Madison Keys is treating herself to an ungodly kaleidoscopic handful of Sour Patch Kids, a well-deserved reward for her efficient 6-2, 6-4 opening-round win over Dutchwoman Arantxa Rus at the US Open.
Now a half-dozen years removed from the biggest night of her professional tennis-playing career, an appearance alongside tour pal and countrywoman Sloane Stephens in the 2017 US Open final, the Illinois-born baseliner comes off as someone who’s at peace with her place in this world.
Maybe it’s her engagement to fellow pro Bjorn Fratangelo, someone familiar with the day-in, day-out grind of tour life. Maybe it’s the Kindness Wins initiative she launched as a vehicle to spread positivity both in and around the sports world. Or maybe it’s her newfound ability to take a step back and breathe on those days when a setback, a loss, starts to grow outsized.
“The biggest thing is when I’m happy and trying to have less pressure on myself, it opens things up for me to be able to play some really good tennis,” says Keys, who’s fast closing in on her 100th Grand Slam match triumph. (Her win over Rus put her at 98.)
“It’s obviously a lot easier said than done. I’m just constantly trying to stay in the moment and not get ahead of myself, and not make things bigger than they are. That really helps.”
How often does she need to go through that routine?
“Like, 10 times a day,” she laughs, flashing the familiar, Cheshire-wide smile tennis fans were first introduced to in 2009, the year she turned pro on her 14th birthday.
On the surface, the final Saturday of the 2017 US Open should summon the fondest memories of her nearly decade-and-a-half-long tenure on the tour. But it was a bittersweet, emotional day; a day that ended in tears and a lopsided 6-3, 6-0 defeat. Her fairytale moment—one that was teased since Sports Illustrated hyped her heavy-hitting game in its ‘Where Will They Be?’ forecast (“Her goal is to win a Grand Slam title. Which of the four does she want most?”)—wasn’t supposed to go this way.
Afterward, Stephens embraced her friend at the net, the tears flowing. Keys would confess: “I definitely think my play came down to nerves and all of that, and I just don’t think I handled the occasion perfectly.”
Today, sitting in tiny Interview Room 2 inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, far removed from the spotlight of that September evening in 2017, she’s better equipped for the kind of anxiety that accompanies such weighty opportunities.
“It happens to everyone,” she says. “It’s knowing it’s going to happen, dealing with it, then moving on.”
New York, of course, brings an added layer of manic energy. It’s hard enough to concentrate on the task at hand when you’re navigating traffic and crowds and sponsor obligations.
“Especially here, there’s always some crazy results, crazy matches. Anything can happen,” says the 17th seed, who’s making her 12th appearance in Flushing Meadows. “I think you just kind of know that the people who are handling the chaos that is New York the best are usually the ones who are doing well. I feel like I’ve always tried to really embrace all of it. I always end up really loving it here because I’m not trying to fight against it; I’m really just kind of welcoming it. I feel like when you do that, you put yourself in the best position every single time you’re on the court.”
Now 28, the seven-time WTA Tour titlist hasn’t let go of her Grand Slam dreams. Should it happen this year in Flushing Meadows, where she’ll next face 2009 US Open semifinalist Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium in the second round, Keys would be overjoyed. But she’s not picky.
“I’ll take any of ‘em,” she smiles. “Any of the four would be fine.”
And with that, she polishes off a few more Sour Patch Kids and heads off to her next stop, very much in the moment, not getting ahead of herself.
