After starting the season on a positive note by clinching two titles in Adelaide and Melbourne, Madison Keys has failed to make a similar impact in the rest of the tournaments she has played. After losing to Aryna Sabalenka in the SF of the Indian Wells in straight sets, the 30-year-old admitted, “For me, the loss last week just felt very frustrating.” But days later in Miami, Keys went down to the 19-year-old Filipina, Alexandra Eala, in the R32 again. Further worsening the situation for the American is her recent exit from the Charleston Open! Is this a worrying sign for the 2025 AO champion? Well, Serena Williams’ former coach, Rennae Stubbs, doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to jump to conclusions, especially after Keys’ impressive runs in the earlier parts of this season.
Madison Keys recently went down to Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya in the R16 of the 2025 Charleston Open by 6-2,6-4. After struggling with injuries and illness issues, Kalinskaya finally managed to clinch her first Top 10 victory in 2025. Following her impressive performance against Keys, the Russian said, “This one is special. I needed this for my confidence. I had an unfortunate start to the year, but it’s nice to be back and playing at such a high level.”
When asked if there was any added pressure before stepping onto the court to face someone like Keys, Kalinskaya responded, “I guess there’s no pressure when you play someone from the top 10, and I don’t have to play my best; if not, they will take advantage of me. So I have less doubts when I play against a top player and just go for it.”
For Keys on the flipside, a lot of question marks are raised about her consistency in performing at the highest level. However, Rennae Stubbs doesn’t want to pay heed to any of those! In one of her replies to a fan on X, she stated, “@Madison_Keys is an absolute inspiration.”
Thanks !!! Yes agreed. @Madison_Keys is an absolute inspiration. https://t.co/Imrcs03Q9h
— Rennae Stubbs (@rennaestubbs) April 3, 2025
This is not the first time Keys has shown her support for Keys. Well, even when the American star won the AO earlier this year, Stubbs was among the first ones to congratulate her and her support staff on their biggest success. “It takes a village! @bjornfrat @lang_r48 @theathleteconnection @madisonkeys,” Stubbs wrote on X back then.
Not only that, she also shared a post from Bjorn Fratangelo (Keys’ husband) featuring her winning moment and wrote, “This sums it up! Congrats to these 3 for ALWAYS believing in her!”
With that incredible title triumph in Melbourne, Madison Keys has now become an inspiration to her peers. What do the other tennis stars have to say about the resurgence of the 30-year-old American?
“She inspired us all” —Ons Jabeur shares her thoughts on Madison Keys’ title triumph in Melbourne
Madison Keys made her Grand Slam debut in the US Open 2011 at the age of just 16! It took her almost 46 main draw appearances, including the final at the 2017 US Open, to achieve her ultimate goals. When asked how it felt becoming the second-oldest woman to clinch her maiden AO title in the Open Era at 29, Keys said she drew inspiration from her peers like Jessica Pegula.
“I mean, honestly, even Jess (Jessica Pegula) last year making her first US Open final, it’s… everyone’s playing their best tennis and I feel like age is just a number and as long as we’re having fun out there, and playing well I think it’s some of our best tennis,” the World No. 5 said in a previous interview.
Recently, Pegula also opened up on how she and Keys motivate one another to reach new heights on the WTA Tour. Even Emma Navarro spoke on a similar note recently. She said, “It’s awesome. Even just to be grouped in with those names is really cool…It’s fun to cheer Jess on when she’s playing in Miami, and Maddie, of course, is starting the year off winning the Australian Open title. I think we push each other to always keep getting better.”
Another 30-year-old tennis star, Ons Jabeur, is in awe of Madison Keys’ incredible run in Melbourne as well. According to the Tunisian, “Every player has their own path, and she inspired us all when she won her first Grand Slam.”
Although Keys’ recent form has sparked some concerns, she still has a win-loss record of 20-4 this season. Do you think she can make a strong comeback and bring out her A-game on the clay courts? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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