"When the nerves hit, my brain and my body just separate": Andy Roddick & Madison Keys discuss the key to her Australian Open success
WTA
Madison Keys spoke with Andy Roddick about the major change she made to finally secure a Grand Slam title, more than seven years after her first major final. The world No. 7 stunned the tennis world by defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in the final to lift the Australian Open trophy.
The American’s campaign finally allowed her to put the disappointment of the 2017 US Open final behind her. Not many expected Keys to get another shot at a major, especially since she didn’t enter the tournament as one of the favourites. However, she overcame Elena Rybakina, Danielle Collins, and Iga Swiatek before toppling the two-time defending champion in the final.
Over seven years ago, a 22-year-old Keys played her first Grand Slam final against her close friend Sloane Stephens, who claimed the title with a dominant 6-3, 6-0 victory. Since then, Keys had made several deep runs at majors but had never returned to a final.
In her recent appearance on the podcast Served with Andy Roddick, the 29-year-old admitted that she had to change her mindset to stay more relaxed in high-pressure matches. “I went through that thought process. During my young years, when I started to feel the nerves, I would almost start panicking a little bit. To me, it correlated with ‘How am I going to play well if I’m also nervous?’”
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“The other players playing well weren’t dealing with the nerves,” she added. “When the nerves hit, my brain and my body just separate. By talking to myself a bit more and more, I had the nerves but also was able to play good tennis. They are not mutually exclusive. Since I started working on it the past year, I started to get better and better.”
Keys has found new momentum in her career, and just weeks before turning 30, she has secured her return to the top 10. She was expected to compete at the ATX Open but had to withdraw due to a WTA rule preventing more than one top-10 player from entering, with Jessica Pegula taking the reserved spot. Keys will return at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships starting on February 17.
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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