Podcast First, Racquets Next: Co-Hosts Keys, Pegula Set For Grand Slam History At AO26

Last Updated:January 25, 2026, 19:30 IST

Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula, co-hosts of The Player’s Box podcast, will make Grand Slam history as they face off in the Australian Open fourth round in Melbourne.

Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula at the Australian Open (AP)

Podcast mics first. Racquets next. History either way.

Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula have a fourth-round showdown at the Australian Open coming up — but before they step onto court, they’ve got a podcast episode to record.

Yes, you read that right.

The two close friends and co-hosts of The Player’s Box podcast are set to make history when they face off in Melbourne, and Keys is already having fun with the moment.

“This is going to be the first match in Grand Slam history between two podcast co-hosts," Keys said. “It’s a very niche headline."

Both Americans cruised into the last 16 on Saturday. Defending champion Keys brushed aside Karolina Pliskova 6-3, 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena, while sixth seed Pegula eased past Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-3, 6-2 at Margaret Court Arena.

But tennis isn’t the only thing on their minds.

“We are filming tomorrow," Keys confirmed, referring to their podcast. “We’re both going to try to think of something to kind of commemorate this moment."

Pegula, never one to miss a joke, hinted at some pre-match spice.

“We’ll see what kind of segments we can come up with," she laughed. “It could be a trash talk segment before we play."

The duo have even floated the idea of forfeits for the loser — although negotiations are ongoing.

“She wants to make me eat her disgusting apple pie with cheese on top of it if I lose," Keys said. “Which I said I refuse, so she’s going to have to think of something else."

Despite the fun and games, neither expects the friendship to blur the competitive edge once the match begins.

“We could literally be friends and laughing until the moment we walk on the court," Keys explained. “Then in that moment, we both want to win. The moment it’s over, you’re back to being friends."

News sports tennis Podcast First, Racquets Next: Co-Hosts Keys, Pegula Set For Grand Slam History At AO26

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