Perfect Match?

A lively, bad faith debate in which Michele defends what Bryan calls "Woke 1.0" while he posits that so-called "Dark Woke" can be better for one's tennis fandom. Do we need to broaden our tolerance for players' questionable posts and comments in order to enjoy the sport more?

It's a weird one! But relevant (maybe)!

Also:

• The WTA Finals is out of Saudi Arabia, mercifully
• Meh about the two Sunshine Doubles. What a weird feeling

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This week due to shifting forces in our lives, we home in on the perennial vignette in which one person lashes out at a crowd that stares on in horror. But who among us hasn't wanted to just flip off everyone around them and storm out forever(ish)?

Also,

• Carlos Alcaraz announces on court in Spanish "I'm can't anymore!" to his team. What's going on with him?
• LIveNation antitrust suit is dropped by the Feds (presumably corruption), but is kept alive by the states
• Wimbledon expansion appears to be a go, angering local activists (who are perhaps disingenuous?)

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The Indian Wells tournament is upon us, as is the tenth anniversary of your hosts bumping into one another at the tourament, encountering an implausible series of rom-com meet-cutes, and somehow staying together for all these years. To commemorate, we dive into the ennui surrounding MAGA enthusiast Larry Ellison owning the Tournament and his looming presence over the media landscape in America (but it's also kind of funny!)

Also:

• The Iran war traps players in the U.A.E.
• Sabalenka's big engagement brouhaha
• Ticketmaster could be broken up? Please please pretty please?

Send us your hot takes at [email protected]

As always tell your friends, rate this podcast in your app, and send us feedback at https://www.perfectmatchpodcast.com/

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Professional tennis players are some of the least represented athletes in professional sports. From the grueling schedule to the relatively low share of revenue, even down to the type of balls used in tournaments, the players have little to no say in decisions that affect their lives and health immensely. This week, we break down the issue and ponder if there is any reason to hope that things will get better for them.

Also:

• PICKLEBRAWL at a Florida country club
• Coco Gauff speaks truth to power once again
• No Carne Asada (or any other meat) at the Mexican Open

Send us your hot takes at [email protected]

As always tell your friends, rate this podcast in your app, and send us feedback at https://www.perfectmatchpodcast.com/

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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 soon
• Is Serena coming back to professional tennis for real? (She's coming back for real)

Send us your hot takes at [email protected]

As always tell your friends, rate this podcast in your app, and send us feedback at https://www.perfectmatchpodcast.com/

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In 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?

Send us your hot takes at [email protected]

As always tell your friends, rate this podcast in your app, and send us feedback at https://www.perfectmatchpodcast.com/

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The 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.

Send us your hot takes at [email protected]

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Carlos 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 outfit
• Ukrainian player Oleksandra Oliynykova calls out pro-Putin players as "dangerous"

It's Grand Slam time! Enjoy the AO!

Send us your hot takes at [email protected]

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While 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 boot
• Heated Rivalry and our favorite (and only) out gay male player
• The "1 Point Slam"
• That weird Tennis Kenya match where one player had apparently never played tennis?
• and finally...play tennis, live forever!

Send us your hot takes at [email protected]

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Happy 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?

Send us your hot takes at [email protected]

As always tell your friends, rate this podcast in your app, and send us feedback at https://www.perfectmatchpodcast.com/

You can also follow us on Bluesky at @perfectmatchpodcast.com or @shellsteak

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.