Keys on the Australian Open: "Defending a title inevitably puts pressure"

Crowned in Melbourne after a dream run, Madison Keys is preparing to defend, in a little over a month, her very first Grand Slam title.

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Jules Hypolite

le 06/12/2025 à 21h36

1 min to read

Keys

At the beginning of the year, Madison Keys created a sensation at the Australian Open by winning, at 29 years old, the first Grand Slam title of her career.

The American had started her season with a bang by winning a title in Adelaide, before continuing in Melbourne with exceptional level of play. There, she notably eliminated Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, then the world number 1 and two-time defending champion, Aryna Sabalenka, in the final.

"There will inevitably be pressure"

A little over a month before the start of the tournament (January 18-February 1), the world number 7 spoke to journalists about the defending champion status she will have to assume:

"There will inevitably be pressure. It would be crazy to say there won't be any. But I think it all depends on how you approach it. It's obviously a huge achievement and it will be a tremendous honor to arrive for the first time at a Grand Slam with the status of defending champion.

I'm also looking forward to the entire Australian tour. It's always one of my favorite times of the year, so I can't wait to go back. I will use the coming weeks to work on myself, add a few elements to my game. I hope to start my season well."