'We'll see how that goes': Madison Keys, Jessica Pegula to record podcast together before round-of-16 battle
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Fresh off straight-set wins, Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula head into a round-of-16 clash in Melbourne.
The match-up adds a friendly twist for the American duo, who co-host The Player's Box podcast together, alongside fellow professional women's players Jennifer Brady and Desirae Krawczyk.
On Saturday, Pegula first secured her spot in the fourth round with a 6-3, 6-2 win against Oksana Selekhmeteva on Margaret Court Arena; shortly after, defending champion Keys triumphed 6-3, 6-3 over Karolina Pliskova on Rod Laver Arena.
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Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula are set to record a new episode together before their fourth-round match. Stan
In her on-court interview, Keys revealed her and Pegula would record a podcast episode before their match.
Launched around the 2025 US Open, the podcast offers an unfiltered, behind-the-scenes look at life on the WTA Tour through a female lens — blending stories and match analysis with fan Q&As.
The podcast releases new episodes weekly.
"It's gonna be a tough match," Keys said of playing Pegula.
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"Jess is such a great player. She's always so consistently doing well every single week that she plays, so she's, I mean, she's such a competitor. She is in every single match.
"She's just so gritty, so, you know, it's always gonna be a really tough match.
Madison Keys defeated Jessica Pegula 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 on Australian soil to claim the Adelaide International title last January. Getty
"It also makes it hard, you know, being friends.
"I think we have to film a podcast before we play the match, so we'll see how that goes."
Asked if she is enjoying doing media off the court, Keys described the podcast as a fun way to give fans a glimpse into the players' lives — showing a side of their personalities often hidden by the high-pressure environment of the professional tour.
"It's honestly been so much fun, and it's been really cool just because everyone kind of gets to see more of our personalities, which I know you get glimpses here or there, but it's, you know, when we're finally fully not stressed," she said.
"Just usually talking about the most insane things possible.
"So, I think it's really cool that everyone kind of gets to know us a little bit better, and we get to give them a little bit of an insight into what life on tour actually is like."
Keys and Pegula have met on three occasions, with the former holding a slight 2–1 edge in their head-to-head record.
Facing the prospect of playing Keys, Pegula acknowledged the hurdle her friend presents on the court.
"Madi is someone I know really well," she said.
"She's gotten the better of me over the last couple of matches, so I think it's a good challenge.
"Either way, I have to figure out what I need to do to beat her."
