American tennis star Madison Keys is heading into Roland Garros with a fresh perspective—but without changing her mindset—despite winning her first Grand Slam title at the age of 30.
Speaking ahead of the WTA 1000 event in Rome, Keys said her approach to major tournaments remains steady, even after achieving the biggest milestone of her career.
“To be honest, I feel the same as I did at other Grand Slams,” she said. “Of course, winning one is special, but it doesn’t change the fact that I want to win the next one too. You enjoy it for a moment, then move on.”
Adjusting to Clay and Court Conditions
Now a seasoned competitor, Keys also reflected on her journey adapting her game to clay—a surface that once gave her trouble.
“It took me years to figure out how I wanted to play on clay,” she admitted. “Some years I was too passive, other years too aggressive. I think in the last two years I’ve found a balance.”
Keys feels comfortable playing in Rome, especially after competing at high-altitude Madrid.
“Coming back to sea level is a relief,” she said. “The ball isn’t flying at you like it does in Madrid. In Rome, it depends more on weather. When it’s sunny, the ball bounces high. If it’s rainy or cold, the court plays slower and heavier.”
On Motherhood and Support on the Tour
Keys also praised the growing number of mothers returning to the WTA Tour, calling it a sign of resilience and progress.
“It’s amazing to see so many women coming back after having kids. It shows how strong and determined they are,” she said. “The tour has done a great job supporting that. I don’t know if that will be me someday, but we’ll see.”
She also noted how enjoyable it has been to work with her husband and coach, Bjorn Fratangelo, over the past two years. “It’s nice seeing your husband every day,” she added with a smile.
Challenges and the Evolution of the Game
Keys discussed the difficulty of playing against injured opponents, saying it can be mentally tricky when you’re unsure if a match might end early or if the opponent will take more risks due to their condition.
She also shared her mixed thoughts on electronic line calling.
“It’s great because there are no arguments, but it still has a margin of error,” she said. “Sometimes the machine says a ball is in when you clearly see it’s out. I’m not sure what my stance is yet.”
Finally, Keys noted how tennis has become more open and physically demanding across both the women’s and men’s tours.
“There are 20 different players who could win any tournament now. That didn’t used to be the case,” she said. “The physical level has gone up. Everyone is investing more in fitness and recovery. Players are faster, stronger, and staying healthier for longer.”
Keys heads to Roland Garros for the first time as a Grand Slam champion, but with the same mindset and hunger that’s defined her career.
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