Mixed fortunes on tour
“I’m back in Florida,” Brady explained. “I was in Charlottesville this past week playing my match and ended up having to retire. I felt a little something, but it’s nothing major, more precautionary. So I’ll probably play not next week, but the week after, and hopefully my protected ranking will get me into French Open qualies.”
Keys, meanwhile, detailed a rough experience that forced her out of action in Madrid. “The night before my match, I went to dinner and didn’t feel amazing. I thought maybe I was just hungry,” she said. “Then the moment all the food came out and I made eye contact with it, I looked at Bjorn and said, ‘I need to leave,’ and I speed-walked back to the hotel. It’s been kind of rough since then, but I’m on the mend. I’m surviving.”
Food poisoning horror stories
The discussion quickly turned to shared experiences of food poisoning on tour. Pegula recalled, “It happened to me about three years ago at the French Open. I got food poisoning at a restaurant. It’s just the worst, there’s nothing you can do in those deep, dark moments.”
Krawczyk added, “No, and it’s coming out both ways. There’s nothing worse. You just have to ride it out.”
Krawczyk also shared her own extreme experience ahead of a career milestone. “The last time I had really bad food poisoning was right before a final in Switzerland, my first WTA final, and I had a 101 fever,” she said. “They told me, ‘You cannot go out and play.’ I got food poisoning from sushi, and I said, ‘I’m playing this final no matter what.’ And luckily, we won. It was the worst, but we won 10–8.”
Madison Keys had issues with food poisoning.
Des planning an Italian escape
After an early exit, Krawczyk is making the most of her schedule. “When you lose early, you can plan an Italian vacay with your boyfriend,” she joked. “I’ll stay in Madrid a few more days training, then a few days on the Amalfi Coast. Not too shabby. I love Italy, so I’ll spend as much time as I can there and then prep for Rome.”
Alcaraz withdrawal sparks debate
The group also discussed Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal from Rome and Roland Garros. “I think it’s his right wrist or forearm, he’s got a cast on it,” Brady said. “He’s so young, it’s not worth risking. He has so long ahead of him and he’s so good.”
Krawczyk agreed, adding, “It’s about longevity. It sucks for the tournaments, though, especially with his rivalry with Sinner.”
Laureus Awards fashion talk
The conversation shifted to off-court style at the Laureus World Sports Awards. “Alex Eala looked so good,” said Keys.
Pegula added, “Her uncle made that dress for her in two days, they designed it and everything. She looked like the princess of the Philippines.”
Krawczyk agreed, “I thought everyone looked great, but she stood out, very chic.”
The value of honest coaching
Reflecting on a recent story about Arthur Fils being told to “shut up” mid-match, the group highlighted the importance of blunt feedback.
“Sometimes you need someone to just clock you and get you back on track,” Pegula said.
Krawczyk shared a similar moment from her own experience, “At the US Open, I was down a break in the third and Max leaned over and yelled, ‘Stop hitting your backhand down the line, hit it crosscourt!’ I said, ‘I’m trying!’ Then I won the match. Sometimes something small just flips a switch.”
Underarm serve controversy
The players were unanimous in dismissing criticism of underarm serves, even on big points.
“Who cares?” Brady said. “The guy is standing 20 feet behind the baseline, why wouldn’t you do it?”
Keys added, “People saying it should be banned is ridiculous. We can’t be that soft as a sport. It’s part of the game.”
Brady also pointed out the difficulty of executing the shot, “It’s actually really hard to hit a good underarm serve. I’d probably miss it, which is why I never try it.”
Swimsuit shoots and future candidates
Finally, the players discussed the idea of appearing in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. “I’d do it,” several of them agreed, albeit with some hesitation about posing.
Looking ahead, Pegula suggested there are plenty of potential candidates on tour. “Honestly, so many players,” she said. “I’m surprised Aryna Sabalenka hasn’t done it yet, she’d crush it.”