]

Were you a. Were you a good ball kid?

[F]

Oh, it's a loaded question. I. I feel like I was very.

[J]

Woo.

[H]

Bird watching.

[F]

Yes. I. I actually thought I was a good ball kid. I mean, I started. I was 10 years old, and I did it for maybe five, six years at Indian Wells Tennis Gardens. I don't know if anyone's been to bmp. Yes. Okay. Great tournament.

[C]

Did you go through some good training? They're pretty good.

[F]

I will say. Yes. It was pretty lenient. But I was. Think I was pretty cocky, I thought, because I was like, I know how to play tennis. I don't need to know how to roll a ball. But when you're on center court and you throw a ball up in the air and Roger Federer is looking at you like, it's not. Probably not the best to. You're supposed to roll it, not throw it up, but. And also, hitting Andy Roddick with a flag wasn't my best showing. But I loved being a ball kid. It was great. Probably not as strict as Wimbledon, though.

[E]

Okay. Middle Sunday. It used to be a big thing that middle Sunday. Nothing was played in then they had manic Monday, but now we play on Sunday. Proper or problematic

[C]

proper.

[H]

So Monday is not problematic.

[E]

I miss middle Sunday.

[F]

It was nice when you get to walk the rounds on Sundays.

[H]

Yeah.

[F]

Just knew you were in the second week and it was just.

[C]

Yeah, I kind of miss it.

[E]

I love middle Sunday.

[F]

And then all the dogs, the bomb squad dogs get to come out and you get to hang out with them. That was the cool part. I love dogs. So. Yeah, you roam around.

[C]

So problematic, I guess.

[E]

Yeah, I kind of miss.

[C]

It's not a middle anymore.

[E]

Yeah, I miss it. Strawberries and cream. Overrated or perfectly rated, Chef?

[H]

Oies were perfectly rated.

[F]

Those were great.

[E]

Those were delicious.

[C]

I think they're perfectly rated. I enjoy it.

[E]

They're great.

[C]

I think it's really. The strawberries are so. I think that's.

[F]

I don't know what they do with this.

[H]

So fresh.

[C]

The cream is, like, great, whatever, but just strawberries are strawberries served. The big bowl.

[E]

And they say that they go through and they make sure that each strawberry is pristine.

[C]

Perfectly picked. It looks like it. They look perfect. Like they put a giant bowl in the one locker room for us. I mean, in two seconds, it's like this massive bowl. Just perfect strawberries. It's amazing.

[E]

I think they said that there's around 2 million strawberries during the tournament.

[F]

Oh, my gosh. Where's this field at? Gosh. What?

[E]

They have their own strawberry field?

[H]

Okay. We played this game that is called who am I? So we come up with three clues and ourselves like to. Or we try to guess who the person is, and it's called who am I? So my three clues from last week were I was the first player to reach the fourth round of Australian Open as a lucky loser. I was born in Ukraine, but represent Germany. And my Instagram profile picture is a disco ball.

[E]

So.

[H]

So would anybody like to guess?

[E]

Does anyone have any idea where Jenny was going with those?

[H]

Probably not. Okay, so the person I chose was Eva Lies. She plays for Germany. Obviously, I said that in the close.

[F]

Disco ball.

[C]

Yeah, we just did a snack call with her where we tried different German candies.

[H]

So, yeah, so she was relevant.

[C]

Yeah.

[H]

Not that she's irrelevant.

[C]

It was in Jenny's head. That's who she was gonna pick.

[H]

Yeah. Usually the person that I choose is someone. Okay, never mind. Don't give our away. Maddie, would you like to give your three clues on who am I? For this week?

[E]

So my three clues this week are this person is TikTok famous, named after a football legend. Soccer for our American listeners and known for twerking.

[F]

Anyone here? No twerking.

[E]

And I was afraid these would be too easy.

[C]

Wow.

[F]

Can you repeat that?

[E]

Tick Tock Famous.

[C]

Tick Tock Famous isn't.

[E]

Just think about one of the singular players you've ever seen twerking on Tick Tock.

[H]

I've never seen anyone.

[E]

And you'll get it right.

[F]

I'm not gonna say it out loud.

[E]

You can't say it out loud.

[F]

We'll let. You guys can comment in our.

[C]

Yeah, you guys can comment on YouTube and subscribe.

[H]

Don't forget and give five stars.

[C]

But we'll.

[D]

We'll.

[C]

Yeah, we'll reveal it in the next episode. So you guys can check in if you're really itching to know who we're talking or who Maddie's talking about. I need to think about that for a bit.

[E]

I feel like when it comes to you, you'll be like, obviously.

[C]

Okay, okay.

[H]

Okay. Moving on to our next segment. Fan questions. First question from Dawn. What is one rule or tradition in tennis that you would change if you could?

[E]

Oh, geez, nothing. I'm like, the most tennis traditionalist ever. Like, I hate the talk of playing Lutz. I'm like, yeah, I don't know. I don't want to do that.

[H]

Yeah.

[F]

Doing college right now.

[E]

Yeah. Yeah. No, thank you. They do it in juniors, so if I'm practicing with juniors and stuff and I don't let they all start running to the ball and I'm like, no,

[H]

no, we don't do that here, take another serve.

[F]

Yeah, I don't know if I would change any thing.

[E]

Oh, no, that's a lie. I would ban five sets.

[F]

Yeah.

[E]

Especially if you follow them exactly. I have followed way too many five set matches.

[C]

That is actually a good one. Maybe only if you follow. You can play whenever, but when.

[E]

If I'm after you, it's a yes.

[C]

Yeah, that's a good one.

[H]

An older man where I practice tennis is constantly trying to give me advice. How do I tell him to stop?

[B]

Oh,

[C]

that's such a thing, though. I feel it is in tennis. It's.

[H]

I've had that.

[C]

What did you say?

[H]

I said I've had that.

[F]

I think they're trying to be nice. Like in. I don't know. I've definitely had this happen before. Like, they just try to be nice and just like, you gotta. You give you tips. But it's like, really? I don't know.

[E]

I mean, it still happens. It's like. I was gonna say Instagram, DMS and They're like, I'm a really good tennis coach. If you want me to help you,

[F]

call me slide in the DMs.

[E]

You're like. I think you just say, stranger danger.

[C]

Yeah.

[F]

Red flag on the play.

[H]

Just politely tell them you're not interested in getting better.

[C]

Jenny, if this has happened to you, what do you.

[H]

I'm not interested in getting better. I want to stay the same. Thank you. Have a nice day.

[C]

What have you actually said? If you. Because this for sure has happened to you, what do you say?

[H]

I just nod.

[E]

No, she listens for sure.

[H]

I listen and I let it go on for way too long. Yeah, I just listen. And then if I see them again, I go.

[E]

The.

[H]

Instead of walking this way, I'll walk the whole way around the place to avoid.

[C]

Maybe find a new place to play

[E]

tennis or get a little red flag and just wave it every time. Stop.

[H]

Stop. From Jack. What is something you sacrificed for tennis that is never talked about.

[C]

O. O. I don't think you. You don't celebrate, like, any holidays or birthday parties or school events. If you even go to school, like a real school prom. You don't go to a prom or

[F]

a. Oh, I went to prom.

[H]

Yeah. Whoever said it's overrated in the crowd, I agree. Even though I know you just miss

[C]

all those types of events.

[E]

And I think it's. The other thing is just when your friends will say, like, oh, well, we're planning on doing this on this day. Like, you should come. And it's like, I have no idea where I'm going to be.

[F]

Friendships. Sacrificing friendship sometimes, too.

[H]

Yeah.

[E]

Yeah. I think that's probably the hardest thing is actually keeping in touch kind of face to face with a lot of your friends and family just because you genuinely have no idea where you'll. Where you'll be or. A lot of times, like, one of my friends and I were trying to book some sort of holiday, and I was like, okay, well, I could be done either October 12th or November 15th. Could you take off all of work during that time? And then whenever I'm done, then we can go.

[C]

So true.

[E]

So I think that's probably the hardest part.

[F]

Yeah.

[H]

From PSR9677. It's a username, not someone's name. Okay. Any advice on playing Net when you're scared of it? Oh, dez.

[F]

Yes.

[H]

As a double.

[F]

What do you mean? I saw. I was watching Maddie's matches.

[E]

I came to the net yesterday.

[F]

Into the net.

[H]

So I was thinking more for doubles because.

[F]

Yeah.

[H]

Standing up at net.

[F]

I mean, I think you just have to put yourself in uncomfortable positions to make you feel comfortable. So whether that's doing so many reps at the net, sometimes I do drills where my arms are literally over the net and then I'm just hitting volleys. So that way you're getting used to it and then you kind of take a step back. I mean, I think you can just like anything, you just have to be uncomfortable and then it'll start getting better.

[C]

A lot of reps. Yeah. A lot of your coach just firing balls.

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

And do it in practice where you know you are allowed to miss and it's okay to miss even in matches like you can, you'll be more comfortable in matches to do it.

[C]

Yeah. I think it's just, you gotta spend more time up there and then you get more comfortable.

[J]

Yeah.

[E]

And I think also it's like inevitably if you're up at the net at some point you're probably gonna get hit and it seems scary but. Or you won't. But it's like once you actually get hit, you're like, oh, that was actually fine.

[F]

Not bad.

[E]

Like it's, it's not a big deal. Like I'm, it's nothing to be afraid of.

[D]

Yep.

[H]

Or you could just come up to the net twice for the coin, for

[E]

the toss and the handshake.

[H]

Well, thanks everyone for the fan questions. 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 send us fan questions or low stakes advice to our email at the playersbox, podmail.com or DM us on Instagram. You can also sign up for Patreon for ad. Free listening every week and even more behind the scenes of the group chat. Especially our group chat. Text messages lately have been popping off and like DEZ said earlier, please make sure you check out our merchandise. You can find it in our Instagram bio link and also on our website. And thanks everyone here for coming in person and showing up. We love doing the live podcast. See you next week.

[B]

This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome, that's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50 page restoration block. Or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it. Ready to make anything online make sense. There's no place like Chrome. Check responses, setup required compatibility and availability. Various 18.