Madison Keys confirms her participation in the WTA 500 Charleston Open, which boasts a stellar lineup featuring four top-10 players and seven in the top 15. However, one of the standout names will be local favourite Keys, the recent Australian Open champion.
With this, the tournament welcomes its third Grand Slam champion in the draw, alongside Sofia Kenin (No. 44) and Jelena Ostapenko (No. 25), though there’s no doubt that Keys arrives with the strongest form.
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The world No. 5 will be the second seed, just behind her compatriot Jessica Pegula (No. 4). She joins Zheng Qinwen (No. 8), Paula Badosa (No. 9), Emma Navarro (No. 11), and Daria Kasatkina among the top contenders.
Charleston holds a special place in Keys’ heart, as she tied the knot with her husband, former tennis player and now coach Bjorn Fratangelo, in the city just a few months ago during the off-season.
“I’m really excited. I was laughing the other day, thinking, ‘I feel like we were just in Charleston. Why were we just in Charleston? Oh, yeah, our wedding! I forgot!’ It feels like it was just yesterday, but also so many things have happened. We’re really excited to come back.”
In a recent interview with the tournament’s official media, Keys shared her love for Charleston, calling it one of her favourite stops on tour. “I think a big part of that is [tournament director] Bob Moran believed in me from a really young age, so I’ve been able to play the tournament many times. I was granted a wildcard a few times when I was still quite young and just starting on the tour. Just being able to come back every single year — I don’t think I’ve missed one. I love it there. The people are great, the fans are amazing.”
Since then, Keys’ career has evolved significantly. Known for deep runs in big tournaments, she had long struggled to take that final step to claim a Grand Slam. That changed this year, as she captured her first major title, eight years after a heartbreaking loss to Sloane Stephens in the 2017 US Open final.
Charleston marks the beginning of the clay season. A week after Miami, a few clay events take place in the United States before the top players head to Europe, where the majority of the swing unfolds, featuring WTA 1000 events in Madrid and Rome, as well as Roland Garros.
Did I mention that @Madison_Keys is a low-key big deal? @CharlestonOpen fans get their first interaction with Maddy since they watched her hoist the trophy in Melbourne. pic.twitter.com/QIGVU96udg
— TennisAtlantic (@TennisAtlantic) March 29, 2025
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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