Madison Keys was just 16 when she featured in her first US Open, and the home Grand Slam holds a special place in the now-29-year-old's tennis star's heart.
"It's truly the best, greatest feeling in the entire world," Keys told JWS last week. "I think there have been some of my most heartbreaking moments in front of a US Open crowd, but also some of my absolute most favorite, literally to the point of mid-match getting goosebumps."
Ahead of today's 2024 US Open kickoff, Keys commented on the power of the New York Slam's fans, saying, "The thing I've always loved about playing at the US Open is that, literally no matter how down and out you felt, the entire crowd was still there trying to get you through and push you through."
A chaotic 2024 sets up Keys's US Open appearance
The world No. 14 has had a rollercoaster 2024 season, missing the Australian Open due to injury before making solid finishes at WTA events in Miami, Madrid, and Strasbourg.
The Illinois product then suffered an injury at Wimbledon, withdrawing in the Round of 16 while in a winning position against eventual finalist Jasmine Paolini. "As devastating as that match against Jasmine was, it was also one of my favorite matches that I've played," she explained. "Just because I feel like we were both playing so well."
Her veteran perspective allowed Keys to calmly view the injury for what it was: a simple setback. "[Wimbledon] was really reassuring that I didn't do anything wrong," Keys said. "It wasn't this big thing that we had to worry about or manage. It was just really horrible timing."
"I've started to change my perspective on success and goals," she added. "At the end of every day, being able to say, 'Okay, did I accomplish my goal? If not, what were the lessons learned? How can I move forward with them?' I think that's honestly the best way to go about success in tennis."
Prioritizing health is vital to Keys's tennis career
The 2016 Rio Olympic semifinalist pulled out of the 2024 Paris Games in an effort to maintain her wellness and gear up for the season's final Slam — a decision she says was hard-won.
"It’s one of the greatest honors to be able to play for your country and play at an Olympics, and it was honestly one of my favorite tennis moments of my life," she said. "But I'm getting older — I've been on tour for a long time. They like to call me a veteran now, and I think you have to start shifting gears a little bit to prioritize the best schedule... to be able to maintain a high level and stay healthy."
At this stage in her career, Keys notes that every little thing matters, like putting nutrition and rest first in the run-up to another US Open while also partnering with supplement companies to boost her conditioning along the way.
"It's a lot about the details — we're constantly putting our bodies under insane amounts of stress and traveling," she said. "Being able to, like, literally not get a cold, something as small as that. I've been lucky to be able to partner with Thorne — that has been my absolute go-to — because if I can do all of the things right, I'm setting myself up for success.
"The other thing is prioritizing recovery, making sure that I have my whey protein, getting a good night's sleep, and being able to recover — those things are so important. Most people would think, 'Oh, it's about time in the gym and on the court.' That's obviously really important, but it's all of the little details that create the full picture."
Recognizing that pacing her seasons and listening to her body will help protect her health and, ultimately, her career, Keys is clear on her path forward. "At this point in my career, my biggest goal is I want to play tennis for as long as I want to play tennis," she said. "I don't want some outside force to be the reason that I have to step away from the game."
Madison Keys is into her second Australian Open semifinal after taking out No. 4 Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 6-2 on Tuesday.
Keys is now 11-1 on the year and is on a career-best 10-match winning streak.
She took down Krejcikova behind 27 winners, including 11 aces. She also managed just 21 unforced errors. Krejcikova, meanwhile, managed only 12 winners, which were outpaced by 28 unforced errors.
Maddy's moment 🙌 @Madison_Keys returns to the #AusOpen semifinals for the first time since 2015 by defeating Barbora Krejcikova 6-3 6-2.#AO2022
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2022
🎥 : @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/rhfAPTUne8
It’s the fifth Grand Slam semifinal of the American’s career and her first since the 2018 US Open. Her best finish in a Grand Slam to date is a runner-up showing against Sloane Stephens at the 2017 US Open.
Keys will now look to the semifinals, where she will face off against world No. 1 Ash Barty. Barty continued her dominant run on Tuesday, taking down No. 21 Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-0 in a mere 63 minutes. So far, Barty has gone the entire Open without playing a third set.
“I think she’s definitely living in everyone’s head a little bit,” Pegula said of Barty after the match. “I don’t think anyone is going to feel great going out to play her because they know they have to play really well.”
Barty and Keys have faced off three times before, with Barty holding the edge 2-1. Their last match came at the 2019 French Open, when Barty won en route to the title.
Madison Keys cruised past No. 8 seed Paula Badosa 6-3, 6-1 on Sunday to advance to the Australian Open quarterfinals.
A Madison MASTERCLASS 🎓
— wta (@WTA) January 23, 2022
🇺🇸 @Madison_Keys claims her spot in the quarterfinals, defeating 8th seed Paula Badosa 6-3, 6-1. pic.twitter.com/5dFx8GQDJI
The American got off to a flying start, dropping only five service points during the opening set. In the second set, Keys won five straight games to finish off the match in 69 minutes.
The victory secured Keys her eighth career Grand Slam quarterfinal and first Australian Open quarterfinal appearance since 2018.
The 26-year-old has had a dominant start to 2022, kicking off the season with a 10-1 record. Keys will look to keep the streak going when she faces off against No. 4 Barbora Krejcikova.
The Czech star downed former Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka in straight sets to earn a quarterfinal matchup against Keys.
Madison Keys’ strong start to the new year continued at the Australian Open on Monday, with the American upsetting 2020 champion Sofia Kenin 7-6(2), 7-5 in the first round.
Keys recorded 31 winners, including 15 aces, to take down No. 11 seed. The victory was the 43rd of Keys’ WTA career and her sixth straight.
Second round unlocked 🔓
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2022
🇺🇸 @Madison_Keys knocks out the 2020 champion Sofia Kenin, 7-6(2) 7-5 to move on at Melbourne Park.
🎥: @wwos • @espn • @Eurosport • @wowowtennis#AO2022 • #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/B1qRoCb4KX
Keys, the former world No. 7, was coming off of a win Saturday at the Adelaide International tournament for her first WTA title since 2019. She now holds a 3-1 head-to-head advantage over Kenin.
Kenin, the 23-year-old American, was the third top seed to fall Monday after Coco Gauff dropped her first-round match and Ons Jabeur withdrew from hers due to injury.
Keys, 26, will take on Jaqueline Cristian of Romania in the second round. Cristian defeated Greet Minnen 7-5, 6-4 on Monday.
Madison Keys cruised past Alison Riske 6-1, 6-2 in the Adelaide International 2 final to clinch her first title since 2019.
The 26-year-old American fired 24 winners to power past her fellow countrywoman, never facing a breakpoint during the 66-minute match.
MADI WINS IN ADDIE 💥
— wta (@WTA) January 15, 2022
🇺🇸 @Madison_Keys clinches a 6th WTA title with victory over Riske at the Adelaide International 2!#AdelaideTennis pic.twitter.com/3cW2w8Ja6K
Keys entered the Australian Open tune-up event as World No. 87 and defeated No. 2 seed Elina Svitolina, No. 8 seed Liudmila Samsonova and No. 3 seed Coco Gauff in her charge to the final. The former World No. 7 will break into the Top 60 following her victory in Adelaide.
Keys will face a tough first-round matchup at the Australian Open, facing off against 2020 Australian Open champion and World No. 12 Sofia Kenin.