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Should the Women Play Longer Matches in Slams?
33:57|There's long been an argument in tennis against women receiving equal pay that it's because they don't play full Best of Five matches in the Grand Slams. It's a weak and weird argument because outside of the Slams, everyone plays Best of Three, and some of those tournaments *still* don't have equal pay. Regardless, Australian Open CEO Craig Tiley wants to change all this. He's pushing for the women to play those long matches at the AO and beyond. Is it a good idea? Will it happen? Does Bryan have a wholly unworkable alternative? Listen and find out!Also,Brad Gilbert didn't like Bad Bunny's Halftime performance and thought they should have had some "Bay area rock instead"Two new "Heated Rivalry"-style gay tennis romance novels are coming out soonIs Serena coming back to professional tennis for real? (She's coming back for real)
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5. Is A Little Bit of Lying Okay?
36:17||Season 3, Ep. 5In which we draw the line between a "lie" and a "lie-lie".We all lie! Whether it's your "colonoscopy appointment" on the day of your sister's "baby shower", or "does a hangover qualify as a 'sick day'?", we all lie at least once in our life. What kinds of lies are okay? Who gets to decide? What does it matter?Also:There were too many cameras at the Australian Open! Enough with all the cameras!Slam trophies for coaches is new and a bit weird and cringe?
4. The Australian Open's Safety Culture Problem
28:25||Season 3, Ep. 4The Aussie Open closes the roof when their bespoke heat index level reaches 5. The AO knows beforehand exactly when this index will reach 5 because we all know this, because we all have a weather app on our phones. Is it antithetical to their "Safety Culture" that they don't close the roof when they know it's going to be too hot? And what is this "Safety Culture" anyway? It's probably not what you think!Also:Juan Carlos Ferrero doesn't need to coach Alcaraz anymore, because he's coaching...a golfer?Defector's Owen Lewis asks American players how they feel about their country right now, and some players start singing "Mary Had a LIttle Lamb" with their fingers in their ears.
3. Adios! Alcaraz' Split With His Coach Seems Permanent
34:18||Season 3, Ep. 3Carlos Alcaraz is playing his first matches on tour without the help of his only coach since childhood, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and we are all wondering how this will go. What we aren't wondering anymore is if Juan Carlos will be coming back. We don't usually talk about who is coaching which player (because it's insider-y and kind of boring), but this coaching relationship is unlike anything we've ever seen in tennis, and we have thoughts.Also:The new "ESPN Unlimited" option/paywall is confusing and more expensive for many of us (but also good for some people?)The Australian Open is getting as crowded as the U.S. Open ☹️Naomi Osaka's crazy umbrella/veil/wedding dress outfitUkrainian player Oleksandra Oliynykova calls out pro-Putin players as "dangerous"It's Grand Slam time! Enjoy the AO!
2. Do You Come From a Land Down Under?
44:47||Season 3, Ep. 2While the temperature plunges here in the Northeast US, it's high summer Down Under, and how we wish we were there. But due to the miracle of low-cost audio equipment and free podcast hosting, we can at least talk about the Australian Open on the internet. So, that's something!Roger Federer's return to tennis! (in an exhibition doubles match)ESPN gave Brad and Pammy the bootHeated Rivalry and our favorite (and only) out gay male playerThe "1 Point Slam"That weird Tennis Kenya match where one player had apparently never played tennis?and finally...play tennis, live forever!
1. Michele's 2026 Tennis Predictions
35:39||Season 3, Ep. 1Happy New Year! Wait, it's too late to say "Happy New Year", everyone stop saying "Happy New Year". But it's Tennis New Year here in the run-up to the Australian Open, and Michele has predictions for 2026:How long will Venus Williams play (and how long will the sun continue to shine)?Will Serena return to tennis?Nick Kyrgios' dumb podcast, Nadal's hair, Djokovic's final tournament, Carlitos' coach and more!Plus: who will enter our respective tennis fandom polycules this year? Will they hold together?
40. 2025 Wrap Up: Good Riddance 2025!
34:26||Season 2, Ep. 40Let's face it: 2025 sucked. Life got measurably worse for most people in the world who are not billionaires (although life got measurably better for them, so there's that). But within this swirling sewer of a year, we dug up some memories that reminded us why we need tennis in our lives and why we need to podcast about it.Enjoy these highlights from this past season, and thank you, dear listener for your continued support, and all of the kind words and feedback you've given us 🎾🍸♥️