Madison Keys out to unlock secret of grand slam success in Australian Open final
Madison Keys out to unlock secret of grand slam success in Australian Open final
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Inspiration from opponent Aryna Sabalenka and a willingness to embrace change have carried Madison Keys to the brink of a long-awaited first grand slam title. The American was hailed as the next big star of women’s tennis when she turned professional aged just 14 but, 15 years later, her best slam result remains a one-sided loss to Sloane Stephens in the US Open final in 2017.
But that could well change on Saturday, when Keys will take on two-time defending Australian Open champion Sabalenka in her second slam final having produced a stunning upset of Iga Swiatek. She is confident she has learned from her US Open experience, saying with a smile: “I’ve obviously thought of that match endlessly for the past eight years.
“I think, during that match, I was so consumed with being nervous and the moment and the opportunity and all of that, that I never really gave myself a chance to actually play. “I think the big thing for me has just been knowing that there are going to be a lot of moments where I’m uncomfortable in the match. It’s going to be stressful. You have thousands of people watching you. You might not be playing your best tennis.
“But, instead of trying to shy away from that and search for settling or comfort or anything, just being OK that that’s the situation, and you can also play tennis through that.”. Sharpening the axe can get you so far, but sometimes you just need new tools.
