Bonus - Why We Started The Player’s Box

Summary

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The Player’s Box - Bonus Episode: Why We Started The Player’s Box

Released: August 26, 2025
Hosts: Madison Keys (A), Jessica Pegula (B), Jennifer Brady (C), Desirae Krawczyk (D)

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Overview

In their debut bonus episode, Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, Jennifer Brady, and Desirae Krawczyk introduce "The Player’s Box," a candid podcast exploring the unfiltered, behind-the-scenes reality of life on and off the tennis court. The group delves into their motivations for starting a podcast, recounts hilarious travel and fan interaction stories, engages in playful banter, and answers fan questions with their characteristic humor and honesty.

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Main Themes & Purpose

• Showcasing Female Athletes’ Perspectives: The hosts express a desire to offer more female voices in sports media, sharing their unique experiences in the professional tennis world.
• Friendship and Real Talk: The podcast aims to capture the energy of their group chat—part therapy, part inside jokes—and to invite listeners into their tight-knit dynamic.
• Unfiltered Access: "The Player’s Box" promises a mix of match breakdowns, candid travel tales, pop culture discussions, and Q&As, breaking down the barrier between fans and athletes.

“We think that we’re very funny and other people would like to listen to the things that we giggle about. And also, having a female perspective in the sport — I don’t think you hear a ton of that.” — Madison Keys (A) [00:35]

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Origin Story of The Player’s Box

• From Group Chat to Podcast Studio:
  The idea for the show was born in their group chat, initially joked about as early as December 2023—well before similar male-led tennis podcasts emerged.

  • “We were actually joking about it for now almost two years… so I don’t want anyone to think that just because the four American guys started a podcast, we decided to hop on the bandwagon.” — Jennifer Brady (C) [03:06]

• Podcast as Group Therapy:

  • The friends liken their conversations to therapy sessions, with plans to let fans in on their off-the-court camaraderie.

Why This Podcast, Why Now?

• Breaking New Ground for Female Athletes:
  • Madison emphasizes the lack of tennis podcasts from women's perspectives.
  • The foursome is motivated by the success of male counterparts, hinting at some competitive spirit and playful rivalry.

“We finally actually did it. I will say the guys definitely motivated us. We were like, they can do it, we can do it.” — Jessica Pegula (B) [04:56]

Fan Interactions: Mishaps and Pet Peeves [05:27–14:51]

• Mistaken Identity Is Rampant:

  • Madison (frequently mistaken for Jessica):

    • “All year, everyone keeps saying that I’m Jessica, and I’m not. I’m actually Madison.” (A) [05:42–06:43]
    • Recounts a particularly awkward baggage claim incident at London airport.

  • Jennifer (mistaken for Maria Sakkari):

    • “I’m in Cincinnati in 2023, and … this lady comes up to me and she goes, ‘Maria, can I get a photo?’” — Jennifer Brady (C) [06:44]
    • Even after producing her credential, the fan insists, then immediately pivots for a Jennifer Brady photo.

• Height Surprises and Personal Boundaries:

  • All share stories of fans commenting on their height and mixing up the players due to TV appearances.

• Aggressive Fans and Personal Space:

  • Jessica tells of a fan in Hamburg who tried to kiss her on the cheek during what was meant to be a simple photo. (B) [12:10–12:51]
  • “Do you guys ever get the same fan that comes and takes pictures of you with you… like, you’ve had 15 photos with me? Like, what?” — Desirae Krawczyk (D) [12:52]

• Photo Etiquette Tips:
  The players urge fans to have their phones ready for quick pictures, echoing a “PSA” for smoother interactions.

  • “My other…pet peeve is when people ask for pictures and they don’t have the camera ready.” — Jessica Pegula (B) [11:07]

• Signing Odd Memorabilia and Potential eBay Flippers:

  • Jennifer: “I signed this one picture the other day, and it was so grainy... like, you don’t know who this is?” (C) [13:31]
  • The group jokes about fans trying to resell signed items for marginal profit.

Pop Culture Q&A: Taylor Swift Albums [15:15–17:43]

• Taylor Swift Fandom Divides:
  • Desirae is a proud “Reputation” and “1989” fan (“That’s two!” the group teases).
  • Jessica: “It’s 1989.” (B) [16:13]
  • Jennifer admits she is not a huge Swifty but recognizes “Lavender Haze” from radio play.
  • Madison loved “Red” as a teen, but hasn’t kept up with newer albums.

Wildest Hotel Story [18:48–21:48]

• A Truly Unsettling Room Intrusion:

  • Jennifer wins this segment with a harrowing story:
    • In Rome, she wakes to find a strange man standing over her in her hotel room at 3:00am. She chases him out, calls security (who doubt her story), then barricades the door and tries to sleep—only then realizing “I wasn’t wearing bottoms, so I really felt extra violated.” [19:02–21:10]
    • “From that point on, I sleep with bottoms.” — Jennifer Brady (C) [21:43]

• Other Close Calls:

  • Desirae and others recall strangers accidentally entering their rooms, likely with the wrong key.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Podcast Inspiration:

  • “We made it out of the group chat.” — Madison Keys (A) [02:41]
  • “I think, yeah… our personalities are a little bit better. But not to be biased or anything.” — Jennifer Brady (C, D) [03:36–03:42]

• On Fan Pet Peeves:

  • “It’s more so when people are, like, aggressively telling you and trying to like gaslight you into saying that you’re someone that you’re not.” — Madison Keys (A) [11:04]
  • “PSA announcement: Have your cameras ready.” — Jennifer Brady (C) [11:48]

• On Hotel Intruders:

  • “I open my eyes, look up, and there’s a man standing there…so I chase him out, then barricaded my door with my racquet on a chair—if someone came in, the racquet would fall and wake me up!” — Jennifer Brady (C) [19:02–21:10]

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Segment Timestamps

• Intro & Podcast Mission – [00:03–02:48]
• Podcast Origin Story & Dynamic with Male Podcasters – [02:48–05:15]
• Fan Interaction Q&A – [05:27–14:51]
• Taylor Swift Album Q&A – [15:15–17:43]
• Funniest Hotel Story – [18:48–21:48]

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Tone & Takeaways

The episode overflows with chemistry, laughter, playful teasing, and candid admissions. The quartet’s lively banter quickly dispels any notion of a sterile or scripted show. The Player’s Box promises humor, vulnerability, and authenticity as it carves out space for women’s stories and voices in tennis.

For new listeners:
You’re guaranteed an insider’s look at elite tennis, relatable friendship antics, and plenty of stories you’ll only ever hear from The Player’s Box.

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Transcript

[A]

This is the Players Box.

[B]

Hi, everybody. Welcome to the first ever episode of the Players Box. I am Jessica Kagula, and I am here with Madison Keys, Jennifer Brady, and Desiree Krapczyk. And we've been friends for I don't know how many years, all of us.

[C]

I feel like having different relationships a long time.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Super excited to kind of start this podcast. It's gonna be a lot of fun.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I think we wanted to start a podcast because one, we think that we're very funny and other people would like to listen to the things that we giggle about. And also I think, you know, just having a female perspective in the sport, I don't think you hear a ton of that. And we just kind of wanted to let you know what we think, and we can talk about our matches. We can get some questions from some of the fans, and we're gonna have some guests on, so we'll, I guess, see if everyone loves it. Hopefully you think we're as funny as we all think that we are.

[B]

Yeah, we think we're really funny.

[C]

Yeah, we do. We'll also be able to give behind the scenes of what it's like to be a professional tennis player. What it's like to be a female professional tennis player. There's a lot of things that people don't know. Maybe, you know, Jess, you've talked about just, like, little roles and stuff like that that happens that fans would probably be interested in finding out. But yeah, I think hopefully you guys are excited to listen and hear our perspective and hear what it's like to be a professional tennis player.

[D]

Yeah, and all the mishaps and all the, you know. Yeah, like you said, behind the scenes stuff and what people don't see and think that they know. But, you know, then again, it's just a lot of our lives behind the scenes of tennis. Life on the court, life on the off the court as well.

[B]

Lots of travel stories. Lots of mishaps. Lots of mishaps. Oh, gosh.

[D]

There's like a list of everything. Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

We excited to take you guys behind the scenes a little bit and just.

[C]

And it.

[B]

Not only just being professional athletes or female athletes, but obviously friends, too. So I feel like we always kind of treat when we talk to each other, like therapy a little bit.

[C]

So a lot of that.

[B]

Like, we're kind of taking you inside of. Yeah, kind of. What. I guess what made it. We started as a group chat, and what has now made it.

[A]

We made it out of the group chat.

[D]

We did, guys.

[C]

Good Job made it out. We'll see.

[B]

So, Jenny, want to share a little bit of your funny archives of. Actually, obviously, we're big fans of the Nothing Major podcast with all the guys.

[C]

Well, and yeah, this is.

[D]

Go ahead.

[C]

Well, I will say I went through the archives yesterday or the day before, and In December of 2023, we were actually joking about starting a podcast. And this was before the Nothing Major. So I don't want anyone to think that just because the four American guys started a podcast, we decided to hop on the bandwagon and start a four American women's version. It might be a little bit similar, but I think, yeah, know, our personalities are a little bit better.

[D]

But not to be biased or anything.

[C]

But yeah, so we were actually joking about it for now, almost two years, you know. Oh, when's the podcast? When are we starting a podcast? I think we'd be great for a podcast. Jesse said apparently I'd be. I was made for a podcast, so I think we'll find that out. I don't really agree. I'm feeling a little. Feeling a little stiff and tight right now, so. But yeah, we'll see how it goes. Yeah, no, that was my 13 step skincare routine from Maddie.

[A]

Oh, wait, yeah, yeah, you're very glowy.

[C]

I got a mixture of La Roche and ready 24, so.

[B]

Oh, oh, I already didn't meet a French.

[C]

Oh, wow.

[D]

With the lavender mist.

[B]

Oh, love that.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

So I feel like not. We didn't copy the guys. No, I got it. But it just sounds very similar.

[D]

But how many times in our chat where we'll be like, guys, we need to start a podcast because, like, something would happen. We would talk about something in a. In a tournament. We're like, oh, my God, this happened. Rain delay or, oh, doping or this. And we're like, gosh, this is like a whole segment of what we could talk about. And then here we are.

[B]

Yeah, we finally actually did it. I will say the guys definitely motivated us.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

We were like, they can do it, we can do it.

[C]

Yeah, we'll give them credit. No, and that's not TikTok, where it's.

[A]

Like, I like boys can do it.

[D]

Which was this.

[A]

Oh, my gosh, I'll send it to you later. But I'm like, chronically online one, obviously. Yeah, but it's like, yeah, like, boys can do it. Of course I can do it.

[D]

Wait, should we go through fan questions?

[C]

I'll read the question. I'll read it. Okay. Okay, so we have a question here from Anth Wong. What is your biggest pet peeve during fan interactions?

[A]

Okay, so all year, everyone keeps saying that I'm Jessica, and I'm not. I'm actually Madison. I'm not Jessica. This year, I'm in the London airport and I'm at baggage claim, and this person comes up to me and goes, oh, my God, you're Jessica. And I said, no, I'm not. And I think he thought it was. I was joking. And we had, like, this little thing between us, and he was like, haha, yeah, you are. I was like, no, I'm not.

[D]

And then it got, like.

[A]

It got weird. And then he was like, you're Jessica. And I was like, no, I'm not. I'm not Jessica. Please leave me alone. And he got, like, angry at me, and he finally was like, you're Jessica. And then walked away. And I was like, that was the weirdest thing that's ever happened to me.

[C]

How?

[D]

Mine.

[C]

Wait, can I go? Because. Yes. Okay. I literally have the exact same story. Very similar. Obviously they didn't mistake me for Jessica, but I'm in Cincinnati in 2023, and I'm walking around the grounds, and I'm wearing my credential, and this lady comes up to me and she goes, maria, can I get a photo? And I go, I was like, no, I'm not Maria. And she goes, yes, you are Maria Sakuri. Maria Sakuri. And I'm like, nope, that's not me. She goes, it's okay. It's okay. I won't tell anyone. I won't tell anyone if we just take a photo. And I go, I'm so sorry, but, like. And then I showed her my badge, and she goes, oh, Jennifer Brady, can we get a photo? And I was like, yeah, sure. Like, what? Like, I was like. I was like. I was like, what?

[A]

I don't understand. Because, like, respectfully, Jessica, I'm much taller than you are.

[C]

Yeah, but it's.

[A]

It's like the number one thing that people keep saying to me lately is, like, I'll see them for the first time in person. And they're like, you're so tall. And I'm like, do I look short on TV or something? Like, I'm so confused.

[B]

That one a lot too. I mean, one. I've been mistaken for, like, everybody here at least once. Not as avid as you have been getting mistaken for me. But they always tell me, like, I'm not. I'm like, five seven. You're how tall?

[A]

Like almost five eleven.

[C]

Yeah, I'm five ten. Jesse doesn't believe me, but that's another story. We can't touch on that one today. Maybe next time add it to the lid.

[B]

Well, if we do a pod in person together, we will measure.

[C]

Great. Get the ruler out.

[B]

In New York, everyone always is like, oh, my gosh, you're so tall. I'm like, well, I'm not, like, that short. Like, I'm above average for a female, but I'm not like, Arbakina. I'm not Saulnka. I'm not you. Like, I'm five seven, I think I'm really, really short. And I'm, like, kind of insulted sometimes because they're, like, the way that they asked it. It's like, oh, like, you're. You're so much taller. You're actually tall.

[A]

Thanks.

[B]

Thanks. I don't know. Like, it's weird.

[D]

Wait, so. So I remember when we were in. When I was going from Paris to London, and I texted you guys, and I was like, guy. This guy thought I was Jessica. So I was going through immigration there, and the guy that was working there with the passport scanner. Yeah, passport control. I hand in the passport, and he goes, you're Jessica. And I'm like, no, no. She says, the onyx too. Anyways, and then he goes, no, you're Jessica. I'm like, no, I'm not. But, like, can you just help me with my to go? I could get to the uk. And he's like, no, no, you're Jessica. I saw you play, like, congrats. And I was like, thanks. I end up was like, you know what? Screw it. Yeah, I'm Jessica. Thank you. Yeah, let me. You let me. Let me. Let me. Let you in. And let me in. I was like, oh. And so that's when I texted you, and I was like, thanks, Jess. Like, you let me to the country.

[B]

Did it have your passport?

[D]

Yeah, he helped me scan it because I was having trouble with. It's like the scanner. Look at it. And I was like, hi, can you help me? Because I had all my bags traveling with me, and I couldn't go through the, like, normal person. I had to go through, like, the bigger, wider entrance on my bags. So he was like, no, let me. Like, you're Jessica. But okay, yeah, let me help you and let that. Let me into the country. It was great.

[A]

So thank you.

[D]

We're all.

[A]

We're all just Jessica this year for we're all.

[C]

Well, not all of us here.

[B]

It's this year. Like, this wasn't as prominent, like, a few years ago.

[C]

Yeah. So our biggest pet peeve. So. Oh, look at you.

[D]

I got Marie. I usually get Maria or lucky you, Penny. Gorgeous. My hair.

[A]

Okay. So I think the pet peeve is less so that if they like mistake us for other people, that's fine. Happens all the time. Like we all wear the exact same. It's more so when people are like aggressively telling you and trying to like gaslight you into saying that you're someone that you're not.

[C]

Yeah, that's. Yeah. 100% my.

[B]

My other span interaction pet peeve is when people ask for pictures and they don't have the camera ready. I'm like, got to have a selfie camera, like ready to go. And so sometimes I make the mistake where now I look to see if they even have the phone out because sometimes I'll just be like, sure. And then like she starts digging in her purse, like bottom of the bag trying to get the phone, and I'm kind of standing there. And then like other people, maybe if I'm like walking from like the practice, I'm walking like through the ground and then they start like panicking because they're like really excited and they get nervous and then they can't get the phone out. And then like 10 other people, like come up, start asking for pictures and they're flipping the camera the wrong way.

[C]

PSA announcement. Have your cameras ready.

[B]

Selfie cameras.

[C]

Right.

[B]

And then I could not.

[C]

Okay, should we.

[D]

Do you guys ever have fans like, like they want to put like a hand on you and just like, oh, be like, oh, my God. I just like they want to put your. Their arm around you or they want to just like.

[C]

Yeah, you just gotta.

[B]

About Humberg. A lady tried to kiss me.

[C]

Oh, yeah. Yes. Yeah, you said that.

[B]

She went up to me and she went like this for. She's walking towards me and she has her phone like she wants a picture and she goes. And I'm like. I was like, okay.

[C]

Like, you're like, I caught it.

[B]

And then this someone else is taking a picture of us and she comes in and she literally it starts doing it to my cheek, like trying to kiss me on the cheek. And I was like, oh, no. And then the security person was like, obviously like, what the hell are you doing? Like, that's insanely some random blading injured. It was so weird.

[C]

Yeah, I believe it.

[D]

Do you guys ever. Do you guys ever get the same. Same fan that comes and takes pictures of you with you and it's. I've had you. You've had 15 photos of me? Like, what?

[C]

Yeah, they have a shrine of you. Creepy, but in their bedroom.

[A]

I think it's more so that they're trying to sell them online. That's always my thing, though. Like, yeah, but I'm, like, making that much money off.

[C]

I know. I'm like, dude, are you really making that much money off of my signature on this? Yeah, Like. Like, my playing card would sell for, like, $5.

[D]

Like, yeah, you're selling.

[C]

Come on.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

I don't know what they're mean.

[A]

I would buy it for 10, but.

[C]

Oh, thanks. Yeah.

[B]

I signed this one picture the other day, and it was so granny. I was like, you don't know who this is?

[C]

Like, it could have been Maddie. Maybe it was Maddie. Maddie.

[B]

Literally, you could not see this picture at all. And she was so, so excited. So, like, obviously, I just sign it. But I was like, that picture quality, ma', am, is like, not it.

[C]

Okay, remember at Disneyland. Sorry, last story.

[D]

Remember at Disneyland when I told you about when we were at Disneyland at dinner and the guy was a big tennis fan, and he was like, oh, my God. You just. Congratulations on ao. Like, oh, my gosh. Like, he was, like, shaking.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[D]

This was when I was with Juju and we took a picture with him, and he was like, oh, my God. Like, like, congrats on Australian Open. And he. And then this is after Juju sign it. So she signed it Geo. And he goes, wow. Oh, my God, I can't believe I met you. Like, oh, my gosh, Congratulations on ao. And we walked out, and Juju was like, oh, my God. I don't think I have the heart to tell him that I'm not Madison Keys. Like, it'll break. And I signed it G O. So I hope, like, I hope he's.

[C]

Not listening to this podcast. Poor guy.

[D]

We'll come back.

[C]

He probably went to sell it online.

[D]

Like, he was so excitedly.

[C]

He made more than $10.

[D]

It was. Wow. That was.

[C]

That was sad, but it was okay. Actually, this could be a good one. From Bridget. B18. 1 8. Bridget. From Bridget, B1. 8. 18. From Bridget. Free 18.

[A]

Wait, this is my question.

[C]

Yes, this is Desiree's question. Desiree, I'm lofting this one up to you. What's your favorite Taylor Swift album?

[D]

Oh, gosh, there's so many. Oh, I don't even know if you guys love to hear this. I know you're not a big T. Swifty fans over there, but my favorite album is reputation and 1989.

[C]

That's two. I can't do we have a favorite? Because I believe Bridget was wondering what your favorite Taylor Swift album was. She didn't say. Can you list your two favorite. She said, what is your favorite?

[D]

This is a lot of sass coming from you. Okay, what's your. It's really hard to pick when there's like a hundred hundreds of songs too.

[B]

On its 1989.

[C]

Oh, gosh. I'm not a Swifty.

[B]

We know. Really a Swifty. But I did love that album. That was honestly my. That one I really like.

[C]

I'm not a Swifty, but I like the one with. I don't even know the names of the albums. Just sing it for us.

[A]

Jenny's thinking about if she's actually gonna sing or not.

[C]

I'm just thinking about how the lyrics go.

[B]

You were just singing one with me like a few weeks ago.

[C]

Really? It's me. Hi.

[D]

Hi.

[C]

That one. What was it like?

[B]

A different one that I didn't think you would know, but it was like, on the radio. Because you listen to the radio and.

[C]

Yeah, I do listen to the radio. That's another hot take.

[D]

Okay, we're sidetracking. So what was.

[C]

Yeah. Lavender Haze. Whichever one that's on.

[D]

Oh, that's a good song. It's overplayed.

[C]

What? Okay, yeah, but what album? What's the album? What's the album that. Lavender Haze.

[D]

Midnight.

[C]

Midnights. Yeah. That's the only album I've listened to.

[A]

I was like a big Swifty when I was younger, but I haven't really, really listened to anything that's not like a hit that makes the radio since I. I was obsessed with Red.

[D]

Oh, great album. 10 minute version. All too well.

[C]

So, dad, what is your.

[B]

What's your answer?

[C]

Yeah, yeah. He said reputation.

[D]

I said reputation. I said reputation. But, like, after I saw her.

[C]

I mean, can you sing me a tune from it?

[D]

Maybe if I had a couple tequila shots in me at the Bangkok Lounge, maybe.

[C]

Oh, okay. Sounds good. Shout out. Bangkok Lounge in Charleston. Oh, what a weekend.

[B]

We will be back there one day.

[C]

Should we do one more? One more? Okay. Okay. From. From Ma, period. Teo 5933. Is that not the same? Mateo Berrettini. Matt, period. Teo 5933. Mateo 5933.

[A]

You didn't read that right that time. It's definitely not Matt, period.

[C]

Teo 5933. What's this?

[B]

Mateo.

[C]

Ma.

[B]

Okay, okay, sorry.

[C]

Okay.

[D]

Sh.

[C]

From Mateo5933. What's the strangest or Funniest experience you've had in a hotel while traveling. I think I win this one.

[A]

You do win this one.

[C]

In the hotel at Cicciorone, in. In Rome, I was sound asleep. Lights out, sleeping like a baby. Next thing you know, it's 3:00am and the light turns on in my room. And I'm like, open my eyes, look up. My eyes are closed. Open my eyes, look up, and there's a man standing there. There's a man standing over me. And I just look at him. He looks at me and I'm like, is this a dream? Like, is this real? And literally I'm like shouting at him.

[A]

What are you doing?

[C]

Get out of my room. Get out of here. Who are you? Get out. Get out. And then I. He. He just leaves. He walks out. And I just roll back over and I'm like. And I'm like, roll back over. And I'm like, wait, what just happened? And so I wake up and I jump out of bed. And I don't know if we can use this or not, but I wasn't wearing bottoms, so I will say I was just wearing a T shirt. I wasn't wearing anything underneath. And so that's why I really felt extra violated. And he walks out. I open. I go put on some shorts. Put on some shorts. And I open the door and I look out the hallway and I don't see anyone. I'm like, oh, my gosh, where did he go? So I call downstairs and I'm like, hi, yeah, I'm in room, blah, blah, blah. And there was just a man in my room. And they go, are you sure? Are you sure you weren't dreaming? And I'm like, no, it wasn't a dream. Like, it was real. Like. And I literally could not fall back asleep. I. I barricaded my door, I put my suitcase, I took the chair, I put the chair and I put my racket on top of the chair in case the door opened. Then if the racket fell, it would wake me up before the person got in the room.

[D]

Wow.

[C]

Wow. No one came back in the room after that. But I will say it was. It was really. I don't think we can top that.

[D]

I don't think we can top that. Yeah, there's been that one.

[B]

Nothing to say.

[D]

Yeah, I've just had, like, random people walk into my room, like, thinking it's their room, and I'm like, what? So they must get the same key. Like, it's weird.

[C]

Yeah. I think he was looking for a time. And I wasn't gonna give it to him.

[D]

Well, the bottoms were off, so wrong room.

[C]

Yeah, he was halfway there.

[D]

He didn't even have to do anything.

[C]

Gosh. From that point on, I sleep with bottoms.

[A]

Thank you everyone for listening to the chaos that is the four of us talking to each other. Please leave us a rating and review. It helps people find out about the podcast. If you want to watch, we also have a players box YouTube page. So head over there and subscribe and comment to, you know, tell us what you think and what you want to see and hear from us. If you want to ask some more questions, we are going to be dropping Q A opportunities on our Instagram and that is at the players box pod on Instagram. So head over there, check things out, let us know what you want to hear. We're definitely going to do a Q and A with Jenny because she's made for it. And you can also email [e-mail].