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?

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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 perfectmatchpodcast@gmail.com

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

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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 perfectmatchpodcast@gmail.com

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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 perfectmatchpodcast@gmail.com

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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 perfectmatchpodcast@gmail.com

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

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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 perfectmatchpodcast@gmail.com

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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!

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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 meth
• Nick Kyrgios is de-bro'd by Andy Murray

Send us your hot takes at perfectmatchpodcast@gmail.com

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

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