Pod Laver Arena

Podcasting from deep within the bowels of Tennis HQ, Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) and Sam (@samtaunton) - resplendent in their finery - talk absolute garbage about the epic event that is, the Australian Open. It's funny garbage, though. The lads analyse Sabalenka and Svitolina's non-handshake, the GruntGate controversy, and make a bold prediction about the amount of foot blisters Novak Djokovic will end up with. Oh, and Sam delivers...

Every day we turn up and, to our amazement, our passes still work. It's only a matter of time before we're turned away, possibly by Wally Masur himself. In this scintillating and erotic new episode, Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) and blow-in host Sam Taunton (@samtaunton) trade barbs and Australian Open observations. You'll hear them say things like — but not limited to — 'Golly gosh, Lorenzo Musetti had his heart ripped o...

Off the back of Alex de Minaur’s loss to Carlos Alcaraz, it is officially a dark day for Australian tennis and yes, the vibes inside the studio are appropriately grim. But fear not. Sam (@samtaunton) arrives armed with a bold, possibly unhinged new plan guaranteed to turn the fortunes of Australian tennis around forever. Probably. On top of his world-class t...

After Madison Keys lost her bet with Jessica Pegula, the tennis world has been left asking one question: is apple pie and cheese actually as cursed as it sounds? In a bold act of podcast-on-podcast solidarity, fearless hosts Mike and Sam step up to answer it once and for all. The results will shock you. Possibly emotionally, definitely spiritually. Maddy Inglis reveals what she plans to spend her big pay cheque on. Spoiler: it&rsqu...

When you get a message saying Craig Tiley is coming into the studio, it usually means one of two things, you’ve either been absolutely flying or you’ve messed up badly. There is no middle ground. If he’s here to fire us, at least Lizzy (@lizzyhoo) won’t mind because yes, this is her final day on the pod. A devastating day for Pod Laver Arena. But with tragedy comes...

It’s a sad day, everyone. Stan Wawrinka’s glorious run has come to an end and no, we’re not crying, you are. To honour the great man, we crack a few cold (lukewarm) ones and reminisce about the good old days. We dive headfirst into all the drama from the last 24 hours, including Jannik Sinner’s case of the cramps, Novak Djokovic’s very close call, and Naomi Osaka’s big announc...

Love is officially in the air at the Australian Open and shockingly it is not just Lizzy’s (@lizzyhoo) Raya account. Speaking of Lizzy, we drop a massive announcement about her future with the show. Brace yourselves, hearts will be broken. Despite being a little under the weather, Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) soldiers on and delivers the kind of totally hard hitting, deeply serious, stats-heavy analysis you have come...

Tennis beef is very much in vogue and frankly we want a slice. Our first target, Andy Roddick, we’re coming for you and your podcast. On today’s episode, our fearless hosts Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) and Lizzy (@lizzyhoo) dive into all the chaos from Day 5 of the AO, Stan the Man’s epic five set win and we expose the biggest liar on the tour. As a little cherry on top of the cake that is this podca...

Finally, the debate that’s been tearing the tennis world apart is settled. What actually dries a wet court faster, 10 ball kids armed with towels or one futuristic drying machine?  The answer will shock you. Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) has gone far too deep on Google and uncovered a truly explosive revelation about Andrey Rublev, Lizzy (@lizzyhoo) bravely fronts the nation to address the ongoing tracksuit speculation, an...

The Osaka dress broke the internet. Naturally, we responded the only way that made sense and brought in our very own fashion correspondent, Liza West, to unpack what it means to be Naomi Osaka. Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) may have taken this a little too seriously … we’ll let you decide. Lizzy (@lizzyhoo) lifts the lid on the shadowy “Special K” opponent strategy ahead of their next match. As if t...

When will Lizzy learn that it's a tennis 'match', not a 'game'? I hate when she does that. Anyway, this episode will blow your ears clean off. We speak to the uber cool Canadian turbo-hunk, Felix Auger Aliassime, Mike drops the stunning revelation that he was once in a marching band, and the 'Lizzy Checks her Raya Account' segment will prove to be one of the saddest moments in podcasting history. Also, we analyse the merits of buyi...

It's all fireworks here! Lizzy and Mike come to terms with some scathing feedback from Janice as they dissect the best and brightest and downright funniest stuff from Day 1's play. We interview the recently eliminated Marta Kostyuk (and make her sing, which is weird), and Lizzy drops the bombshell claim she could easily defeat a 63-year-old in a Brazilian ju-jitsu bout. Also, there's an absolute belter edition of Watch Watch. You s...

The Pod gets a visit from the funny-as-hell Daria Kasatkina; a terrific tennis player who is now Aussie as! Staying with the theme of stealing the best international players, Lizzy (@lizzyhoo) ponders what the world would have been like if Roger Federer had been Australian (HINT: it would have been awesome). And Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) reveals a game you can play at the Australian Open that is frankly genius. Yes, it involves d...

Fridgey and The Bear are back as they tackle big topics like Frances Tiafoe's oversized drink bottle, and the correct pronunciation of Andre Agassi's name, all while recovering from a serious case of 'bench itch' (with no soothing cream in sight). We also learn you can't be racist towards Italians, which is a relief. Plus Mike and Lizzy get busy with special guest, Aryna Sabalenka! WE ALL HAD GREAT FUN.

Listen to The AO Wrap...

What happens when our hosts Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) and Lizzy (@lizzyhoo) spend the entire day interviewing just about every single tennis player in the world? We get tired, sloppy and frankly a little bit narky. Step into the swanky padded cube that is Pod Laver Arena to find out our red-hot thoughts on the Aus Open draw, tennis players' watches and witness the birth of a new poorly-thought segment, 'Would You Rafter?' Also, w...

Attention perverts! Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) and Lizzy (@lizzyhoo) reveal what atrocities they've seen in the players' gym at the Australian Open, Lizzy openly fantasises about a dream date with Roger Federer, and we analyse the Basavareddy/Ofner 'choking' incident with infra-red Hot Spot technology that we stole from the cricket. Also, the talented and handsome (and now rich) winner of the Million Dollar One Point Slam, Jordan ...

Hosts Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) and Lizzy (@lizzyhoo) take part in the Australian Open's $1 Million Dollar 1 Point Slam! Try to guess which pro Mike beats! HINT: It could be Novak Djokovic. Or that Zverev guy. Or Martina Navratilova's hologram. Anyway they said if they win they will give all the money to you! Also there is a significant amount of Dave Hughes bashing in this ep, which is very en vogue and feels totally right. You'...

In the early stages of the pod, Mike's brain implodes when he tries to say 'accreditation'. Luckily for him (and you, the listener) it reassembles and not only does he say the word, he says heaps more, including a savage tirade about comedian, Dave Hughes. Lizzy pricks up the ears of the DailyMail by rubbishing Aussie chants. And we get a visit from an ultra hip guest and tennis fashion content creator in the cool-as-hell Eliza Wes...

Hosts Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) and Lizzy (@lizzyhoo) step into Pod Laver Arena for the first time. The air is thick, and the floor is wet and sticky, as Mike dropped a Fanta in rehearsal. Today we learn about our hosts and get a general overview of whatever fresh hell this podcast is. There's tennis news (with jokes), a grunting game (with jokes), and Lizzy drops the brand new podlaver@tennis.com.au email address in a manner she...