Welcome to The Ball Boys, the podcast for anyone who's gay for tennis. We're hardcore tennis enthusiasts with soft-core senses of humor. From discussing our weekly Lobsbians to playing games like Dad, Daddy, or Dandy, we put the fuzz on the balls. All while tackling the latest upsets, outbursts, insights and downloads in professional tennis.
This Wimbledon served up plenty of hits, with a few misses, and some twists and turns that kept us on the edge of our seat. We laughed, we cried, it was better than Cats. Kedzie Teller is back to break down all the action, from our Lobsbians that straddle Andy Roddick, diving divas, and Sabine Lisicki. To our tournament highlights that had us in tears whether it was Alex Eala’s chubby cheeks or Noskova’s tribute to mom or the surprising hometown hero Arthur Fery. And Jannik Sinner cements his status as the clear number 1 with another slam title, but makes us wonder if we are in a flop era for the ATP? But at least we had the pretty match between Dmitrov and Berrettini. And we play our favorite game SMASH back to help determine what will get Sabalenka her groove back before the US Open.
Buckle up for the most unpredictable Wimbledon in years as Paul is joined by a brand new ball boy, Kedzie Teller. Of course we start with New Balls Please, including the debut of Name that Butt. Plus we debate the pros and cons of the Serena Williams singles wild card, highlight some new entrants into the BaeTP and have our credit cards out for Jelena Ostapenko's new line of merch. And we finish up with our green-themed Wimbledon deep dive and our always reliable crystal balls. Find what seeds are bottoming out early and who is taking the crown.
We’re getting read and booked on the latest episode with the return of The Ball Boys Book Club! Paul is joined by Edward Schmit, author of the new gay tennis romance, The Open Era . We play New Balls Please and then dive deep into his debut novel, the steamy romance between Austin and Diego in a fresh take on rivals to lovers. From the anxiety players face, to the important relationships between players and coaches, to the way the media handles or mishandles LGBTQ+ stories this book takes us on a ride. Whet your whistle with us then pick up a copy of The Open Era wherever you buy your favorite books.
The Ball Boys are back to wrap up one of the most unexpected, chaotic Grand Slams in years. Matthew Coleman joins Paul to recap the roller coaster that was Roland Garros and talking about the dangers of getting what you wish for. And it’s Pride month, a time to remember our resilience no matter the hardship or who wins the title. Also for Pride we’re switching things up our LGBTQ TWIT: L - Lobsbians and Lobsessions G - Grinds and Grass (including the return of Serena Williams) B - Births, Bad Behavior, and BaeTP T - Teen sensations making waves Q - Qross Qourt tries a new case
Matthew Coleman is back to join Paul for a Roma recap and a preview of Roland Garros. We debate what makes someone worth stanning and argue over being an Ostapenko versus a Sinner. And with all the injured players taking time off, we rank who would make the best James Bond during their time off. Plus we have new Lobsbians that ask the question "when would you pants yourself?" and we consult our crystal balls to predict the upsets and breakthroughs for Paris.
Buckle up for a bull ride through Madrid as Nathan Frizzell joins as guest Ball Boy. We cover all the ins and outs of Caja Magica with some Dark Magica, Magica Touch, and of course the model ball boys and girls. The ATP is red for fifth as Jannik Sinner is absolutely un-toppable collecting yet another trophy. Plus we debate just how many times a former number 1 should lose in a row before the wild cards stop and we hold space for each other as the BaeTP is hit with some clay ending injuries. And don’t miss our predictions for Rome with our always reliable Majica Balls.
On today’s show Paul is joined by Zach McKenzie from the Houston Tennis Club, OutSmart Magazine and My Gay Houston. We've got an insider’s take on the VIP treatment at the US Clay Championships, and once again worship at the altar that is the Monte Carlo Masters. And we visit the rumor mill to find out who broke up with who, who retired, and who stole who’s coach. Plus we’ve identified the Naomi Smalls of the tour, who’s wig is on backwards, and who is at risk of being stuck in the Khia Asylum. Come get caked up on clay with us.
Grab a towel and join Paul with special guest and pod favorite Ivy Pochoda as they break down the wet and wild action coming out of Miami. In honor of March Madness, we have our own Sweet 16, Elite 8, and Final 4 but Ball Boys style. We celebrate the historic wins of Sinner and Sabalenka, debate Miami versus Indian Wells, and have a new BaeTP ranking with a new leader and this tournament’s Moist Valuable Player, Arthur Fils.
Today Paul is joined by hottie merch model and two time ball boy Ben Kersten to break down the latest from the desert as we’re talking all things Indian Wells. We breakdown the hottest matches, and we talk about the players matching the hottest breakdowns around the tournament. Sinner, Medvedev, Sabalenka and Rybakina just gave us one of the greatest final Sunday’s ever. Plus we have a new set of Lobsbians and a new Cross Court - opening a query into queering Sam Querey’s bracket quandary.
We keep the love going this episode as we are joined by special guest Ball Boy, Tom Vellner, author of Thirty Love. This gay tennis romance novel comes out March 10th everywhere. We talk about the slow burn of a romance novel, the logistics of falling in love on tour, and the euphoria of queer stories where things work out in the end. We also put Tom to work and talk the latest Lobsbians from Hillary Duff’s new tennis music to Vacherot’s can’t miss post match interviews. And we cover the tantrums and hot runs that had us hot and bothered around the tour.
On today’s show Paul is joined by Charles Conoly from the Tennis Channel and we have caught the love bug just in time for Valentine’s day. Charles shares stories from Paul’s literal dream job at the Tennis Channel and we talk about our favorite players, tennis couples and wags. Plus we cover the latest from around the tour, including a Middle East sweep from the Czech girls. Don’t miss our game where we find out what tournaments Charles would date and which ones have him swiping left. And of course we have new Lobsbians, from Pam Shrivers return to the Tennis Channel to Jack Draper's cold plunge.
Paul is joined by Matthew Coleman to cover the Australian Open from top to bottom. From Carlos Alcaraz’s record breaking run to Rybakina’s beguiling domination we’re giving our take on the first slam of the year. And something just felt a little off this year - whether it was great match ups that resulted in terrible match play, or the entire Italian team seeming to have tummy issues. We have a new BaeTP including the debut of Stan the Man plus in a shocking twist of Cross Court - Paul is taken to trial for skirting the ESPN overlords. He’s either punished or rewarded with a slice of warm apple pie and melted cheese. You be the judge!
For our preview special of the Australian Open, Paul is joined by pod mainstay Matthew Coleman to break down the action Down Under. We cover the tops and bottoms of the tour as we boomerang from Medvedev’s new title to United Cups pure entertainment. And we have our always 100% correct, backed by science, predictions of who is making runs on Rod Laver Arena and who is tumbling out of Margaret Court early. Plus a new BaeTP and Lobsbians covering everything from Tiafoe’s water bottle to Zizou Bergs’ thirsty twerking.
Welcome to the new season of The Ball Boys! Paul is joined by Ivy Pochoda to break down the off season action and everything from Heated Rivalry to Venus’s wedding to the heartbreak of the Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Carlos Ferrero split. We cover the battle of the sexists - oops, sexes! And we have two new games for you. With Heated Riv-rally we’re deciding who on tour is a Shane, an Ilya, a Scott, or Kip. It’s like when we all used to argue about who was a Samantha and who was a Carrie, but hornier. And we have a round of New Yours Resolutions where we match players to resolutions, because The Ball Boys know best.
It's time to celebrate the outfits and outbursts, the dudes and feuds, the hot shots and low blows of the ATP and WTA tours with the Second Annual Bally Awards. Paul is joined by his Golden Globes, Matthew Coleman and Matthew Paluch to give out the most prestigious awards in niche, gay, tennis, comedy podcasting. Find out who wins awards like Best Manchild - is it Daniil Medvedev or Jelena Ostapenko? And who takes home the Lobsbian of the Year - the Laver Cup couch or the Carlos Alcaraz puppy cam. And of course we have our Golden Bally for BaeTP of the year. Don't miss the original opening song, a touching in-memoriam, and our predictions for 2026.
The Ball Boys put the rear in year-end with the ATP and WTA Finals. Paul is joined by media darling, Brooklyn tennis icon, and co-creator of Talk Hole, Eric Schwartau, to break down the final stops on the tour. We discuss the ASMR of tennis, debate tennis etiquette and that tainted WTA finals ceremony. Plus we cover who came out on top in 2025 between Carlos and Jannik and we have some predictions of who might be retiring and who’s taking home some big trophies in 2026. And we end with a new case in Cross Court, where the new ATP logo is put on trial in the case we’re calling “whatever happened to fun.”
The Ball Boys are putting the slice in sliced and diced for a special Halloween episode. Paul is joined by OutLoud Sports’ own Adam Laroche (@adamlaroche) and we cover the ghouls and goblins of the tour from Shagnhai to Basel. We talk about our favorite final girl moments, and review tennis terrors with “She Already Done Had Curses.” Plus we have some ideas on where the next Masters 1000 should really take place and how to drag up Wimbledon for week two. And our Lobsbians span everything from the No Kings March to butterfly nets to diss tracks.
Paul is joined by the first member of the Ball Boy Development Program, tennis fanatic and hair deity Benjamin Kersten, to talk the ins and outs of the Asian swing of the ATP and WTA tours. We give some love to Iga and Coco for their recent form on and off the court, have some ideas for how to get butts in the seats at the China Open, and try to solve the mystery of Jannik Sinner’s tummy. And in Cross Court we have the case of Cup Sighs, to figure out how to make the schedule just a little bit less insane.
The Ball Boys are wrapping up the US Open like half the field is wrapping up their shoulders, wrists, and egos. Tune in as Paul and Matthew run down the top moments from the men’s and women’s competitions. We celebrate the Taurus champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka who really are meeting the moment. We have SIX Lobsbians for you from the players puppy cam to red hot matches. And we return with another case of Cross Court, the case of Public Indecency. Tune in and hear the verdict.
And Just Like That, we’re back in the Big Apple for one last slam in 2025. And Matthew Coleman is back, debuting a hot new beard and some extra hot takes on all the action leading up to the US Open. We send off Cincinnati in true WKRP fashion, debate what worked and didn’t about the mixed doubles at the Open (let’s just say we were mixed about the mixed), and we consult our crystal balls for the stories, upsets, and big winners to look for over the next two weeks in New York.
Producer's note
Steal the structure. Not the show.
Keep the useful structure, then change the audience, point of view, and voice until the idea is unmistakably yours.
