The Player's Box

Episode: US Open Highlights, Celeb Encounters, and Tough Moments
Date: August 26, 2025
Hosts: Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula, Jennifer Brady, Desirae Krawczyk

Overview

This lively and candid episode brings listeners behind the scenes at the US Open, shining light on everything from quirky sleep schedules and favorite on-court outfits to celebrity sightings and navigating tough moments in tennis. Madison, Jess, Jenny, and Des share honest, personal stories (often with plenty of laughs) about what it really means to play a home Grand Slam. The players mix personal anecdotes, tennis insights, pop culture asides, and listener Q&As for an honest courtside experience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Playing Night Matches: The Sleep Struggle is Real

• The Challenge of Scheduling

  • US Open night matches—especially "second on"—wreak havoc on players’ routines, often finishing past 1 or 2am.
  • Madison Keys: “I have like two of the top five [latest US Open finishes in women’s history] and I think I fit it. Legitimately like 2am.” (02:51)
  • That adrenaline can keep players up until 4-5am, and a late finish compresses recovery time before the next round.

• Crowd Energy at Midnight

  • “The crowd that stays when you’re like super, super late and it’s past midnight is like the most fun crowd you’ll ever play in front of…” — Madison (01:18)
  • The fans get moved closer and it becomes rowdy in a good way.

• Preparing for Late Matches

  • Jennifer Brady: “Every time I play a night match, I do like a double shot of espresso right before I go on.” (01:57)
  • Players share tips for navigating whacked sleep schedules; coffee and energy are essential.

Match Scheduling & Requests

• Requesting Times—Success Rate is Low

  • Players can request days/times, but usually these are not granted due to TV and logistical constraints.
  • Jess Pegula: “Every time I've requested, it’s like, hey, can I play on Wednesday? I’m scheduled for Tuesday.” (07:47)

• Singles vs. Doubles Scheduling Frustrations

  • New: Doubles players are now told in advance which days they play, making planning easier, but singles/doubles overlap creates headaches.
  • “...with me and Coco when we were winning every singles and doubles match...it was insane. They could not schedule it.”—Desirae (11:35)

The US Open Atmosphere: Electric but Intense

• Flushing Meadows Vibe

  • The buzz—especially during night matches or when big-name men’s players play—can be so loud it’s white noise.
  • Jenny Brady: “It's like a constant chatter noise...like a sound machine. It never turns off.” (07:01)

• Which is Better: Noise or Silence?

  • Most prefer the background hum to dead silence; it helps with focus and nerves.

• Fan Engagement & Entertainment Value

  • Discussion on whether more engagement (like walk-on music, interactive moments) would help or hurt the sport’s atmosphere.
  • Mascot confusion: Jokes about whether the US Open has a mascot. “That’s the first time I’m hearing it.” —Jess (14:00)

Celebrity Encounters

• Starspotting as a Distraction
  • Players spot stars like David Beckham, Jason Sudeikis, Jonas Brothers, and Simone Biles.
  • Madison: "I can't look again because now I'm nervous...I know things in the crowd." (16:22)
  • Sometimes looking up and making eye contact in a tough moment is "the worst feeling." (17:02)

Watching Replays on Big Screens

• Some players rewatch cool points on the stadium jumbotron, but others avoid looking altogether to stay focused.
• Desirae: “If it’s a sick point…I’m like hell yeah, let’s watch the screen. And then I’m like oh, it actually wasn’t that cool.” (17:49)

Pre-Match Routines: Focus vs. Chill

• Desirae: “I try to lock in and I feel more unlocked. I’m already so laid back that I don’t need to channel it.” (19:10)
• Some find texting friends helps maintain calm, while others feel the need to actively “lock in.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Sleep Deprivation:
  Madison: “You’re ruined for a couple days at least. Second night match, you’re ruined.” (02:26)

• On TV and Scheduling Politics:
  Jess: “They also say, ‘Oh no, it’s for TV. We need you for this.’ …No one’s even watching me.” (08:50)

• On Playing Before Rafa:
  Madison: “Not a single person cared about my tennis match. And it was the loudest stadium I’ve ever played in because no one was paying attention.” (06:18)

• On Historic US Open Outfits:

  • The Serena Williams denim skirt and iconic black catsuit are universally worshiped.
    • “I went out and bought a Nike denim skirt and I wore it to practice the next week.” —Madison (22:06)
    • “Could you imagine…she comes around the corner in [the catsuit]? That is my favorite US Open outfit of all time.” —Desirae (24:38)
  • Other shoutouts: Maria Sharapova’s “little black dress” (22:58), Serena’s tutu and Swarovski crystal looks.

Tough Moments: Candid Losses and Support

• Madison shares losing the US Open final in 47 minutes:
  • “I just sat on the ground and started sobbing…[then] got back out there. Then someone pulls me into…presidential suite area…and it’s Emma Stone. She’s like, ‘You did amazing,’ and I was like, ‘No, I didn’t.’ Immediately started crying again.” (30:24)
• Desirae’s Heineken Press Conference:
  • After a tough loss and doping delay: “I just went to press with the beer. And then that became a whole thing…" (33:43)

Learning to Embrace the Atmosphere & Fans

• On Arthur Ashe’s intimidating court away from home:

  • Jenny: “I would toss a ball up and lose it in the stands. The court felt twice the size I had to cover and half the size to hit into.” (36:36)

• On seeing the same loyal fans each year:

  • Madison: “There’s a few that I give tickets to every year or we take a picture every single year…I see a familiar face and I’m like, oh, it’s you again.” (56:18)
  • “They just want the best for you…So invested.” —Jess (60:49)
  • Desirae: “It’s wild to me. Sometimes you realize there’s a lot of really good ones who really want you to win and don’t care if you lose.” (62:32)

Pop Culture & Off-Court Life

• Hard Knocks & NFL Fandom
  • Jess discusses her “borderline obsession” with Josh Allen and needing to go to a Bills game.
  • Jess: “Everyone knows I’m a huge Josh Allen fan. Maybe on the borderline of obsession.” (39:37)
• Food Hot Takes
  • The "blue cheese or ranch" debate for wings divides the group, with regional pride for Buffalo blue cheese.

Music at Matches: Could Players Pick Their Songs?

• Desiree: “Each player should give a list...So, instead of the final countdown when you're down a break, you get something you actually vibe to.” (44:17)
• Jenny: “We usually just hear...sing-along songs.” (45:20)
• The Infamous “Cotton Eye Joe” Incident:
  • Jenny recounts how the song in a Toronto tiebreak became a viral moment:
  • “Someone lost a bet and some intern up in the AV…was just like, haha.” (47:46)

Fan Q&A Highlights

• If you could add a fifth Slam, where?

  • Jess: Cincinnati, citing the new facility and “nicer than every other tournament on tour.” (50:34)
  • Madison: Hawaii, “End of year, vacation day after, straight into vacation.” (51:31)
  • Desirae: Japan/Tokyo for the cultural experience. (52:13)

• What's the best part of travel (besides seeing new countries)?

  • The group unanimously: “Food!” — and the friendships and returning to familiar faces on tour.
  • Jenny: “For me, being out injured for two years, the thing I miss the most besides food is…the chaos and the shit that goes on, just being able to hang out with everyone.” (54:20)
  • Madison: “It's kind of fun...you see the same fans every year and it becomes a cool thing.” (56:18)
  • Jess: “It’s so nice…Like, my kids look up to you, thank you for being a role model.” (61:47)

Memorable Timestamps

• 01:18 – The "fun" of playing at 1am in front of a wild crowd.
• 06:18 – Playing a night match before Rafael Nadal: “No one cared about my match.”
• 14:00 – Mascot confusion and comedic detour.
• 16:22 – Maddie’s David Beckham sighting shakes her composure.
• 22:06 – Madison’s denim-skirt Serena tribute.
• 24:38 – The intimidation factor of Serena’s catsuit.
• 30:24 – Madison recounts sobbing after US Open final, tequila shot, and meeting Emma Stone.
• 33:43 – Jenny’s press conference with a Heineken after defeat.
• 36:36 – Jenny’s disorientation in Arthur Ashe stadium.
• 44:17 – The debate over player-chosen walk-on music and Trinity Rodman’s viral take.
• 47:46 – Jenny’s “Cotton Eye Joe” match interruption conspiracy theory.
• 50:34 – Cincinnati, Hawaii, and Tokyo suggested as dream Slam locations.
• 54:20 – The ups and downs of tour friendships and missing the chaos when injured.
• 56:18 – The comfort of seeing the same fans each year.

Tone and Language

• Conversational, spontaneous, and full of friendly teasing and humor.
• The hosts are honest about insecurities, failures, and odd experiences, but always imbue stories with positivity and camaraderie.

SUMMARY

This episode of The Player’s Box paints a vivid, genuine portrait of tennis life behind the baseline, especially during the US Open. The women open up about late nights, the emotional rollercoaster of competition, fashion that shapes memories, brushes with fame and fandom, and the importance of little comforts and community on tour. Sometimes the moments off the court—espresso shots at midnight, tequila after heartbreak, debating ranch versus blue cheese—are just as lasting as career highs under stadium lights.