Nearly eight years after her first appearance in a Grand Slam final ended in disappointment, American tennis star Madison Keys has earned a shot at redemption. The 29-year-old powered her way past world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the Australian Open semifinals, booking a championship clash with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.
For Keys, it marks an incredible resurgence in the latter stages of her career. The former prodigy has admittedly struggled to manage the immense pressure and expectations placed upon her since her teenage years. Her straight-sets defeat to fellow American Sloane Stephens in the 2017 US Open final left deep scars.
Embracing Change to Unlock Potential
So what’s behind Keys’ inspired run in Melbourne? The Illinois native points to a newfound willingness to embrace change, even at this advanced stage of her tennis journey. An equipment switch from her long-time racket sponsor Wilson to Yonex has breathed new life into her game.
I’m at the later point of my career. It just kind of felt like, why not, however many more years I have, be willing to adapt and be a little bit more open to change?
Madison Keys
But the transformation goes beyond just her tools of the trade. Keys, now coached by her husband and former ATP pro Bjorn Fratangelo, has worked hard to adjust her mental approach to the sport she’s dedicated her life to.
Finding Peace Amid the Pressure
For so long, the weight of being labeled the “next big thing” in American tennis wore heavily on Keys. The prevailing narrative became that anything short of Grand Slam glory meant she hadn’t fulfilled her awesome potential. That pressure, at times, felt paralyzing.
There have been periods of my career where it felt like if I didn’t win [a major], then I hadn’t done enough, and I didn’t live up to my potential in all of that.
Madison Keys
Now, with the benefit of experience and introspection, Keys has learned to accept the stress inherent to performing on the sport’s grandest stages. Rather than trying to block out the nerves, she’s embracing the challenge.
- Acknowledge the uncomfortable moments
- Don’t shy away from the stress
- Trust in your ability to play through it
One More Hurdle to Overcome
To achieve her ultimate goal, Keys will need to overcome the considerable obstacle of Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarusian star denied Keys in a gripping three-set semifinal at the 2023 US Open and is chasing her third consecutive Australian Open crown.
But win or lose, this fortnight has already marked a momentous shift in Keys’ perspective. Armed with a fresh approach and unburdened by the weight of expectations, she’s rediscovered her love for the game. And that, in many ways, is the greatest victory of all.
