Episode notes
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…
Podcast
Pod Laver Arena
Tennis Australia · Sport · English
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 int
More from Pod Laver Arena All episodes →
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S1 · E53 · 10 Sep 2026 · 47 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…
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S1 · E52 · 3 Sep 2026 · 52 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…
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S1 · E51 · 26 Aug 2026 · 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 · 20 Aug 2026 · 52 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…
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S1 · E49 · 13 Aug 2026 · 51 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…
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S1 · E47 · 30 Jul 2026 · 43 min
MILO AND IBIZA
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…
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S1 · E46 · 23 Jul 2026 · 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…
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S1 · E45 · 15 Jul 2026 · 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…
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S1 · E44 · 9 Jul 2026 · 55 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…
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S1 · E43 · 2 Jul 2026 · 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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