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.

Episode List

PAT TO THE RAFTERS

Feb 1st, 2026 6:55 AM

You turn your back for one second, and M&Ms mascots come into the studio and mess up the place. But the boys recover to talk smack about Elena Rybakina's victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the women's final. Great match, good times, subdued celebration. Not that Sam would know much about it - he was eating a charcuterie board with his girlfriend during the match. And will our brazen hosts sneak their way into the men's final tonight? Almost certainly not. I mean, the M&Ms mascots have a better chance, let's be honest. If that wasn't enough (which it isn't), Aussie tennis legend Pat Rafter drops in and hammers a ping pong ball into Sam Taunton's back fat. Wham! Footnote: In a breathtaking power move, Mike wears stolen sunglasses for this entire ep. It's stirring stuff. Alternatively, you can stay up to date with the latest results each day of the main draw: https://lnk.to/TheAOWrapAusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GUZZLE THIS

Jan 31st, 2026 9:45 AM

Imagine Rod Laver dripping beads in a sauna, because we talk about that AND MORE. Yes, Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) and co-host Sam (@samtaunton) snuck into the Alcaraz v Zverev match yesterday and are still giddy as schoolgirls about it! And Mike stayed up until 3am watching the Novak beat Jannik Sinner, and it absolutely shows - the guy is fried. Anyway, marvel as we dissect the Alcaraz inner thigh massage controversy: did he abuse the rules? Or was it a Chubb close call? Also, we interview none other than Coco Gauff (and show her a piece of artwork that she DOES NOT LIKE and Lizzy almost smacks her in the head with a ping pong ball). Drink us in and dance around. Love you. #blessed Alternatively, stay up to date with the latest results each day of the main draw: https://lnk.to/TheAOWrapAusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SLURP IT UP, SLURP IT DOWN!

Jan 30th, 2026 10:21 AM

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 a rousing message to the remaining Aussies in the draw that will bring a tear to your beady little eyes. I cried. I'm not too proud to admit it. Also, I guess I'm emotional because I miss my family. They have us working crazy hours here and, TBH, I'm reaching my upper limit. I mean, I'm resilient, normally... but this tournament requires a gargantuan effort and... ah look, this is probably not the forum. Anyway, come get an insight into Aryna Sabalenka's inner sanctum as we talk to her strength and conditioning coach, Jason Stacy! Stay up to date with the latest results each day of the main draw: https://lnk.to/TheAOWrapAusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GIMME SHELTON

Jan 29th, 2026 9:28 AM

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 out'. They'll also ask probing questions like 'Gee whiz, what's with all the straight-sets matches?' They also massacre a Neil Diamond song, which is just horrendous for all involved. Oh, and we talk to USA turbo-hunk tennis dude, Ben Shelton. Are you not TENTERTAINED (tennis-entertained)?! Don't answer that. Anyway, as our sponsor would say: 'Get some bubbles up ya!' Listen to The AO Wrap to stay up to date with the latest results each day of the main draw. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIAN TENNIS (PROBABLY)

Jan 28th, 2026 11:26 AM

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 tennis analysis, Mike (@comedymikegoldstein) crunches the numbers on the stats that actually matter, like how many Shake Shack burgers have been consumed across the entirety of the Australian Open. If this wasn’t enough, our resident audio visual expert "Ace Man" launches a full scale investigation into Carlos Alcaraz that somehow raises more questions than it answers. And finally, it only felt right to give De Minaur the send off he deserves, so we’ve lined up one of our all time interviews with him on today’s pod. It’s a cracking chat that will absolutely lift your spirits. Lifted spirits guaranteed or your money back. Listen to The AO Wrap to stay up to date with the latest results each day of the main draw. AusOpen.comiHeartApple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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