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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/ You can also follow us on Bluesky at @perfectmatchpodcast.com or @shellsteak and YouTube at @PerfectMatchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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] 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 and YouTube at @PerfectMatchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 outfitUkrainian 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] 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 and YouTube at @PerfectMatchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 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! 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 and YouTube at @PerfectMatchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 and YouTube at @PerfectMatchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let'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 🎾🍸♥️ 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 and YouTube at @PerfectMatchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s spooooooky season, and for our final episode of the year we are summoning the ghouls and goblins of tennis and counting down the scariest trends we are seeing. What evil lurks on the tennis courts of the world? In the stadia and tennis villages, from the hard courts of Melbourne to the grass courts of Wimbledon and beyond? 👹 Higher ticket prices? 👻 Novak Djokovic hangs around? 👿 A Saudi Slam? 😨 Coco Gauff's Serve Woes Continue? And more! 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 and YouTube at @PerfectMatchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, we dive into the 2nd edition of the Six Kings Slam. On the same day that millions of people rallied around the world in the No Kings protests to defy Trump and defend democracy, the final match of the tennis exhibition “The Six Kings Slam” was played in Saudi Arabia between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Was the exhibition tacky and tone deaf? Yes. Was it entertaining? No. Was it good for tennis? Absolutely not. Also: A Portuguese player gets busted for crystal methNick Kyrgios is de-bro'd by Andy MurraySend 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 and YouTube at @PerfectMatchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This one we recorded in March when we were all fairly new to this political reality. Since then, we've see politics become a taboo subject, and supporting any form of liberalism feels almost risky. But f**k it, we have to talk about politics and take a stand. This is our take on several current and former top players. 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 and YouTube at @PerfectMatchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Proper sleep impacts every aspect of one's life. For tennis players – and athletes in general – it’s a relatively new insight. Only in the last 20 years have experts and players realized just how much sleep can affect performance. Even the smallest adjustment can help a player reach peak performance. This week, we dig into the details of top players and their sleep habits. Roger Federer: 12 hours a night! Pete Sampras needs freshly pressed sheets. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz get a LOT of sleep. Also: The Court Speed Conspiracy Theory, hatched by...Roger Federer?The Asian swing is running out of gasMichele's perfect sleeping habits and Bryan's highly disordered routine 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 and YouTube at @PerfectMatchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are not a podcast that assesses the pricing and collectibility of Labubu dolls. We are not a companion podcast to the hit TLC series "Sister Wives". We are not a MAGA podcast that aims to take down and take out the woke left. We are a podcast that discusses the culture through the lens of tennis (and sometimes our relationship). Weekly for the entire tennis season. Short: about 30 minutes per episode. Unafraid: we talk a lot of shit. Check it out! 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 and YouTube at @PerfectMatchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we have all heard, Jimmy Kimmel Live! was suspended at the behest of the Trump administration, then reinstated after an enormous public outcry. What is less discussed is the influence of the two main networks that own many of the local ABC affiliate stations, Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcast Group, the latter of which owns…The Tennis Channel. Prior to ABC’s blanket suspension of the show, both networks were blocking Jimmy Kimmel Live! on their local stations, because they are right-wing, Pro-Trump organizations. What's a tennis fan to do? Cancel your Tennis Channel account? Boycott their advertisers? There aren't a lot of good options here, but we can and must keep speaking out. As Jamelle Bouie put it, "Stand up...and say no." Also: Carlos Alcaraz doesn't know what "Meta Glasses" areTaylor Townsend screwed up on social mediaAnti-Asian racism in tennis isn't all that uncommon It's a dark time. Keep the faith. 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 and YouTube at @PerfectMatchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Serena Willams' recent announcement that she takes a GLP-1 (and that she is the global spokeswoman for the online drug compounder Ro), these drugs are more visible and talked about than ever before. While they are a miracle for some, Michele has questions. Bryan mostly stays out of the way but then reveals his own journey losing, gaining and maintaining his weight. Also: 2025 US Open TV ratings were impressiveSaudi Arabia is showering money on top male players again this year for their "Six Kings Slam" eventNovak Djokovic is displeased with Serbia and moving to GreeceNick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka will play in the Naomi Osaka-produced "Battle of the Sexes Redux" (is this necessary? no)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 and YouTube at @PerfectMatchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year, has concluded. While always outsize among slams in its sheer lunacy, this is 2025, and boy did the US Open deliver! Today we countdown the worst people and the best people the last 3 weeks has presented us. God help us all. 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 and YouTube at @PerfectMatchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's not easy putting together a tennis podcast episode when something completely bonkers is happening at the US Open every day. Oh, you thought Medvedev's mimicking a b*****b on national TV was bad? Haha, welcome to 2025. Is it New York and all its weed that makes this tournament crazy? Is it this particularly special moment in American politics? Or is it just the American Berserk? You can 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 and YouTube at @PerfectMatchPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.