We braved connecting flights, "gate checked" bags and a literal desert storm to bring you this postcard from our trip to "Tennis Paradise", the 2025 Indian Wells Open in the California's Coachella Valley. Follow us to the bars, the tournament, the condo and the jacuzzi, as we recap our annual trip, warts and all!

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The Indian Wells BNP Paribas Masters 1000 is the largest and most important tennis tournament that's not a Grand Slam. All the tennis stars will be there, as will we!

But before we hop on the plane, we wanted to talk about Coachella Valley's settler colonialist history, as well as the Ignominious Incident in 2001 involving the Williams sisters, old white people and racism that led to Venus and Serena boycotting the tournament for 14 years. It was bad!

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Non-tennis people are often shocked when they discover that tennis requires fans to be quiet (like silent) once or twice a minute in a stadium full of fans. It is kind of weird!

This prompt takes from the origins of "court tennis" in the 16th Century to the 80's trash comedy "Blame It on Rio". Enjoy!

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tack·y

/ˈtakē/

adjective informal

adjective: tacky; comparative adjective: tackier; superlative adjective: tackiest

1. showing poor taste and quality.

Tennis has never been immune from tackiness (although we like to think, smugly, that tennis is a more elevated sport), but lately there's been some tacky shit going on. From the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders doing a routine at the Dallas Open, to On's candy-colored kits they are foisting on their players, to even the weird rituals tennis has developed involving random children, it's all in poor taste!

Today, we identify the offenses and offenders, so that tomorrow, we may see justice.

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Professional tennis is an epic tale of heroes and villains, but there are a number of players who just play really good tennis. Is it their job to entertain us? Is it our job to care about them if they don't?

In this one, we praise the Alcarazes and the Federers, disparage the Krygioses and the Collinses, and ponder the impact of the boring ones at the top.

Is it a crisis for professional tennis that some of the current top players (Fritz, Sinner, Swiatek and Rybakina) are kind of boring?

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In which we unpack various tennis players' thoughts about and experiences with therapy, whether it be "sports therapy" or just plain old therapy therapy. Bryan brings a unique perspective as someone who has been on and off the couch (mostly on) for the last 30 years or so, and Michele, a therapy virgin, threatens Bryan with couples therapy. All very healthy, respectful and empathetic.

And you, listener, can read between the lines and send us your diagnosis through the feedback form on our website.

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There was magic at the Australian Open this year, with American Madison Keys winning her first Grand Slam after 15 years on tour, powering through Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka (Nos. 2 and 1, respectively). Wow!

Also, another unnecessary Novak Djokovic controversy (he's basically right this time but still annoying?) and Alexander Zverev gets heckled before his runner-up speech for those abuse allegations we were all supposed to have forgotten about by now.

All this and and a new improved audio setup for your earbuds to enjoy.

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During this Australian Open/Sunset of Democracy, we are being bombarded with false narratives and memory erasing. In tennis, we are currently getting "Madison Keys is playing better because she's married now", and "Novak Djokovic was treated so unfairly when he tried to enter Australia" (under false pretenses). And regarding our perennial (dis)favorite Danielle Collins, the story is "Danielle's gonna Danielle! Gotta love it!"

Fight for the truth!

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

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