Australian Open champion Madison Keys opened up about how therapy helped her manage her emotions and improve her on-court performance. The American stunned two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the final (6-3, 2-6, 7-5) to claim her first Grand Slam title.
The 29-year-old had previously come close to securing her maiden major title when she reached the 2017 US Open final, but she lost to her friend Sloane Stephens (3-6, 0-6). Dealing with the frustration of not achieving the title she had dreamed of since childhood led her into a spiral of negative emotions.
Keys reflects on emotional journey to Grand Slam glory
The American shared during a press conference that conversations about winning a Grand Slam began when she was just 11 or 12 years old, as she said. The American had a standout junior career, training at the Chris Evert Tennis Academy. She turned professional at only 14 and broke into the top 100 by age 17.
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By 21, Keys entered the top 10, and at 22, she reached her first Grand Slam final. It seemed only a matter of time before she lifted a Grand Slam trophy. However, while Keys remained consistently among the top-ranked players and had several deep runs in majors, she always seemed a step behind the big champions of recent years, such as Ash Barty, Naomi Osaka, Simona Halep, and more recently, Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka.
“It was meant to be confidence-building, but as I got older and it didn't happen, it felt like, will this ever actually happen?” she mentioned. “So it went from being something positive to something that was almost like panic. ‘Why hasn’t it happened yet? Why haven’t I been able to do it?’”
At Melbourne Park, Keys defeated three Grand Slam champions along the way—three of the most prominent players of the past few seasons: Elena Rybakina (No. 6), Swiatek (No. 2), and Sabalenka (No. 1).
When asked how she managed to overcome her negative feelings, the new world No. 7 replied, “Lots of therapy. Digging in on how I felt about myself and really being honest,” she stated. “The more we talk about using it as a tool, people will feel more comfortable with it.”
“The WTA does a great job having someone at tournaments that you can talk to. It’s helpful for a lot of us. The stigma around therapy in general, not just in sports, is slowly starting to go away.”
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“It’s something I will continue to do for the rest of my life. If more people do it and more people talk about it, then it just becomes the norm. It’s almost as if you’re going to the doctor. No one bats an eye at that. I think it’s overwhelmingly needed, for most people.”
Keys begins the season in perfect form with a 12-0 record in 2025, the best streak of her career, including two consecutive titles. She will return to action during the Middle East swing at the Doha Open and Dubai Open.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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