Madison Keys Reveals Mental Toughness Behind Semi-Final Win

Madison Keys has revealed the mental toughness behind her semi-final win over Iga Swiatek, saying she didn't want to have any regrets about not giving it her all.

Madison Keys, the 29-year-old American 19th seed, has credited her personal growth and development of a bolder approach to her game for her stunning semi-final win over Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open. Keys saved a match point to clinch a thrilling 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 victory over the Polish second seed, setting up a final showdown with Aryna Sabalenka. Keys' win was a testament to her newfound mindset, which she has been working on since her semi-final defeat to Sabalenka at the US Open two years ago.

Keys revealed that her loss to Sabalenka in the US Open semi-finals was a turning point for her, teaching her the importance of taking chances and not having regrets. “I've been doing a lot of personal work with all of that. One of the big things, after I lost to Aryna at the US Open, I felt like I tried to play safe and I wasn't playing how I wanted to in the big moments. That felt so bad,” Keys told reporters. She realized that playing it safe was not her natural game, and that she needed to be more aggressive and take risks to succeed.

Keys explained that she has been working on embracing her natural game and not holding back, even if it means taking risks and facing uncertainty. “I felt like if I can go out and do what I want to do and really just be uncomfortable at times and go for it and play the way I play my best tennis, and I lose, then I can walk away and say, 'Okay, I did my best, she beat me, that's fine',” Keys said. She emphasized the importance of not having regrets and being true to herself, both on and off the court. “I didn't want to be in the same situation where I looked back and thought 'Man, I should have gone for it.' I didn't want to have any regrets for not really laying it all out there.”

Madison Keys reflected on her mindset shift, revealing that she didn't want to have any regrets about not giving it her all. ”I didn't want to be in the same situation where I looked back and thought 'Man, I should have gone for it.' I didn't want to have any regrets for not really laying it all out there.” This newfound approach has propelled Keys to the Australian Open final, where she will face Aryna Sabalenka.

Iga Swiatek's defeat in the semi-finals means that Sabalenka, the reigning champion, will retain her world number one ranking and aim for a 'threepeat' at the Australian Open. Keys is aware of the challenge that lies ahead, praising Sabalenka's fearless approach to the game. “What's really impressive is her mentality. Her ability to always go for it, no matter what the score is, is impressive,” Keys said of Sabalenka. “She plays such fearless tennis. She has the ability to play so well that way. It's unique.”

Keys also acknowledged the pressure that Sabalenka's playing style puts on her opponents. “Not only is that impressive on her side, but it puts a bit more pressure on opponents where you know you're always going to have to try to win the point because she's never going to just play passive and give you an easy point,” Keys explained. This mindset will be crucial in Keys' bid to seal a second win over Sabalenka in their sixth meeting on Saturday.