Sixteen victories in a row – that’s Madison Keys’ track record in the last little while. It doesn’t get much better than that, does it? Right from Adelaide to Melbourne and now in the Indian Wells, the American seems unstoppable. Thursday, March 13, was no different as she ousted last month’s Abu Dhabi Open champion Belinda Bencic to make it to her first-ever Indian Wells semifinal. Yes, after 11 failed campaigns in the Californian desert, the 30-year-old has accomplished this milestone for the first time. Despite her previous setbacks in the Indian Wells, Keys has always been in awe of the event. Why? Well, there happens to be a nostalgic connection.
The official Instagram account of the BNP Paribas Open shared a clip on Thursday, which featured various WTA and ATP stars revealing why they like to play in Indian Wells. Frances Tiafoe highlighted why it’s “called the fifth slam for a reason.” Apart from the sheer number of fans that come to enjoy tennis, he mentioned that the atmosphere is “super relaxed.” Similarly, Iga Swiatek revealed how she likes “the really nice conditions,” including the weather, at this venue. But what about Madison Keys? Well, she’s got her own special reason behind her love for the event.
Diving down memory lane, she said, “I think one of the reasons that I love Indian Wells and playing here is that it was one of my first tournaments that I ever played.” She recalled how she used to roam around and make her “way through all the offices and poking my head in and saying thank you. And I’m so excited to be here. It’s just really special to be, you know, here in the United States and getting to play in front of so many amazing tennis fans for so long.”
Keys’ first experience at the Indian Wells, in a main draw, came in 2013 when she was just a teenager, aged 18. Sadly, her campaign didn’t go down well. Stosur ousted her in R64. Historically, too, Keys has never succeeded frequently at this event. Her best run came in 2022 when she reached the QF round. She failed to move ahead any further, though, as she lost against former World No.1 Iga Swiatek, with a score line of 6-1, 6-0.
Last season was no good either, as Keys couldn’t go past the R32. Kazakhstan’s Putintseva eliminated her with a score line of 6-4, 6-1. But guess what? This season is turning out to be exceptional for Keys. It appears her Slam victory has inspired her to continue the winning momentum like no other.
Madison Keys looks to create history at the Indian Wells
She did it at the Australian Open two months ago, and she might do it at the Indian Wells too. Madison Keys‘ form in the Indian Wells has been top-notch ever since she opened her campaign with a dominating win against Anastasia Potapova last week in R64. She doubled down with another emphatic victory over Elise Mertens before beating Donna Vekic to make it to the quarterfinals, where she toppled Belinda Bencic. Keys ousted the Swiss WTA pro with a brutal score line of 6-1, 6-1. Firing 30 winners in that match, Keys sealed the deal in just an hour and four minutes to secure a semifinal spot.
When she steps onto the court against Aryna Sabalenka in the SF on Saturday, it will be a rematch of their epic AO final clash from January, where Keys beat the World No.1 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 to lift her maiden major trophy. She will also look to make it to her first WTA 1000 final after 2019’s Cincinnati Masters.
After ousting Bencic and stretching her winning streak to 16 in 2025, Keys revealed, “I think the reality of winning as many matches as I have this early in a season hasn’t ever really happened for me,” reported WTA’s website on March 14. “I think there is definitely a lot of just kind of confidence from all those wins under your belt.” Since 1990, she’s the third oldest player to win 16 or more successive matches. Before her, Martina Navratilova and Serena Williams achieved this feat.
Keys has also become the fourth WTA player, after turning 30, to reach the Indian Wells semifinal round, joining the likes of Elena Vesnina in 2017, Flavia Pennetta in 2014, and Martina Navratilova in 1990.
Sabalenka, on the flip side, will surely try to avenge that heartbreaking loss at the Rod Laver Arena back in January. It will be intriguing to see if Keys reigns supreme again or Sabalenka turns the tables. What’s your prediction?
The post From Wide-Eyed Rookie to Seasoned Pro, Madison Keys Reflects on Her Indian Wells Experience appeared first on EssentiallySports.