Pod Laver Arena

Tennis Australia

What happens when tennis and fun collide at high speeds? The answer is: Pod Laver Arena. It’s tennis news, hot gossip and a bevy of unforced errors, hosted by comedians Mike Goldstein and Lizzy Hoo.

We chat to the world’s best players, explore the AO with an ‘all access pass’, and probably get into shouting matches with fans. So talc up your thighs and charge into the net, this is Pod Laver Arena! Putting the ‘fun’ in tennis ‘fundamentals’… or something.

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29 episodes
weekly
Avg 43 min
English

Episodes 29

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S1 · E56
Yesterday · 33 min
A BANANA FOR EALA
In this episode, Mike freely admits to dropping Alex Eala's name at a Filipino wedding to win people over and Lizzy sees the milky beauty in Mordan Riddle's perfume bottle. Andre Agassi reminds everyone why he is still the tennis world's favourite drunk uncle, Andrey Rublev turns on the charm for his Chinese fans, and Andre The Giant didn't play tennis but if he did, I bet he'd be hard to pass at the net. This is Pod Laver Arena, and we hope you like it. Stay fresh. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E55
September 23 · 29 min
ALEX EALA'S WANDERING DAD
Lizzy is back and falls into line immediately. She and Mike discuss how Andy Murray has sewn up the lucrative shortbread market and reminisce about the time Alex Eala's dad came into the PLA studio just to have a 'sticky beak'. Against all odds, they hit on a winning formula for a new themed Australian Open cocktail, and they trial a bold new segment called Game, Set, Hats! It was actually passable! And you can't ask for anything more than that. Download it and shove it in your ears. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E54
September 17 · 1 hr 1 min
SAUSAGE ZVEREV SLIPS UP
As Alexander Zverev lifts high the US Open trophy, our hosts Mike and Sam call him out on a few things like: Why didn't he know he'd won? Why did he give away his gameplan secrets in the presser? And why did someone refer to him as 'Sausage'? They also lament the loss of oversized novelty cheques - remember those?! It's tennis chat, with several code violations. This is Pod Laver Arena. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E53
September 10 · 46 min
TEARS FOR TIAFOE
Grand Slam tennis has finally its toll on perennial hardman Mike Goldstein, as he admits that Frances Tiafoe and the US Open have reduced him to a blubbering mess. Today, he's joined by crooner and cocktail aficionado Oliver Clark, who's also on the verge of tears but for very different, very personal reasons. The pair talk about how this year's US Open is capturing hearts with a robust display of on-court play and how it's also raising eyebrows with an equally robust display of drinking and weed-smoking from rowdy but loveable fans. Sports, man! AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E52
September 3 · 51 min
NOVAK vs FATHER TIME
The US Open is underway, but that's nothing compared to the news that... MIKE IS IN THE NOVAK DJOKOVIC 'The Wolf in Winter' DOCUMENTARY (albeit for 3-4 seconds)! Which means he's now an Amazon Prime star, which means he's now in the running to be the next 007, obviously. Also, tennis chat includes but is not limited to subjects such as: gee it's great have Carlos Alcaraz back and to see his nipples, gee it's great to see Aryna Sabalenka getting salty at a journalist, and why oh why is the US Open selling six nuggets for $100 and CAN I HAVE SOME?! AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E51
August 26 · 40 min
RAFA JODAR & THE ABOMINABLE GARBAGE GRAVY
Tennis tragic Mike and baseline brawler Sam rip into all the news and shocking moments from the tennis-sphere, with erotic results. Is global warming affecting Novak's current fitness? Rather than entering official tournaments, would a nice WhatsApp group chat between players be a better way to schedule matches? Also, we go where no other pod would go: a full analysis of Rafa Jodar's constantly-snapping shoelaces and his pathway to a full Velcro solution. This is what greatness looks like. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E50
August 20 · 51 min
GIMME SHELTON
Tennis-head Mike is joined by professional agitator, Sam Taunton as they break down Canada, and also break down emotionally. We celebrate Ben Shelton's win, and laud Brandon Nakashima's excellent ability to throw shade on entire cities. We also marvel at Iga Świątek because she just bossed the final in Toronto and called out the haters. We hope to find the courage to do the same one day. Hey, this is our 50th episode! So, if you missed us the first 49 times or just thought we sucked, you should definitely tune in now as we've finally gotten it right! Love you. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E49
August 13 · 50 min
THE NOTE EPISODE
Mike and Sam (now mad with power) delve into what makes great tennis trash talk and how a player apologising after hitting the net cord is dumb. They also chat about actual tennis stuff - which might appeal to you, if you're into that sort of thing. Mike also freely admits that he would play in a match against Alex Eala just for the bump he'd get in Insta followers. What a pathetic man. Anyway, it was Rod Laver's birthday recently and so we sang him a lovely song. He requested something from the Backstreet Boys, so we obliged. Onya Rod! AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E48
August 6 · 52 min
CORNROWS FOR M'LADY?
While Lizzy is off pursuing her dreams or something, Sam Taunton graces us with his presence and sassy mouth. He and Mike get lost in a labyrinth of cornrows, fedoras and tennis adjacent ramblings. We marvel at Alex Eala's recent victory and whet our whistles at the impending triumphant return of Bernie Tomic and some guy named Alcaraz. Oh, and Sam freely admits he violated the terms of his Tennis Australia contract by speaking directly to players (namely: Taylor Fritz) in the corridors after their AO matches. All his wages are henceforth garnished. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E47
July 30 · 42 min
Ibiza, Tennis and Lizzy's travel plans
In the last show before Lizzy embarks on a stint at the Edinburgh Fringe, she and Mike share stories of fans in the wild, questionable opinions on Milo and Ibiza, plus plenty of laughs. They break down the latest on-court drama, where a match point is spoiled and then saved, discuss live results from DC, US Open predictions and wander off on a few hilarious musical tangents along the way. With giant phones replacing novelty cheques and rumours swirling about Matteo Berrettini and Peggy Gou, this episode has it all. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E46
July 23 · 49 min
TENNIS AND THE LORD OF FASHION
Mike and Lizzy go rogue with some top of the pod beats. Lizzy dared to 'dis' the Carlos and his long locks. How dare she! She wants him to get a haircut. The pod pair continue to champion Bernie Tomic's challenging journey and drill down on the Karolina Muchova 'mystery' procedure. It was hard to miss the GOAT! Novak Djokovic goes wild with his Lone Wolf 'cry for help'. And, Mike and Lizzy get some fashion tips from in-house and in-vogue 'Lord of Fashion' Jonathan Lee. If you want to elevate a tracksuit, he's your guy (well him and Novak). He spoke about the 'Big Five' when it comes to AO fashion, Naomi Osaka's ground-breaking gear at the Grand Slams and brought some trackky daks and hoodies in a gift pack for our hosts. The Fashion Lord unleashed on some of the 'looks' and 'letdowns' sported by the game's best. And he gave Mike a 'leave pass' for his backwards hat fashion faux pas that is a Lleyton Hewitt signature styling. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E45
July 15 · 43 min
THAT'S TENNIS!
Wimbledon is Wimble-dover! So, our hosts crack open a JD can and chomp into a Chiko Roll while dissecting the entire tournament. Is Novak done? How did Noskova come back like that? Why do they keep making Jannik Sinner dance against his will? Also did you see the hat that Jennifer Lopez wore? It's almost like she cares for no one but herself. There's also an admission from Mike that he did indeed spend $400 on an Andre Agassi pickleball paddle. What a chump. It's the podcast that - time and time again - reminds you of that phrase to live by: "That's tennis!" AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E44
July 9 · 54 min
HOT TAKES AND WARM CREAM
Mike and Lizzy are running on adrenaline and courage - and a little bit of whisky - as they slice into the biggest moments to come out of Wimbledon so far. There's also a scorching hot take on the tournament's ridiculous 11pm curfew, some chatter about excessive post-win celebrations (think: bicep kissing) and a full analysis of Flavio Cobolli's trips to the dunny. Also, our hosts make a great case for Alex de Minaur to exorcise his demons by dancing on stage with Bad Bunny. You know it makes sense. Listen now! AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E43
July 2 · 36 min
PARISIAN NIGHT SUITS
A Wimbledon preview with slam poetry, tennis adjacent stories and the long-awaited return of Watch Watch. The guys try to read the mind of Jannik Sinner and also marvel at the bold rapping stylings of Dominic Thiem. Also is Novak's yoga pose as strong as it could be in the new Lacoste commercial? It's a valid question and we attempt to answer it in everyone's favourite tennis pod (if you don't count the like, 18 that are ahead of us), Pod Laver Arena! AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E42
June 25 · 39 min
WILD THINGS
Serena Williams has a Wimbledon wildcard and the news is sending us all loopy. Mike takes the opportunity to vent about a stranger sitting too close to him on a plane. And Lizzy questions the necessity of naming an asteroid after Jannik Sinner. Was Corentin Moutet's $40,000 fine too harsh? Is Aryna Sabalenka tweaking? We answer none of these questions and more! Come for the Indiana Jones reference, stay for the Chiko Roll chaser. It's Pod Laver Arena, people. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E41
June 18 · 32 min
TENNIS ADJACENT
Comedians Mike Goldstein and Lizzy Hoo talk all things grass season and try to solve the bone-chilling mystery of 'Why Were There Loose Coins in the Shower?' Watch in disgust as the butcher the pronunciation of the names of several international tournaments, and then decide once and for all which sport is harder to play: Tennis or Golf? The answer, will shock you. It definitely shocked me. It's Pod Laver Arena! The only podcast that's been asked to record on the lawn of the White House (we declined the offer)! AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E40
June 11 · 40 min
FROZEN TOMATOES
Mike and Lizzy reflect on Roland Garros and compare Flavio Cobolli's overhead smash technique to that of Mike's aunty Linda. They then effortlessly transition into offending the entire Kingdom of Great Britain with some dubious accent work and cultural digs. But you simply have to listen to hear Mike's very special idea to ask tennis players to let him stay in their hotel rooms once they're eliminated from a tournament. It's goofball stuff and, like most things in this tennis podcast, it's not well thought-through. Come and get bagel'd by us. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E39
June 4 · 42 min
A NET POSITIVE
Sam and Lizzy cannot get enough of the spicy affair that is: Roland Garros 2026! Dodgy line calls, soiled shorts, and a player whose frenetic legs have reached the coveted 'Quick Sticks' power rating. It's everything we ever dreamed. Plus, we have an extra delicious helping of Bernie Tomic hijinks, and we make a pitch for Tennis Australia's new CEO to send us to Vegas. Will he do it?! Either way, it's all a net positive. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E38
May 29 · 36 min
TEENY TINY SMILES
Comedians Mike Goldstein and Lizzy Hoo are on the scene to blubber about Roland Garros drama, and brag about their recent viral video success (dissing Pickleball/Mike's mile-high drunken run-in, etc). They examine Naomi Osaka's recent fashion choices, the beauty of allowing humans to make contentious line calls in the French, and the creepy little smile that Jannik Sinner does in his new Gucci commercial. It's tennis news, commentary and fun - and it's big in Sweden for some reason! AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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S1 · E37
May 21 · 41 min
HUGHESY, WE HAVE A PODCAST
At first, we thought a vagrant had got past security, but the more he spoke, we realised... IT WAS NONE OTHER THAN COMEDY LEGEND/TENNIS AFICIONADO DAVE HUGHES! He joins hosts Mike and Lizzy to talk about his red-hot love of the game, and to brag about all the times he's sat front row at Australian Open finals. Hear about the time he was part of Roger Federer's hype crew, and also about the time he saw Adam Hills' foot melt while playing a set in 42-degree heat. You know what? It's actually really quite entertaining. AusOpen.com iHeart Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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