Madison Keys is leading the charge with one of the most impressive comebacks this season. After a tough 2024, marked by early injuries and rebounding with a strong clay court run, including a Madrid Open semifinal, Keys secured her eighth title at the Strasbourg Open without dropping a set. Despite those successes, she faced disappointing exits at Wimbledon and the US Open, finishing ranked No. 21. Now, she’s a major title champion and on a 16-match winning streak, from Adelaide to Melbourne and now Indian Wells. This transformation is a stark contrast to her performance last year. So, what’s her secret?
Keys made history on March 13 by dominating Belinda Bencic 6-1, 6-1 in the BNP Paribas Open quarterfinals, marking her first-ever semifinal appearance at Indian Wells. This victory not only extended her winning streak to 16 matches but also positioned her as a strong contender for the title. Reflecting on her remarkable run, Keys noted, “I think the reality of winning as many matches as I have this early in a season hasn’t ever really happened for me,” highlighting the confidence boost she’s gained from these wins.
As she prepares to face Aryna Sabalenka, Keys revealed that her growth as a player has been pivotal. In a pre-match press conference, she was asked about any significant changes in her mental or tactical approach compared to five years ago. Keys responded thoughtfully, “I think a lot of it was just kind of maturing and kind of coming to terms with where I was at just as a tennis player. I think I kind of always think that everything happens for a reason.” This maturity seems to be paying off, as Keys continues to break new ground in her career, including her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open earlier this year.
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 7, 2024 Madison Keys of the U.S. reacts during her fourth round match against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Keys wasn’t always a standout player. She faced early expectations and pressure, leading to inconsistency and fear of failure. However, she transformed herself by focusing on personal growth and refining her game with tactical changes. As she noted, “I think you have to go through your own personal journey in order to get to where you want to be.” She adopted a more aggressive mindset, emphasizing physical conditioning and mental resilience. Keys added, “I think all of those kind of years of struggle and ups and downs just kind of led me to this point.” This journey culminated in her first Grand Slam win at the 2025 Australian Open.
Now, Keys is heading into the semifinals of the Indian Wells Open for the first time after 11 failed attempts. Not to mention, her journey has been marked by significant changes in her team and game, which have played a crucial role in her success. How did she deal with these changes?
Keys opens up how she embraced changes this season
Madison’s Indian Wells campaign kicked off with a bang, securing a straight-set win over Amanda Anisimova. She then faced a tough test against Elise Mertens in the Round of 32, emerging victorious with a thrilling 6-2, 6-7, 6-4 win on Monday. This momentum has been fueled by significant changes Keys has made to her game this season. In a post-match interview, Keys expressed her satisfaction with these changes, stating, “I definitely am very happy that I made a lot of the changes.”
However, she acknowledged that it wasn’t an easy decision, noting, “I think that it obviously takes a lot of courage to make changes.” Keys explained that she used to be more resistant to change, preferring to rely on her own abilities to overcome challenges. She said, “I think for a long time I was more stubborn about not making the changes, because I also felt like I didn’t want to just search for answers. I felt like I had a lot of control over getting myself out of scenarios. So I think there is a delicate balance because you also don’t want to start switching things every time you lose three matches in a row because then you’re never going to have any consistency. And then I feel like you’re always looking for answers outside of yourself.”
She also highlighted the need for thoughtful decision-making, adding, “going forward, there is lots of discussions that go into it and making sure that you’re wanting to make the changes for the right reasons.” As she prepares to face Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, the excitement is palpable. This will be a rematch of their epic Australian Open final earlier this year, where Keys emerged victorious.
The question on everyone’s mind is: Can Madison Keys continue her winning streak and make history at Indian Wells? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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