What Serena Williams said about Madison Keys back in 2013 and the wish she had which came true

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Madison Keys was praised by compatriot Serena Williams during the early years of her career.

The 29-year-old followed in the footsteps of Williams, who carved out a legacy as arguably tennis’ greatest player.

She has now joined the 43-year-old in the club of Grand Slam champions after Keys won the 2025 Australian Open.

She is now the fourth American woman to win a Grand Slam after Serena Williams won her 23rd and final major in 2017, and she had every faith Keys will achieve great things in the sport.

Serena Williams shares Madison Keys wish she had back in 2013

Back in 2013, Madison Keys was a teenager on the WTA Tour trying to break into the World’s top 30 and win her first title.

Williams on the other hand, enjoyed one of her most successful years on tour. She won 11 titles in 2013 and started and finished the year as World number one.

During that year’s Wimbledon Championships, Williams was asked about Keys by reporters after she named the 23-time Grand Slam champion as an inspiration.

In response Williams gave a glowing response and she hoped they would be able to play together one day. “Well, I think she’s a wonderful girl. She’s a beautiful girl,” Williams told reporters during a post-match press conference.

“I love seeing, you know, a young American girl doing so well. And she’s so talented. I really am completely impressed by her game.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to play Fed Cup soon and she’ll be on the team, because she hasn’t been on a team when I’ve been on it.”

Did Serena Williams and Madison Keys play together?

Williams’ wish came true as she represented the United States at the 2015 Fed Cup alongside Keys.

They were on a team that also featured Venus Williams, Varvara Lepchenko, Coco Vandeweghe and Taylor Townsend to take on Argentina in Buenos Aires.

The United States had fallen out of the World Group and in order for them to have any chance of returning the following year, they had to defeat Argentina.

This is exactly what happened as Williams won her only match of the tie by defeating María Irigoyen 7-5, 6-0 to help the USA secure 4-1 victory.

Keys did not play in this tie but she witnessed the greatness of the Williams sister, as Venus won her two singles matches while Taylor Townsend and Coco Vandeweghe sealed victory in their doubles match.