Madison Keys has completely the opposite opinion to Frances Tiafoe about morning matches at the Australian Open

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Madison Keys is looking to reach her third career Australian Open semi-final in 2025.

There are few players on the WTA Tour more dangerous when playing at their peak than the American world number 14.

Keys has reached six Grand Slam semi-finals during her career, and could well be poised for her best-ever tournament at this year’s Australian Open.

The 29-year-old began her season in fine form, as Keys won the Adelaide International, taking down last year’s US Open finalist Jessica Pegula in three sets.

Entering the Australian Open as the 19th seed, Keys was drawn against fellow American Ann Li, for their first career meeting.

Keys won in straight sets, 6-4, 7-5, as she comfortably secured her spot in the second round, where she will be hoping to play at a slightly different time.

Madison Keys would ‘love’ to play at 11 a.m rather than 1 a.m as she disagrees with Frances Tiafoe

Speaking after her first-round win over Li, Keys revealed what she would love to happen for her next match in Australia.

“If I could never play at 1 a.m. ever again for the rest of my life, I would be so happy,” she said.

“I feel like I have played so many late matches in my career.

“While they’ve been very fun and I have won a lot of them and the crowd has been great, I would love to see some 11 a.m. people for the rest of my career, it’s just a great time slot.”

Keys went on to explain how an 11 a.m start would aid her pre-match preparations.

“You know when you’re going to go on, there’s no chaos,” she said.

“You go to bed at a totally normal time.

“Yeah, I feel like I’ve lived my night owl life, and I would really love to be that first-on slot for the rest of time.”

Her opinions vastly differ from those of another American star, Frances Tiafoe, who recently said the complete opposite after struggling with illness during his first-round win on Monday morning.

“Probably overly hydrated, mixing a lot of electrolytes, I mean, it’s 11:00, it’s a tough time,” he said.

“We played for four hours, all of lunch we are playing through it, we ate at 10:00, I mean, playing 11:00, three out of five.

“I wasn’t too happy about that, to be honest with you, I feel like it’s really tough to prepare.”

Tiafoe beat Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech in five sets, and the 26-year-old was relieved to get over the line in a match he thinks was longer than it should’ve been.

“It is what it is, I’m happy I got through,” he said.

“Happy everyone came out and enjoyed the four hours of tennis that was way longer than it should have been.”

Tiafoe was then asked if he had requested to play his matches at a certain time.

“I didn’t request anything,” he said.

“I think you guys know I’m more of a night owl out here.

“I would have liked third, but, you know, when they schedule it, you play.”

How far could Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe go at the 2025 Australian Open?

Keys and Tiafoe both made their way through to the second round of the 2025 Australian Open, but how likely are they to make a deep run in the year’s first Major tournament?

The WTA star has previously enjoyed success in Melbourne, having qualified for two previous semi-finals, and has scored more wins at the Australian Open than anyone else in her ‘section’ of the draw.

In a competitive section with four former semi-finalists, Keys has more wins than all of her potential opponents that could stand in her way of a place in the quarter-finals.

On the other hand, Tiafoe will be setting his sights on a first deep Slam run in Melbourne since he made the last eight six years ago.

There could be a massive roadblock in his way in the third round, however, as he may well come up against hot prospect Joao Fonseca.

Fonseca beat Andrey Rublev in straight sets to book his place in the second round, as the young Brazilian made the tennis world take notice.

Tiafoe will be wary of becoming the qualifier’s second big scalp of the tournament but will first focus on his second round tie against Fabian Marozsan on Thursday, January 16.

Keys will play her second round match on the same day, against Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse.