Tennis
26 Jan 2025
0

‘It Was Never If, Just When’ – Madison Keys’ Journey to Slam Glory

Madison Keys will move to seventh in the world rankings with her victory

Madison Keys’ road to her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open has been one of persistence, setbacks, and redemption. After years of near-misses and injury struggles, the 29-year-old American defeated double-defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the final to claim her first major trophy.

Her triumph, over seven years after her first Grand Slam final appearance, comes as a testament to her resilience and determination to succeed.


Keys’ Road to Australian Open Glory

Keys entered the tournament in scintillating form, having secured the Adelaide International title by defeating world number one Jessica Pegula. Her Australian Open journey was nothing short of extraordinary:

  • Defeated Iga Swiatek: In the semi-finals, Keys saved a match point to beat five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek, becoming the first player since 2009 to defeat the top two seeds en route to a major title.
  • Overcame Aryna Sabalenka: In the final, Keys showed composure and determination, outlasting the Belarusian to achieve her long-awaited dream.
  • Other Victories: She also defeated top players like Elena Rybakina, Danielle Collins, and Elina Svitolina in earlier rounds.

This incredible run included victories over three top-10 players and two reigning Grand Slam champions.


Overcoming Injury and Reinventing Herself

Keys’ 2024 season was marred by injuries, including a shoulder problem that kept her out of the Australian Open and a hamstring injury that cut short her Wimbledon campaign. Determined to return stronger, Keys embraced change:

  • Racquet Switch: Keys switched to a Yonex racquet on the advice of her husband and coach Bjorn Fratangelo, which helped reduce injury risks and improve her game.
  • Revised Service Motion: Fratangelo also encouraged her to overhaul her service motion to optimize her performance and longevity.

As Keys said: “If you are going to rip things apart, you might as well rip everything apart, right?”


Keys’ Mental Breakthrough

Apart from physical changes, Keys credited therapy for her newfound mental strength. She revealed how focusing on her personal well-being rather than performance helped her achieve this breakthrough:

“I honestly think had I not done [therapy], I wouldn’t be sitting here,” she said after her victory.

Keys’ ability to unburden herself mentally played a pivotal role in her newfound confidence and ability to handle pressure on the court.


‘It Was Never If, Just When’

Keys’ success has resonated with players and fans alike. Fellow Grand Slam champion Sloane Stephens shared her congratulations on social media, saying:

“It was never if, just when. You deserve this and beyond.”

Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash added: “It is a case of potential fulfilled. When we first saw Madison Keys, everybody thought she would win a bunch of Grand Slams.”

Leave a Reply

Rating