Madison Keys is enjoying the best year of her tennis career as she searches for a third WTA title of 2025 at the Madrid Open.
The American star began her year in fine form as Keys won the Adelaide International, taking down her countrywoman Jessica Pegula in the final.
Keys then won her first Grand Slam at the Australian Open, shocking the world’s top two players, Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, on her way to the title.
The 30-year-old is now ranked fifth on the WTA Tour, a career-high she reached thanks to her performances down under.
Appearing in an interview after her latest win at the Madrid Open, Keys was asked whether her victory in Melbourne was life-changing.
Madison Keys says her life stayed ‘pretty much the same’ after winning the 2025 Australian Open
Keys beat Croatia’s Donna Vekic in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, to advance to the quarterfinals of this year’s Madrid Open.
After the match, Keys was asked whether she thought her life had changed after winning her maiden Major title in Australia.
“I don’t think my life really changed,” she said.
“I think more people wanted to talk to me, but honestly, my life has stayed pretty much the same.
“I feel like I’ve been on the tour for so long at this point that it wasn’t going to be something that was, all of a sudden, everything was different.
“But yeah. I think there’s a little more attention, and like I said, more people want to talk to me, but overall it’s kind of the same thing.”
Following her triumph down under, Keys chose not to travel to the Middle East for the WTA 1000 events in Qatar and Dubai.
The decision was praised by some and criticized by others, although she looked to have made the right call when she marked her return to action in Indian Wells by reaching the semi-finals.
Things quickly unraveled, however, as Keys lost to Sabalenka in straight sets, 0-6, 1-6, as the Belarusian brushed her aside en route to the final.
Keys was then shocked by Alexandra Eala in the third round of the Miami Open before losing to Anna Kalinskaya in Charleston.
Traveling to Madrid, Keys returned to winning ways, knocking out Lucia Bronzetti, Kalinskaya and Vekic on her way to the quarterfinals, where she’ll take on Swiatek.
Keys and Swiatek will face off in an Australian Open rematch on Wednesday, April 30.
Madison Keys shares how she and Bjorn Fratangelo balance their coaching relationship and marriage
Keys is coached by her husband, Bjorn Fratangelo, who played a large role in her Melbourne success earlier this year.
Speaking today, Keys shared how the pair balances their coaching and romantic relationship.
“I think we’re pretty good about, when we’re at home, he’s my husband, he’s no longer my coach,” she said.
“I feel like if there are days where things on court were tough or anything and we have to talk about things at home, we usually sit down, we talk about it, we watch video or whatever, and then it’s like, okay, tennis is done, we’re not talking about it anymore.
“But I think we do a good job with that, and he’s my biggest supporter, and I know that he always wants what is best for me, and anything that he’s saying is just coming from a place of just wanting to help me.
“That makes it a lot easier because I never take it personally.”
Fratangelo was a professional tennis player on the ATP Tour between 2012 and 2023, reaching a career-high ranking of 99th in the world.
The American was a well-accomplished junior, winning the 2011 French Open boys title against future Grand Slam champion Dominic Thiem.
Playing his last professional match in 2023, Fratangelo now works alongside his wife, Keys, on a full-time basis, and will be hoping to see her pick up another title later this week in Spain.
The 2025 Madrid Open women’s final will take place on Saturday, May 3.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
