In a candid and entertaining exchange, Madison Keys didn't hold back when discussing her upcoming match against her podcast co-host Jessica Pegula. Ahead of their much-anticipated round-of-16 showdown, Keys made it clear that she has no intention of consuming Pegula’s peculiar dish—apple pie topped with melted cheddar cheese—if she ends up on the losing side.
"You want me to eat that gross apple pie with cheese if I lose? No way!" she firmly stated.
But what’s behind this unusual culinary suggestion? It’s essential to understand that Keys and Pegula share a friendship that extends beyond the court. Both hailing from Florida, they are not just competitors, but also colleagues who co-host a podcast named The Player’s Box along with fellow tennis professionals Jennifer Brady and Desirae Krawczyk. Their podcast covers a variety of light-hearted topics, from mishaps like forgetting credit cards at restaurants to cultural outings like visiting MJ: The Musical during their time in Melbourne.
As the two prepare to face off on the courts of Melbourne Park, where the winner will advance to the quarter-finals of this year’s tournament, they will momentarily put their camaraderie aside. Both players had impressive wins in the previous rounds; Pegula, seeded sixth, triumphed over Oksana Selekhmeteva with a score of 6-3, 6-2, while Keys defeated Karolina Pliskova with a solid 6-3, 6-3 performance. Both matches concluded by midday, under favorable temperatures hovering around 30 degrees Celsius.
Before their crucial match, the duo plans to record another episode of The Player’s Box, which might be a first for podcast co-hosts competing against each other in a Grand Slam event. "We’re hoping to brainstorm something special to commemorate this unique situation," Keys shared enthusiastically. Of course, they are considering a fun consequence for the loser, but it seems both are united in their aversion to the idea of apple pie topped with cheese.
"That combination is gross," Keys reiterated, further elaborating on Pegula's unconventional taste. "During our Thanksgiving-themed podcast, we discussed our favorite foods and desserts. Jess was adamant about her love for microwaving cheddar cheese on apple pie, declaring it a delicious experience. We were all horrified! Our producer even tried it and exclaimed it was the worst thing ever. I can only imagine the horror of Kraft Singles on top of dessert, but Jess insists on using a good piece of cheddar instead!"
The podcast, launched during the last US Open, aims to give fans a glimpse into the lives of professional tennis players. This upcoming episode carries a unique twist as they navigate their friendship while preparing for the competition ahead.
Historically, Keys holds a slight edge over Pegula, having won their last encounter—a tense three-set match in Adelaide last January, bringing their head-to-head record to 2-1 in favor of Keys.
What can audiences expect from their interaction leading up to the game? "Honestly, we’re not the best at trash talk, so I'm curious how that will unfold," Keys remarked.
Pegula admitted she was surprised to learn they would be playing each other in this tournament after checking the draw. "If we end up recording tomorrow, we might as well promote it as us preparing for our match. Let’s see if we can come up with some funny segments, maybe even some light-hearted trash talk!"
Despite their friendly banter, both players are fiercely competitive. Keys expressed that their friendship doesn’t take away from their desire to win. "We can be laughing and joking right up until we step onto the court. Then it’s all about competing hard for that victory. Once the match is over, it’s back to being friends. That’s one of the beautiful aspects of tennis—it helps us manage relationships while still embracing a competitive spirit."
Keys and Pegula are part of a larger contingent of American players making waves at this year's Australian Open. Notably, World No. 3 Coco Gauff is also in the mix as she competes in the round of 16, alongside No. 4 seed Amanda Anisimova, who secured a straight-set win against fellow American Peyton Stearns in her last match. Additionally, in the men's draw, players Learner Tien and Tommy Paul have advanced to the next round, with No. 8 seed Ben Shelton also moving forward after defeating Monaco's Valentin Vacherot in a tightly contested match.
