Madison Keys made a strong return to the matchcourt in her first match since winning the Australian Open.
Keys had not competed since the Australian Open, where she won her first Grand Slam title after beating Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
Since beating the Belarusian, Sabalenka has praised Keys’ forehand and suggested that it could be the best on the WTA Tour.
The American elected to skip the Middle Eastern swing and take some time away from the matchcourt, with Keys still reaching a career-high in the meantime.
It has been a strong start to the season for American WTA players, with Keys backing her compatriots at Indian Wells.
Madison Keys planning to change accomodation for Indian Wells in 2026
Keys beat Anastasia Potapova, 6-3 6-0, in an impressive first match back on the WTA Tour at Indian Wells.
After continuing her winning streak, Keys headed to her post-match press conference, where she was asked about what her living situation at Indian Wells this year.
Lots of players decide to rent houses at Indian Wells, but Keys has revealed that she is staying in a hotel.
However, the 30-year-old has suggested that she is likely to rent a house next year, as she wants to make the tournament feel more like home.
“I am in a hotel, thinking about doing a house next year (smiling),” said Keys.
She continued, “I think it’s just being able to have weeks where you can stay in a house, it just feels a little bit more at home.
“I think especially this kind of swing, there’s a lot going on, and it would just be kind of nice to have a little bit more, just like a little bit more of a level of comfort instead of just being in a hotel. We basically live in hotels.
“So I think taking advantage of the weeks where you can, where you can have a house and you can kind of pretend that you have a normal life, I think it’s really nice to be able to take advantage of that.”
Madison Keys reveals what it was like to hear herself introduced as a Grand Slam champion
With it being Keys’ first tournament since the Australian Open, she had not experienced what it feels like to be introduced onto court as a Grand Slam champion until Indian Wells.
When asked about this experience, Keys admitted to enjoying hearing it, but declared that she was fully in the zone at that point.
“Yeah, it’s a title I’m getting used to and very happy to be associated with (smiling),” said Keys. “It’s still something getting used to it a little bit, but definitely a good position to be in.”
She added, “Very much thinking about the match at that point (smiling).”
After winning her first match at Indian Wells, Keys will now play 28th seed Elise Mertens as she looks to continue her impressive run.
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