7 | WTA Finals, Fan Gifts & Recording Internationally

Summary

The Player's Box — Episode 7 | WTA Finals, Fan Gifts & Recording Internationally

Date: October 7, 2025
Hosts: Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, Jennifer Brady, Desirae Krawczyk

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a hilarious, candid glimpse behind the scenes as four top WTA players navigate life on tour—trains in China, Wi-Fi chaos, memorable fan gifts, career milestones, and their own unfiltered mishaps. The conversation flows from lighthearted “unforced errors” and Monfils’ retirement to a granular breakdown of the WTA Finals, behind-the-scenes travel stories, and fan Q&A. Expect playful banter, personal anecdotes, and the authentic camaraderie these players share on and off the court.

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1. Unforced Errors of the Week (00:34–06:22)

Each host shares their biggest “facepalm” moment from the week:

Madison Keys

• Injured herself repeatedly at home (elbow, pinky toe, running into walls).
  • “I have bruises all over. I just, I don’t know where my body is this week. So, we’re struggling.” (00:34)

Jessica Pegula

• Booked the wrong (longer) high-speed train in China, costing an extra $140 and a slightly savage customer service exchange:
  • “Now that’s the power of financial freedom!” (01:55)
  • “Did I just get roasted by like, travel guy, China customer chat?” (02:30)
• Fan called her “inspiring” for playing at 30—she’s actually 31.
• E-SIM expired right before recording, “total disaster.”

Jennifer Brady

• Accidentally ran over an iguana: “Rip, Iggy.” (03:30)
• Emailed medical documents using the wrong staff member’s name (confidently called her “Abby” instead of “Amanda”). (04:06)

Desirae Krawczyk

• Forgot her change of clothes: “I was, like, drenched and... just sloshing around.” (05:40)

Winner: Jenny Brady, for the (unfortunate) iguana incident.

• “Iggy doesn’t get to see another day.” (06:45)

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2. Monfils Retirement & Talk of Last Hurrahs (07:15–11:34)

The group discusses Gaël Monfils’ announced retirement at the end of next season:

• “He’s gonna put on a show every match he plays.” — Jessica Pegula (10:50)
• “Would you want people to know... that every single match at every tournament is your last?” — Madison Keys (09:53)
• Keys and Pegula agree they’d prefer a quieter retirement—maybe just “forgetting to announce it.”
• Admiration for Monfils’ energy and theatrical approach.

They briefly debate whether any of them would make a comeback after having children.

• Pegula: “There is no chance I would come back after having a kid. I admire and respect the ones that do, but that’s not in the cards for me.” (11:53)
• Keys: “I have a hard enough time traveling and keeping myself on a schedule... for all people involved, I just feel like it would be really, really hard.” (12:11)

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3. Recording Woes & Wi-Fi Woes (13:38–16:16)

• Chronic Wi-Fi struggles while recording in China; hosts occasionally dropping from the Zoom.
• Playful chaos and self-deprecating humor.
  • “This episode is an absolute disaster.” — Pegula (14:45)
  • “She’s trying to erect—wait, no, I mean connect.” — Keys (15:04)
• Pegula jokes about host Desirae’s habit of typo-riddled texts.

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4. WTA Finals Breakdown (18:48–25:28)

Keys explains qualifying for the WTA Finals:

• Top 8 players of the year (“the Race”) qualify.
• New rule: If a Grand Slam winner is outside the top 8, she takes the eighth spot. (19:56)

Experience and significance

• “It’s an amazing achievement to show that you’ve been consistent throughout the whole year... To win finals, you’re beating the top 8 players in the world.” — Pegula (21:54)
• “It’s the only tournament you can lose a match and still win the event.” (22:03)
• Payment structure, round robin format, and the stress and pressure that comes with it.

Doubles perspective: Krawczyk and Brady discuss:

• The challenges of qualifying as a doubles team (must stick with one partner).
• The stress of deciding whether to switch partners mid-year.
• “It’s an added layer of stress singles players don’t have to deal with.” — Keys (24:28)

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5. Chinese Fan Culture & Gifts (25:43–32:37)

Pegula on fan engagement in China:

• “I have so many more fans this year... Tennis has grown so much in China just because of Qinwen winning the gold.” (27:18)
• “They make the most insane gifts for players and a ton of Players Box podcast gifts… keychains... like your iPhone screen with Players Box Pod...” (28:17)
• Fans assign animals to players (Pegula: capybara), hand out creative nicknames (Pegula: “Dafu,” meaning “rich woman”).
  • “I asked them for a more humble nickname, but I don’t think they…they’re just like, ‘No.’” — Pegula (29:16)
• Cultural translation quirks: “Dafu? Large, large woman.” (32:14)
• Story about a fan yelling “Howdy Ho” across the practice court, referencing a podcast meme.

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6. Travel Stories: China’s High-Speed Trains (32:44–38:13)

• Praise for comfort and efficiency, but only if you enter passport numbers correctly.
  • “If you miss one number, you don’t get the whole thing.” (36:56)
  • Stories of travel fiascos—wrong passport numbers, getting locked out, running late, and hauling bags for a half-mile through endless train cars.
  • “Once we got there, it was great... It’s the best.” (36:16)
• Pegula’s booking mistake (wrong train time) spawned the “financial freedom” customer service quip.

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7. Fan Q&A (38:23–54:11)

Q: Tips for tennis parents?

• “Just don’t be a tennis dad; stay out of it.” (38:45)
• “Just zipper your lips and clap your hands. Support.” (39:06)

Q: Desiree, why only doubles?

• Started after college. Singles was too tough/few wins, doubles clicked.
• “I was doing well in 15Ks, 25Ks, and 60s… winning every week’s really great.” (39:28)

Q: How’d you start tennis & what other sports would you want to play?
Jessica Pegula:

• Followed sister into juniors and college tennis. Would have played golf or softball. (40:58) Jennifer Brady:
• Dad started her (though no one else played tennis in family). Tomboy: loved kickball, maybe would have played rugby or football. (41:28) Madison Keys:
• Tennis “for the outfits” after seeing Venus Williams at Wimbledon. “I wanted a tennis dress… My mom was like, ‘You have to play the sport.’” (43:55)
• Would have been a cheerleader: “I had official pom poms and would stand down by them and do my whole routine.” (48:05) Desirae Krawczyk:
• Dad played the senior tour, put a racquet in her hand at 2. Did ballet as a kid but dad kept her away from contact sports. (49:18)

Dancing with the Stars Fandom

• Desirae is a huge fan—“gives us the weekly report” (49:38).
• Speculation she’d be the Player’s Box rep and talk of how intimidating dance routines appear—“I can’t even walk in heels.” — Brady (51:27)

Taylor Swift’s new album?

• Only Krawczyk is a superfan (“Swifty”); others appreciate some songs but are less devoted.
  • “There are some bangers, I’m not gonna deny that. But… I just… I’m not a Swifty.” — Pegula (55:36)
  • Favorite tracks: “Ruin the Friendship,” “Opalite,” “Wood,” “Elizabeth Taylor.” (54:34)

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8. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Did I just get roasted by China travel customer chat?” — Jessica Pegula (02:30)
• “Poor Iggy. Iggy doesn’t get to see another day.” — Jennifer Brady (06:45)
• “There’s no chance I would come back after having a kid.” — Pegula re: tennis moms (11:53)
• (To tennis parents): “Zipper your lips and clap your hands.” — Jennifer Brady (39:07)
• “I wanted a tennis dress… so I told my mom, I would like a tennis dress. Well, I didn’t know what tennis was.” — Madison Keys (43:55)
• “Don’t come at me in the comments, people.” — Brady, after laggy Zoom recording (14:36)
• “That’s the power of financial freedom!” — Chinese customer service agent, as quoted by Pegula (01:55)
• “I have a whole suitcase [of fan gifts].” — Pegula (30:23)

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9. Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:34 — Unforced Errors of the Week
• 07:00 — Monfils’ Retirement & Reflections on Retiring
• 13:38 — Technical & Wi-Fi Difficulties Abroad
• 18:48 — WTA Finals Breakdown (Qualifying, Structure, Stories)
• 25:43 — Chinese Fan Gifts and Culture
• 32:44 — High-Speed Train Mishaps & Travel in China
• 38:23 — Start of Fan Q&A
  • 38:45 — Tennis parent tips
  • 39:28 — Why Desiree chose doubles
  • 40:58 — How everyone got into tennis / alternate dream sports
  • 49:27 — Dancing With the Stars talk
  • 54:11 — Taylor Swift album opinions

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10. Tone & Takeaways

The episode is marked by playful, self-effacing humor, authenticity, and the real friendship between these elite athletes. The hosts swap horror stories and advice with spirit and vulnerability, don’t shy away from poking fun at themselves, and give the listener an all-access pass to both relatable blunders and unique life on the women’s tour.

If you want to understand the personalities of top WTA players—or need proof that traveling the world as an athlete is chaotic, hilarious, and a little bit messy—this is your episode.

Transcript

[A]

This is the Players Box.

[B]

Hi, everyone, and welcome to another episode of the Players Box. I'm Desiree Krafczyk alongside Jenny Brady, Madison Keys, and Jess Vagula. Please remember to give our podcast five stars and to subscribe to our YouTube page. We would very much appreciate it. All right, let's get into our unforced errors this week. Maddie, do you want to start us off?

[A]

So my unforced error of the week is I have somehow injured myself literally every single day. Started on, like, Monday. Smashed my elbow into my refrigerator. Was, like, on the ground crying. Tried to close our trash can, smash my pinky toe. Have run into every single wall in our house. I have bruises all over. Just, like, not. I don't know where my body is this week. So we're struggling.

[C]

Don't they say doesn't, like, your moon is in, like, Saturn or something super weird, like, the universe is off, so.

[A]

You'Re just Mercury is in retrograde or something? Yeah, I don't know.

[C]

I kind of have two. But first one, I would say definitely I booked the wrong train in China from Beijing to Wuhan. I booked the one that was like an hour and 36 minutes longer, so I had to rebook that one to the shorter one, which is only four hours. So it's kind of a whole thing because I had to do it the morning of kind of panicking. And actually, I didn't tell you guys this part, but it was really funny. I'm on WhatsApp customer service, and they're trying to change. Change it for me. And of course, I didn't get a full refund, so I had to pay an extra $140 to change it, which was just lovely. And I just was like, just go ahead and do it. Because they said if I wanted a no extra charge, I had to go to the desk at the train station, which we all know that wasn't going to happen because nobody speaks English. Would have been a disaster. And so she messages me back. And I said, just got the email. Thank you. And they said, thank for your. Thanks for your support. We thought the price difference was very high. Now that's the power of financial freedom with an exclamation point. And I was like, did I just get roasted by, like, what?

[A]

What?

[C]

And I was like, wait. And I. And I just, oh, my God. And I responded. I just said, gotta do what you gotta do.

[A]

Lol.

[C]

I was like. I thought I was talking to, like, like a robot or something. I didn't even know it was, like, real. And So I think I kind of like got low key roasted by like travel guy, China customer chat. The other one was also the A fan told me today that he was a fan of me because I'm 30, which I'm actually 31, so it's still insulting. And then my E SIM also expired today and I had to buy a new one literally like 30 minutes before this. This to make sure we could record. And it was a total disaster. So I'm winning the unforced errors today so far. But you are win and try. Go ahead and try to top me.

[D]

I kind of have two as well. So the other day when I was driving and iguana came out, ran out in front of me in the road, and I was, I put on my brakes a little bit and then I saw that the iguana started to scramble away. So I was like, oh, good. So I'm just gonna stay straight and he's gonna run away. Nope, as soon as I get like within a foot of him, he stops, looks at my tire, and. And then I just hit a little speed bump.

[A]

Oh, no.

[D]

So rip Iggy. And then my other one is. So I went to my endocrinologist and this was like two weeks ago. And I, a member of her staff I was sending documents to, so she gave me her email address and I sent her a bunch of documents, like, you know, past history and stuff like that. So I emailed it to her. And then a few days later I sent her another email following up. And I was like, hi, Abby, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And then I sent another follow up email with some other documents saying, hi, Abby, hope all is well, blah, blah, blah. And then I have my follow up in person on Friday. So three days ago, two days ago. And literally I get an email from her. And the name on the email is Amanda. It's not Abby, so I was calling her Abby instead of Amanda, so I was butchering her name. So if she's listening, I apologize for that. And I was so confident sending her the email, I was like, hi, Abby, comma hope all is well. And then I get an email from Amanda and I'm like, oh, well, that's tough. So, Desiree, do you have an unforsed error for the week?

[B]

I don't think mine's as exciting as your guys's, but as we've said in other episodes, I learned from my mistakes to not forget clothes. So I ended up doing that this morning. I had it all packed in my cube ready to go next to my tennis bag. Literally was rushing out. Didn't bring it with me. And it's completely humid here, and I was, like, drenched and like, you know when it's really humid and you're just sweaty and you're just kind of sloshing around? So I forgot my clothes and I had to take the car back to the hotel all sweaty and drenched, and it just was gross. So that was my unforced error. I don't know if it's going to top any of you guys's, but yeah.

[A]

All right.

[B]

Who won this week's unforced error? Poor Iggy.

[A]

I was going to say.

[D]

I know. Rip.

[C]

Oh.

[B]

I mean, Jess had three, so that's.

[D]

A lot in one day. That was a lot.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Just as Jess has had a brutal day. But, yeah. Iggy doesn't get any more days.

[D]

Iggy doesn't get this. Iggy doesn't get to see another day.

[A]

I think. I think Iggy. Iggy's gonna have to take the win for that one.

[C]

Yeah. I agree, considering he has no more days.

[B]

Oh, Jenny, congrats.

[D]

Oh, I don't know if I want to take the. Take the title for that one. I. You're on the board.

[B]

Unforced errors.

[C]

Yeah. Okay.

[D]

Well, speaking of last days, Gail, Mom Feast says he'll be retiring next year, so that'll be his last season.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

That was good. Yeah, it's kind of sad. Wait, what?

[C]

What just happened?

[D]

Someone told me to transition of her life.

[B]

Iggy Tip Monf.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[D]

We were talking about last days.

[C]

No.

[A]

So good. I was just shocked. Wow.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Monfi's retiring. It's gonna be sad, but it's, I guess, exciting for him. But he was so much fun to watch. And I think it'll be a nice, I guess, last hurrah for the next year. And I guess he'll get to pick whatever tournaments he wants and go out with a bang.

[D]

Hopefully he wins a slam.

[B]

That would be really cool.

[C]

That would be insane. Yeah.

[D]

That would be unbelievable. Yeah.

[A]

Pretty sick retirement, like, announcement, though.

[B]

The video was awesome.

[C]

Video was sick. Yeah.

[A]

It was like a movie. I was like, what's gonna happen?

[C]

No.

[B]

With all his closest friends.

[C]

Yeah, that was.

[B]

It was really cool.

[C]

Elena was even speaking French.

[D]

Which one of you?

[C]

In the. In the one.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Sorry. I'm everybody.

[B]

And then didn't he also say video?

[C]

I am lagging, so everyone's not talking over me. This is actually my fault.

[D]

Yeah. So for everyone that comes at me, everyone that comes at me in the comments section on YouTube or Spotify just to clarify, Jessica is lagging and we are allowing her to speak. She's just maybe like five.

[B]

You have the floor, Jessica. So, Jessica, give us your thoughts.

[D]

A little bit of grace and me.

[C]

Yes. So you guys need to call me out so that I can start speaking. And then everyone. Okay, It's. Yes. This is my fault. Yeah. I thought it was sick. I thought the video was cool. Alina talking French. It was. Yeah, Like a movie. It was awesome. I feel like he's going out. Like, I like the way that he's doing it. He's just going to have a whole year where he's just. Everyone's gonna be, I don't know, I guess, super excited, but sad to see him go. I feel like he'll get a lot of good courts. I like, you know, bigger courts and everything. I don't know, it seems cool.

[A]

Would you want. I guess my thing is, it's like, would you want people to know that, like, every single match at every tournament is your last match at that tournament, so it's like a thing for the whole year, or would you like. I think I personally will just be like, all of a sudden, just like, walk into a press conference and be like, so, guys, that was it. Bye.

[C]

I didn't even. I didn't even think you would tell anybody that much.

[A]

Yeah, no, It'd probably be like six months later and it'd be like, so as you saw, I haven't been playing.

[D]

You'd be like, so I actually retired. Well, people think that I forgot to.

[A]

Tell everyone that I retired, but here it is.

[D]

Well, people think that I've retired, so. Yeah. But I haven't.

[C]

News flash.

[D]

I haven't yet. I hopefully.

[A]

Come back to work.

[C]

Yeah. Come back. I. I don't know. I think with his personality, it fits. I think it just depends on the person. I think a whole year of knowing that would kind of stress me out. I'd maybe do like half a year or something, like the last half of the year if I did, like, an announcement. A full year is a lot, but I feel like that's so him, though. Like, he's gonna put on a show every match he plays. I'm sure he'll play like, a somewhat limited schedule.

[A]

I mean, it definitely fits him. And he'll have, like, the biggest. He'll have, like, the biggest show ever, every single tournament, which will be really fun to watch, I think. And I think fans are gonna be really pumped to just like, literally tune in and watch every single match that he plays.

[D]

I Was just gonna ask, would you. So for all the. The moms that have come back, like, would you be one of those? Would you. Would you come back after having kids or.

[C]

Nah.

[A]

Should we just let Jess start?

[C]

Oh, thank you. For anyone that's on audio, I was shaking my head no. There is no chance I would come back after having a kid. I admire and respect the ones that do, but that's not in the cards for me. I cannot see myself doing that at all.

[D]

Yeah, Yeah.

[A]

I don't. I don't see that happening. I also feel like I have a hard enough time traveling and, like, keeping myself on a schedule. I can't imagine adding a baby to.

[C]

That.

[A]

Like, for all people involved. I just feel like it would be really, really hard. And I'm so impressed at all of the moms on tour who do it. Especially, like, there's a few that have multiple children and everything, and it's just like, yeah, it's totally fine. Like, no problem. And I'm like, I can't function. Like, how are you managing? Playing, like, jet lag, training enough, all of the things. And then it's like, you're also a mom, like, all of the time. How do you do that?

[D]

Just being on a schedule for yourself, like, I couldn't even imagine taking care of another human being, let alone taking care of myself on the road.

[C]

You're, like, stressed out thinking about it.

[D]

It's a lot. It's a lot. Yeah, I know. Yeah.

[B]

I'm like.

[D]

Word vomiting.

[A]

I don't short. Short circuiting.

[D]

I'm short circuiting thinking about having a child and traveling 40 weeks a year. Oh, yeah.

[C]

You guys got to lead it, because if I keep cutting in, like, I'm just going to keep lagging also. Yeah. Where's Des? Desiree has not come back.

[D]

I know.

[C]

Our podcast.

[A]

Yeah, Desiree was doing so well. I was like, wow, her video looks great. Her audio is amazing. It's like. Just seems like she's having no trouble. And then she just dropped.

[D]

She texted us saying, but, yeah, I don't know if she's coming back. If she is, hopefully she'll be back before we're done, but if not, this.

[A]

Is the realities of WI fi across the world, guys.

[C]

Trying to. Trying.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Literally what, eight.

[C]

Trying to do this in China is.

[D]

Like 8,000 miles away. 8,000 miles. I'm waiting for. I'm. I'm waiting for Jess to go, and then Jess is waiting for me, and then I'm waiting for Jess, and it's.

[C]

Talking at the same Time.

[A]

Keep going at the exact same.

[D]

Same time. Yeah, I know. Don't come at me in the comments, people. Oh, we have her back. Desiree. She's back.

[C]

This episode is an absolute disaster.

[A]

Can anyone. Oh, I'm sorry. Can anyone please look at our group text? No, she's trying to erect. Wait, no, I mean connect.

[B]

Oh, no, we lost her.

[D]

Oh, my gosh. Oh, my God. What? I'm here. Like, how is that. How is that. How is that. How does that.

[A]

She's trying to erupt.

[B]

Oh.

[C]

Can you hear me?

[D]

I've literally. I made a promise to Desiree that I would not call her out for her typos. What was this, like, four months ago? And I haven't. So I'm gonna give myself a pat on the back for that, because every single text she sends is a typo. Every single one.

[A]

Every single one.

[D]

So I guess I just broke my. Not calling her out for typos.

[C]

Wait, she's coming to.

[D]

She said she's gonna come, so Maddie started to.

[C]

Everybody stop. She says she's gonna come to my room, which now will.

[A]

You two can just hit each other when you want to speak.

[D]

I guess we're back now. And Jess and Des are in the same room because we lost DEZ for a little bit. Do we.

[C]

We were talking about retirement and would you come back if you had a baby?

[B]

Oh, wow. I really missed a lot.

[C]

There's a lot of deep stuff.

[A]

Wow.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Really starting off, it's not that deep.

[D]

I don't.

[B]

I don't know. I don't know if I would. I feel like tennis is, like, my chapter, my one chapter, and then I think that's that chapter. And then I think if I have a kid, I would just kind of separate the two. I don't know. I mean, I really feel like I'd want to move on, but it is cool to see everyone. All the moms on tour who bring their kids and kind of just show them around. It's really. I'm sure it's really special for them and just to be around. And they may not remember it, but it's just a really cool memory for all of them. And I mean. Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

Props to all of them.

[C]

Yeah. It's hard coming back. Wow.

[B]

Yeah. Kudos to you guys.

[C]

Yeah. We were just talking about. He's like, I don't know how they have a schedule. Like, I can't even do a schedule for myself, let alone, like, a child. Yeah.

[B]

And, like, your sleep. Their sleep schedule. And, you know, who knows if they're staying in the same room with the child if it's disrupting, you know, your sleep and everything, but also shout out to their partners, you know, who come on tour, and they're out, you know, taking care of the child or children. And, you know, it's not easy, but I'm sure it makes the losses a little bit easier, you know, like, you come back and you're like, there's so much more to tennis than, you know, or so much more to tennis. You know, I have my child, and I guess there's more to it.

[C]

Changes your perspective, I would say.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And if you retire, how do you think you'd go out?

[B]

I think I'd want to. I don't know. I think I mentioned it, but I want to have my friends there and play the tournaments that I want to play, not the tournaments that you're mandated to play. I'd want to go to new tournaments that I haven't been to before and maybe new destinations. I think that'd be really cool to go to. Like, this year I did Singapore. I'd never been. It was a 250, and it was my favorite this year, so.

[C]

Really? Yeah. It's a great.

[B]

And they do a great job.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

That's awesome.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Oh, and then you said erect, and then it was Kinect. So that's actually where we ended.

[B]

Yes, I know.

[D]

But now you're.

[B]

I'm connected.

[D]

But now you're connected with Jess. You guys are connected.

[B]

But here we are. We made it.

[D]

Roddy, would you like to speak about the WTA Finals? Since you clinched a spot for the WTA Finals? Congrats.

[A]

Thanks.

[D]

Do you want to tell us how. How it works for people that are listening that don't know much about the WTA Finals or how you secure a spot for the finals?

[A]

Well, this is going to be my second finals. Jess is a pro. Jess has been to, like, 75 finals now at this point, so she might know more of the rules. But this is my second finals. My first One was in 2016. I played in Singapore, which Singapore is so fun, by the way. Awesome city. Yeah, it was funny. Like, one of the first comments that I got from it, someone was like, wow, it's so inspirational that you're still playing. And nine years later, you made it again. I was like, thank you.

[B]

Thanks.

[A]

I think I thought, yeah. So it is the top eight of the race. Get into the finals. There is a new rule as of. I believe last year was the year that we put it in. If you want to slam and you are outside of the top eight, you take that eighth spot. It gets a little bit confusing. I think if two people have won Slams and they're not in the top eight. But we'll cross that bridge if we ever get to it.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

So it's, it's exciting. So I think Amanda and I just made it. I know. I think Coco clinched it a few days ago as well. And Jess is, Jess is right there.

[D]

Jess is on the cusp.

[B]

I'm close.

[C]

She's on the line. Yeah, it's. Yeah, I think it's.

[D]

So that would be four.

[C]

It's.

[D]

Yeah, that would.

[C]

I, I always think it's like it's. I wouldn't say that I would. Would you rather win a slam or finals? I think I'd rather still win a Slam. But it is, I mean it's an amazing achievement to like show that you've been consistent throughout the whole year. And I think that's just like it rewards those top players and I mean to win finals you're beating the top eight players in the world. So I mean it's a much, I want to say tougher because you can't really gauge on like what's tougher or not. But as far as like the level of player that you're playing is. Yeah. Like you have no warm up matches. You, there's nothing to kind of get you going or playing someone that maybe doesn't feel experienced or whatever the reasons are you're playing people that have a ton of experience and like a lot of confidence from winning the whole year. So I feel like that's always the biggest, biggest challenge where you feel like there's no room for error. At least that's how I always feel when I, when I played finals.

[B]

Yeah. And obviously everyone's good, but alternatively it's.

[A]

The only tournament that you can lose a match and still win your ends.

[C]

Yeah. Yes.

[A]

So you can lose, you play.

[B]

You guaranteed three, you can lose in round robin. You're guaranteed three matches and if you lose all three, I mean, yeah, you're guaranteed all three matches but you still get your payment. You get the minimum, what I guess participation fee and then you get an added bonus if you do win each round. And obviously it goes up tremendously for each round. But yeah, like you said, there's for singles and doubles, that's the top eight and it's, there's no room for error.

[C]

But I just didn't love when I played Fort Worth and I made singles and doubles and I went 06 and that sucks. So that was where I did not. I wanted to just leave, lose and leave. And I was like, I'm still here losing every single match. I was like, just get me out of here.

[B]

It's like a compass draw. Like you just keep losing and it's like, oh my God, yeah.

[C]

Oh my God.

[D]

The consolation.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

North northeast compass.

[C]

Yeah, yeah. It's rough.

[D]

Triple crowns. Yeah.

[B]

Do you think that's like a goal that everyone sets at the beginning of the year? Do you think it's like, like obviously it's a great goal. I mean for doubles. For us, we would like to stick to one partner and that's obviously, you know, the goal of top eight teams make it to the year end. But is that a goal for you think singles players or you guys yourself?

[A]

Yeah, I think it's always a goal that, I mean, you want to finish top eight, you want to be in your own finals. I think it's definitely, I think it's like almost harder to make it in doubles because it has to be with a partner. Sometimes you'll see like if someone gets injured, people have to switch mid season and then there's so much more stress of doing well somewhere else with someone new versus as a singles player, obviously it's just like all on you. Instead of relying on, are we meshing, are we not meshing? I can't imagine the stress of if you start the year with a partner and you're not doing super well, at what point are you like, okay, wait for both of us, we should try to pair up with someone else to make your ends or do we stick it out and then we could go on a tear. So that's obviously an element that singles players don't have to deal with. I cannot imagine the added layer of stress of like the doubles pairings.

[B]

Oh, I mean, doubles pairings, like they go like, some pairings will go for maybe a three month part, like section and then they'll be like, okay, we're not doing great, move on to the next. They'll do another three months trial, move on to the next if that's not working out. But I feel like, you know, sometimes you gotta stick it out and you may do well. But some teams even start, like there was a couple. I think there's a few teams that started maybe after Wimbledon, they won a lot of tournaments in a row and they end up making year end finals. Like it's doable, but it is, it's so stressful and you're obviously looking to see, okay, if I win this Match, we'll be up, you know, 100 points over this team. You know, we'll be able to make it.

[C]

Or it's just.

[B]

It's. It's so stressful. Like, towards this back end of the year, people are like, okay, I got to play till the end, or, like, we got to win this match. We want them to lose. If we win, then will be in and the next team won't be like, it's just like a whole calculation that I just. It's too stressful. I can't look at that. Like, I need to just play my match.

[D]

Yeah. I feel like at some point it's just, like, hinders you and you can't even perform anyways. But to each their own. But, Jess, you're pretty close to securing your spot. How has your time in China been?

[C]

It's been good. I mean, I came to Shenzhen for BJK finals. We lost in the finals there, and then came to Beijing. It was a long, long couple weeks in Beijing. Had weeks. Yeah, I had it. You know, I mean, tennis is. You guys already know, like, save match points earlier in the tournament, then have match points yesterday. Obviously sucks a lot. I saw Amanda just won, so congrats to her. Yeah, I think she won, which is crazy. But, yeah, it's. I'm close. I'm just trying to have a good attitude. And, you know, we. The good thing is when you play, like, and you're doing well and you win a lot of matches. Like, I already play this week, and Wuhan's only a week tournament, so it's not like it feels like it's dragging on. Like, I feel like I got through, like, the bulk of, like, Beijing just being a long event, and then now it feels like I'm gonna go right into playing, and then the next event's the following week, so I don't have to, like, wait around. You get to go to a different city if you have to. I mean, my goal is to do well here this week, so I hopefully don't have to play the next couple weeks, but we'll see how it goes. Yeah.

[D]

And you've been sending us a lot of photos of all the gifts.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

That you've been receiving and everyone. Yeah. From all your fans and everyone that's listened to the podcast. Has there been any favorites or. I mean, they're all so personalized and, you know, I feel like it's pretty unique to have something like that. And every day you're getting something new.

[C]

Yeah. The fans here this year. I've noticed A massive difference. They, like, I have so many more fans this year. I don't really, like, exactly know why they said that. Tennis has grown, like, so much in China just because of Chin Wen winning the gold, that they think that's why, like. Like this even, like, the crowds we got were really, really good, whereas I feel like it's gotten even more than the last, you know, few years practices. Like, it's been really crazy, but they make the most insane gifts for. For players and a ton of players box podcast gifts. So we're definitely gonna clip those. Clip those in here because they are. Yeah. I can't even explain exactly how they are, but they made me, like, made us, like, all. Which, by the way, all of us. They gave me four of anything. Like, with players box, which actually does. I need to give you a couple things, but, like, keychains, where it looks like an ipod, basically, or a Spotify. Like, it looks like your iPhone screen with players box pod with, like.

[D]

Oh, yeah, that was so cool with.

[C]

Our faces on them. I got, like, small keychains. One keychains of that. And then I got, like, these really big crazy ones. There are signs. Someone yelled howdy ho at me from your last social clip, Jenny, like, at practice, trying to get my attention to sign an autograph. And they're always like, I'm listening to it right now, or, I just listened today, or blah, blah, blah. So, yeah, we have a ton. We have a ton of fans in China.

[B]

Great fan base here.

[C]

No, like, seriously?

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

That's amazing.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

And you also picked up a new nickname. Dafu.

[C]

Rich woman.

[D]

Rich woman.

[B]

We were in the lounge today, and I think a fan came up to Jess, and we're just sitting, and they're like, dafu, Dafu. And she's like, I don't even know what I'm saying right.

[C]

But they literally just say it to me now, like, that's, like, my name.

[B]

She's like, okay, I'll sign.

[C]

Yeah. I'm like, oh, thanks. I asked them for a more humble nickname, but I don't think they. They're just like. No, they just want.

[B]

They're, like, straight to the point.

[C]

Yeah, they're very straight to the point. And they find these really. I mean, everybody has, like, all these different nicknames, so they just find stuff. I don't know if they just do research of funny moments. I had press after one of my matches, and one of the guys. I don't know if it was for Weibo or RedNote or one of, like, the big social Media in China. And the fan question was, you take. There was a video of you tying your shoes, and it took you 30 seconds to tie each shoe. Like, can you tell us about, like, why it takes you so long to tie your shoes? And I was like, first of all, like, what?

[B]

Like, time to be.

[C]

Yeah. I was like, where is that video? I have not seen that video. I. It was, like, a whole. And it was just so random. So they, like, know everything that you do, and that's why, like, yeah. And they make you, like, these crazy things, and they're just very in tune to, like, players that they like, and.

[B]

They really give a lot of gifts to a lot of the players.

[C]

Like, they have, like, I have a whole suitcase. Yeah.

[B]

And they give, like.

[D]

It's very personalized.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

It's really sweet. I mean, it's amazing to see. It's one way to get your attention to, like, they.

[C]

They've been picking animals, too, for players. Like, so I think Amanda. Amanda always gets pandas. And I think they're trying to find an animal for Coco, but I don't know if she ever found one. They gave me a cappy capybara.

[B]

Oh, my God, those are so cute.

[C]

Because they said they're chill and calm. So this guy just gave me a giant capybara stuffed animal in here. I do have it in the suitcase over there. And I was just like, okay. But it's just like, they just, like. And they just tell you what you are or, like, what your nickname is, what your animal. Like, this is. And there's not really a lot of negotiation. It's just like, you are a capybara.

[D]

Oh, that's what I am.

[C]

And, like, that's it. And that's what we were going to call you forever. I'm like, okay, at least I'll just.

[A]

Start calling you, like, rich woman. Just lean into it.

[C]

Well, the first lady told me it didn't translate exactly like that. And I was like, but it does. And she's like, well, but it's like. It's not, like, mean. It's like. It's, like, good. It's, like, bountiful. And, like. And I was just. I don't know.

[A]

She's basically saying, look, we're just stating facts, like, live with it. Move on.

[C]

Exactly. And then Emma Navarro is ouru. Which is supposed to be, like, smaller rich woman. I'm not.

[D]

At least you're not poor woman.

[B]

I mean, you're not wrong. But imagine you're poor woman.

[C]

Poor woman. Yeah.

[D]

I'm trying to Translate it on.

[C]

That's what they just keep. Yeah.

[D]

Oh, dafu. Large, large woman.

[A]

Large woman.

[C]

Okay, wait, that's worse.

[B]

We're gonna stick to rich.

[C]

I don't want it to be large.

[D]

Rich, rich woman. Rich.

[C]

I am rich.

[D]

Very rich woman.

[B]

Large, rich, rich woman.

[C]

Don't stop translating it.

[B]

But we love China.

[D]

Yeah, I'm done.

[B]

So that's great. Google fans.

[D]

Yeah. Google Translate. Google Translate doesn't do anybody good.

[B]

So wait, can we talk about the high speed trains here? How amazing they are in China though, like the travel between tournaments have been.

[D]

Oh yeah.

[B]

Unreal. It's like, well, one way to travel.

[A]

Oh, the travel is great. If you remember to put all of your passport numbers in on the website, Shout out. Kayla if you're listening.

[C]

Last year, she's definitely listening.

[A]

Yeah. When she sent me, I'm booking all of our tickets from Beijing to Wuhan and for whatever reason she didn't, she didn't give me all of her numbers on her passport. So we like put it all in. I don't think of anything of it because she just literally sent me a number. I assume that, you know, she sent me all of the numbers. Buy the tickets, get to the train station. And your passport number like is your ticket. So it just automatically connects. So we scan our passports, go through. I go through, Bjorn goes through. Kayla. It's like not opening. And I was like, I don't know what's happening. We're physically at the train station. The train station is like under construction. So where the help desk is is like downstairs, but all the elevators are closed because of the construction. There's like one door that has stairs that she's supposed to go down. She said she went to grab the handle and like the handle came off in her hand and she was like, what do I do? So she's like, full panic. It's her first time ever traveling in China and now like we're separated by a security line. The broken. And I was like, I don't know what to like, I don't know what to do. Like, try to go find the help desk. Like, I'll see what I can do on my side. And our train was in like, I don't know, like an hour maybe. So then I finally was like, she's like running around panicking. And I was like, okay, fine, I'm just gonna buy you a new ticket. Like I'll put your whole passport number in so like it'll actually connect. And she was like, okay, fine, like I'll get back whatever and then when we got on the train, then all of a sudden she had two seats with her name attached to it. So the ladies kept coming up to her and being like, why are you? Like, why do you have two seats? And then we're like trying to explain that, like, we didn't have time to find the help. It was like the most chaotic 45 minutes ever. And then we got on the train and I was like, wait, this train is awesome.

[D]

No, it's the best. It's so easy.

[C]

It's like so nice.

[D]

Literally. Full recline.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

So much space. So much space for activities.

[B]

And it's actually not that expensive. Well, I didn't think it was that expensive.

[C]

It's not.

[B]

I mean, for five and a half hour journey from Beijing to Or Wuhan.

[C]

I think it was five and a half.

[B]

But the ley flats. Oh, my God, they're unreal.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

Yeah. Except for Jess. She got.

[C]

She got hoaxed. Oh, my gosh. Did I tell you guys as well that, like, what, we were at the last carriage, so we had to walk 16.

[B]

You did tell me that.

[C]

Carriages down. I was in a full slope. And I thought at that point, I think you won.

[D]

Unforced error.

[C]

I don't need to keep talking about it. But I forgot to add that little tiny fact in it. So that was. Yeah, that was it. We walked the entire mark was like, this is the longest train I've ever seen in my life with all the bags.

[D]

But once we got there, it's like one mile long.

[C]

Once we got there, it was great. It's the second time I've done. Because last year was so easy. Yeah, it was awesome.

[B]

It was great. But piggybacking off your story, Maddie Juju had the same thing happen to her.

[D]

She.

[B]

She goes, my fat fingers. Like, I didn't put the right number in. And it didn't. So when she got to the. The train station, she's like, no, this is right. And they're like, no, this is wrong. And she's like, oh, my God, my fat fingers. They just put the wrong number in and she had to rebook. So they refunded her, booked her on the next train, which was six hours later. So she had to wait in the train station for six hours, but luckily she was in like the business zones. But yeah, if you miss one number, you don't get the whole thing.

[C]

Right.

[B]

They really.

[D]

Well, as you shouldn't.

[B]

Yeah, it's true.

[D]

Human error.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Oh, wait. And that's where I just have to say I rage booked My ticket last night after I lost in the ice bath. So I was like, in the ice bath after like three hour match. Like, and then I remembered Maddie's story because I was there at the train station and Kayla was like missing and we didn't know like, what was going on with her ticket. And you and Bjorn were like, this is like the worst possible person for this to happen to because Kayla had never been here. Like, it was the first time, I think you. Have you done the train? It was kind of like all of our first time, I think maybe or no. Yeah. So it was just like really, we didn't really know. We're like, is she okay? Do you guys need help? And they're like, you're like, oh, she'll. She'll figure it out. Or, well, I'll just buy her a new ticket, no worry. If anyone knows Kayla, I guess it would make more sense. We love you, but. It's really funny. But yeah. So when I was booking in the ice bath and I was like, really frustrated from the match and I was like, don't mess up the passport numbers. Because I just kept thinking of that story. And of course I didn't mess up the numbers, but I messed up the time. You just. Extra experience.

[B]

You want an extra an hour experience. And you know, the high speed train.

[C]

Yeah. I mean, that's the. What is it? The financial freedom. Just the rich woman. Financial freedom. China. Just. Yeah. So, yeah.

[D]

Okay, let's move on to some fan questions. Okay, first question from Shake period. Bake period. 71. My daughter has started playing tournaments. Any tips for a tennis dad or any tennis parent? Just don't be a dad. Not a tennis dad.

[B]

Yes.

[D]

Stay out of it. Yeah. Don't try to be their coach.

[C]

No.

[D]

Yeah.

[A]

Do lots of this.

[C]

Yeah. We're all like. We're all answering this question.

[B]

Caroline.

[D]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Just zipper your lips and clap your hands. Support.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

Just be.

[C]

Adapt.

[B]

Yeah. Okay.

[D]

Here's a question for Desiree from Daisy Wolf. 131. What made you decide to only play doubles?

[B]

Oh, that's a great question. Well, I did play both singles and doubles in college. And then transitioning from college to the pros, I did start to play singles. Doubles was not really the thing. Like, when you go into pros, you're not like, oh, yeah, I'm gonna play doubles. You know, I started playing singles, I think about 18 months in. It took me forever to get one point. And I was like, this is just not for me, if I'm gonna be quite honest. And I was doing. I started with the 15Ks, the 25Ks, in the 60s, and I did really well in those, in doubles. And I was like, oh, wow, this is actually not too bad. Like, winning every week's really great. So I kind of was playing singles, and then doubles was just doing a lot better, quicker. So I kind of just weaned off the singles and just did better in doubles. But, you know, if I can get into a, A tournament and sign in, I will. And Charleston. Charleston. Yeah. There was one year I signed in, I went through qualifying and then lost to Kriyamatova, and then she won the tournament. So I felt great about myself.

[C]

I think I should retire.

[B]

Yeah, no, it was.

[C]

That's.

[D]

Yeah, that's kind of the story from Kat Reddit. I would love to know how each of you got into tennis, and if it wasn't for tennis, what other professional sport would you have loved to play? Oh, Jess, do you want to start us off?

[C]

Sure. I got into tennis because my older sister played tennis. She played juniors and collegiately, so I was always around it. And that's just kind of how I started taking lessons after school because of her. And I would say the other sport I would have played is probably, probably like golf or softball, because those were both sports I played when I was younger as well, before I, like, full on went into tennis. What about you, Jen?

[D]

I think my dad got me started in it, but he doesn't play tennis. Nobody in my family played tennis, so we were kind of, like, not really aware of, like, what tennis was. He played football. So I grew up kind of, like, really watching a lot of football and following football. But I think, you know, growing up in Pennsylvania, one day we just went to a local park over by our hometown and just, I don't know, I think we went to Walmart before and bought some rackets and some balls. And then my dad was out there feeding my sister and I. And I think immediately he knew my sister wasn't the athletic one. She got the brains. We joke and say she got the brains and I got the athleticism. So I kind of just, you know, kept playing. In the beginning, I didn't really like it. I would have rather, like, been a kid. And like, I enjoyed, really enjoyed, like, being outside, playing outside. I. I was kind of a tomboy growing up. So I was always playing sports, baseball, basketball, football, tackle football, you know, with, with the boys in the neighborhood. So in terms of, like, what sport I would have played, I don't know. I really like kickball But I don't know if that's a sport.

[B]

I love kickball growing up.

[D]

Yeah, it's so fun. Yeah. Maybe rugby.

[B]

Whoa, context.

[D]

Oh, hot take, right? Yeah, no, because I really like to play like football and obviously there's not like. Yeah, but I never played flag football either. Two hand touch or tackle. But maybe rugby would be the sport I would play. I don't really know to be honest. I've. My mom always said I liked. Oh gosh, I like balls. Like any. As soon as I said that any like balls, like I would always be playing with balls. So like any type of ball sport. I guess so. One sport that I never really played was soccer. I just didn't have that hand, foot, eye connection.

[A]

No one plays tennis in my family. Still to this day, I'm the only one that plays. When I was like four, I was walking through my parents bedroom. Wimbledon was on saw Venus was like, that dress, I really like it. Kind of want one. So I told my mom, I was like, I would like a tennis dress. Well, I didn't know what tennis was, so I was like, I want that dress. And my mom was like, okay, well you like have to play the sport. Like I'm not just gonna go buy you a dress. Like you have to play the sport. And I was like, perfect, sign me up, I don't care. Just like I want the outfit. And then it was like weeks later and I was like, hey, remember that, that thing with the sticks and everything with like cute dresses. When are we gonna do that? And so she like went to Walmart or something and just literally got a racket off the shelf, some balls and I just hit against my garage door. And then I eventually graduated from that. And I feel like it's a very telling to how I still play tennis. I would just hit the ball as hard as I possibly could because we had an empty lot across the street. So I would hit it as far as I could and then I'd scream home run. And like do a lap.

[C]

So I was really confused. So you wanted to play baseball.

[A]

So also didn't want to play baseball.

[D]

Softball.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Also like have never played softball. Never played baseball. Probably just like grew up. I mean growing up close enough to Chicago that the Cubs obviously were a big thing. And my grandparents, my grandpa is like a die hard Cubs fan so I probably just picked it up from him, confused the two sports and was like, yeah, perfect. You just hit as hard as you can. Still something I'm trying to like get rid of. But yeah, that's how I started playing tennis and just. I don't know, I. My mom used to kind of have to like, she would kind of bribe me to go to practices. So I would get like, these little. She made like laminated tokens, like, if I went to practice and like, I, like, didn't do cartwheels in the background the whole time. Like, I would get tokens and I could like, turn them in for something. Honestly, it was probably to like, go to like, limited too, and get a new outfit and like. And then eventually I was like, oh, wait, I actually kind of like this. Like, maybe I'll stick to it. But yeah, it's kind of the only sport that I've ever been interested in. I danced when I was younger, so I did like ballet, pointe and jazz, but I was like, I don't know. I think I quit when I was 10. And I was like the same height as all of the girls that were like, going to school. So like 18 year old, 18 year olds. And my dance instructor was like, you're actually like, very good. We want you to be in productions and like, you need to pick between tennis and dance. And my mom sat me as a 10 year old down. She was like, look, you're 54 and you're 10. Don't think dancing is like, gonna be in your future. I was like, bet I'll pick tennis. So, yeah, stuck to it. I think if. I think if I didn't play tennis, as I've said in the past, I'm a big DCC fan. Probably, probably be a cheerleader. Growing up, we had like this local basketball team and we would go basketball and football and we would go every single Friday to watch the games because my dad did the radio show. And I was obsessed with the cheerleaders to the point where they like, got me a little uniform and I had official pom poms and I would stand, stand down by them and like, do my whole routine next to them, actually.

[C]

So cute.

[A]

So cheerleading. That's what I would do.

[B]

Okay, Desiree, have I gone to tennis? My dad actually played when he moved to America. He played on the senior tour and loved it. And I was always with him at tennis every time he was playing in the morning. And so I think that's how I got started. And gosh, I started racket in my hand when I was 2. And yeah, very young, but loved it. Loved competing. I had great coaches, which kept me, you know, loving the sport. So, yeah, that's how I got into tennis. But there weren't Any other sports I played, I think it was just more I did dance like Maddie. I did like ballet. I remember, oh my gosh, like these home videos with my little tutu and doing my dances in front of my parents and then going to ballet classes and all that. That was more the only thing I ever did. My dad didn't want me in contact sports. He was like, no, like nothing near your face. Like you've glasses. And I'm like, oh, okay, whatever. My transition glasses.

[A]

And I was like, okay.

[C]

So.

[B]

So I never really tried any other sports. It was literally just tennis. But I don't know, I kinda.

[D]

So when are you going on Dancing with the Stars?

[B]

I think I'm gonna need a little bit more practice. It might actually help my footwork on the tennis court. But love Dancing with the Stars. Big, big fan.

[D]

Huge. I think maybe the biggest fan. Des gives us the weekly rapport of like, yes, this person. Blah, blah, blah, Big fans.

[B]

Whitney Lovett and are my top two.

[A]

The best was when the season was coming out and she was like, yeah, I'm just sitting and watching the finale to like pre game the new season. And we're like, whoa, you really love it.

[C]

Yeah, that was like, that's, that's, that's next level.

[D]

If there, if there was anyone from our group, I think DEZ would be the one on Dancing with the Stars.

[B]

I would love it. Not sure how well I would do, but I would love it.

[C]

I mean, I respect them so much. Like I was rewatch actually last night. I was trying to watch clips to like, okay, you sent it to keep up with like what she keeps talking about when we don't know what she's talking about. And I'm like, she's like, some of these people are so good. I was like trying to picture if I could ever do that. And I was like, I would freeze. Like talk about. I don't even know if my back.

[B]

Would be like, do that position like samba roll. Like how do you even do that?

[C]

I don't know. It's crazy. How long do they train for?

[B]

So well. Okay, well, they, they have I think like a few weeks. Because they obviously do like their intro and like their intro to who's reveal, partnership, whatever. And then after the first week, they only have one week to learn a new dance routine. So how crazy is that? And like some of these people are so good.

[D]

No, like crazy. I can't even do a 20 second tick tock dance video.

[B]

We're gonna work on that.

[D]

How am I supposed to learn how am I supposed to learn a. A dance?

[C]

Salsa.

[B]

Like the cha cha.

[C]

Oh, my gosh.

[B]

Argentine tango.

[D]

I can't even walk in heels.

[C]

What?

[D]

My ankle rolls when I put on heels.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

How am I supposed to dance in that?

[B]

It is very impressive what they do. I mean, it's. It's props to them for going on the show. And there's some really good dancers. It's very entertaining. Next week's Disney week, by the way, guys. Anyone wanted to know.

[D]

There you go.

[C]

I am a fan. Your favorite of Robert Irwin. He's adorable.

[D]

So good. Me too.

[C]

It's cool. That didn't. Did Bindi win?

[B]

His sister won on the show with Derek.

[C]

Yeah. That's crazy. That's so cool. And then, yeah, Whitney, like, since you watch Secret Mormon Lives. Oh, we lost somebody.

[D]

Oh, we lost Maddie.

[C]

Oh, wow. That's rare.

[A]

Wow.

[C]

Wow.

[B]

For anyone not watching, we have just lost Maddie. Keys.

[C]

Yeah. More technical difficulties.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

But Whitney is, like, insane.

[D]

But I know she's incredible.

[C]

She definitely had experience, which I still think is unfair. I'm like, how are you having some people that have none and then some that clearly have some? That's helping them so much. But she is, like a different person on that show.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Which is wild.

[B]

I feel like she's in her element, though. Like, she looks like she's rushing.

[D]

So confident.

[B]

All the videos, like, yeah, Jen.

[D]

So confident.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah. So I feel like there's a crazy.

[D]

It's like me during fan questions where.

[B]

They'Re like, they can't. There's got to be certain amount of years in between their dance background or what, you know, like, there's a certain level because some on people in that show, like, not very good. I mean, they try hard, you know, that's what everyone wants.

[C]

So it used to be like you had none. Like, they were, like, learning how to dance as the show went on. Now it's like they look like pros, some of them, from, like, the first one. And I'm like, what happened? Because I haven't watched in so long.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

So I think that's why I was, like, shocked. I was like, what's going on?

[B]

I mean, Charlie d', Amelio, she's been on TikTok or she was one of the first ones, and. And she was. She won it last year.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[D]

She's like a pro.

[B]

Like, she can get her leg, like, up. I. I don't even know what she does.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Also, shout out. Shout out to Jordan Childs. Go Bruins.

[C]

Yeah. She's crushing It.

[B]

Yeah. And the gymnasts are unreal. Like, Sean Johnson was unreal. She won it one year, too.

[C]

Yeah, usually the usually or wasn't there a figure skater?

[D]

It was Christian.

[B]

No, there was another one partnered up with figure skater.

[C]

I remember a while ago. That was also really good because it's so similar. I think also, like, learning.

[B]

Also won it, I think. Or made finals.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

Okay, last question. Last question from Beyonce. What are your thoughts on the new Taylor Swift album?

[B]

We love it.

[D]

Those are my thoughts.

[B]

Sorry, I'm wearing the shirt.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

In protest, not Taylor Swift.

[B]

Get that out of here. This is Taylor Swift.

[C]

They're friends, though.

[B]

They're friends. Yeah.

[C]

So it's like kind of, you know. Yeah.

[D]

This is UCLA shirt. This is me. Teamwork, leadership and character.

[B]

Yeah, definitely. I like the album. It's definitely grown on me. I think my top four songs have switched, but I'll give them anyways for my non Swifties next to me would ruin the friendship Opalite.

[C]

Oh, wood is your number one.

[B]

No, just in four total. Wood.

[C]

I mean, it sounds like.

[A]

What does tell us what wood is all about.

[D]

Knock on wood. We don't have time for this.

[C]

Knock on wood.

[B]

Knock on wood. You know, she's not superstitious anymore. And then I have another favorite. Oh, Elizabeth Taylor. Great song.

[D]

I'd say DEZ is the only Swifty in our foursome. Here go Bills.

[B]

Like, also Hazel Smith, because, you know, chiefs versus Bills. Like, a lot of.

[C]

I used to be a Taylor Swift. I just fell off the last few albums. I just. I just.

[B]

Everywhere.

[C]

Right. I don't know. I just got. It's too much with the Easter egg. Like, there was much. So, so, like, so much stuff. Like, in depth with all of her fans. Like, with every song and every lyric and every video.

[B]

Creepy fans out there that know everything are like, oh, my God, the whole lyric page, like the whole set list looks like her eras, tour walk out. Like, how do people even have time to figure that out? That, to me, is a little too much.

[C]

She's got some bangers. I'm not gonna deny that. But I just. I'm not. I don't think. I'm not a swifty. Just. Yeah, I am a sweet. And we'll.

[D]

Yeah, we're gonna end it at that.

[B]

But thank you for supporting me, guys.

[D]

Yep.

[A]

For lack of.

[B]

I don't know.

[C]

Yeah. Super cool.

[D]

Thank you everyone for your fan questions for this week. 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 if you want to ask us a question, slide into the DMs on Instagram at the Players Box pod or email [e-mail] thanks.

[B]

See ya too Loo.