Madison Keys Says She is Yet To ‘Make It’ As A Player Despite Run To French Open Quarters

There are some players who save their best form until the big events and Madison Keys is one of those who falls into that category.

The 24-year-old has booked a spot the second week of a grand slam in six of her past seven appearances. During 2018 she reached the quarter-finals of three majors. An achievement that was only matched on the WTA Tour by Angelique Kerber. Overall, she currently has a win-loss record of 67-26 in the majors. Highlighted by her run to the final of the US Open back in 2017.

“It’s always special and stressful and an experience every single time.” Keys said about playing in a grand slam. “It’s definitely something that I’m happy that I’ve gotten through to fourth rounds and quarter-finals now a couple times now. But it never, never feels routine.”

Keys’ latest triumph was a 6-2, 6-4, win over Katerina Siniakova in the fourth round of the French Open on Monday. The player who knocked world No.1 Naomi Osaka out of the tournament. Despite getting broken twice, she she able to get out of trouble with the help of 26 winners.

Currently ranked 14th in the world and a former top 10 player, Keys is portrayed as America’s next hope after the Williams sisters. Along with Sloane Stephens. Her resume includes four WTA titles and six wins over top five players. Whilst those achievements has rightfully earned her praise, Keys is not contempt. Going as far as saying that she is yet to ‘make it’ on the tour.

“I think feeling like you have had success and feeling like you have made it are two different things.” She explains.
“I have obviously had some success, and I’m happy with a lot of the achievements that I have had in my career, but I still have a lot of goals and things that I want to accomplish.’
“So until those get ticked off, then I don’t think I feel like I would say that I have made it.”

Like her rivals on the tour, one of Keys’ goals is to win a major title. Besides, Serena Williams, the last American woman to win the French Open was Jennifer Capriati back in 2001. Hey clay-court season has been somewhat mixed heading into Roland Garros. Defeating Caroline Wozniacki to win the Volvo Open in Charleston, before suffering two early defeats at tournaments in Europe.

“I think in the past I have tried to go either stay as aggressive as I would on any other surface or go the complete other direction and get a little bit more passive and try to rally a bit more.” She commented about playing on the clay.
“It’s more just finding a middle ground than understanding that more balls are going to come back and not to panic or press more. That’s been the biggest thing.”

In the quarter-finals, Keys will face a tricky opponent in the shape of Ash Barty. Somebody who she lost in straight sets to earlier this year during a Fed Cup tie.

“I feel like clay actually suits her game really well with her kick serve and slice and all that. It’s something I’m going to have to have a game plan set to be ready for her.” Keys previewed.

Keys in grand slams since 2015