Madison Keys reveals a loss to Serena Williams that occurred a decade in the past prompted an enormous change as that specific day she promised herself she would by no means once more permit herself to be tight and scared to play her sport within the largest moments.
In 2015, a teenage Keys upset Agnieszka Radwanska to make her first US Open round-of-16.
As a reward, she obtained to satisfy one of many best ever on the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Nevertheless it did not go properly as Williams claimed a routine 6-3 6-3 win.
Now, the 29-year-old American is a Grand Slam champion after beating Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 2-6 7-5 and stopping the Belarusian from finishing a three-peat on the Australian Open.
Keys: I by no means once more needed to have that remorse
“I feel after I misplaced to Serena on the US Open within the semifinals (it was really within the round-of-16), the largest factor that I walked away with from that match was considering I by no means wish to remorse not taking part in the large moments the way in which that I wish to play them ever once more,” the world No. 7 said on the WTA Insider podcast.
“I do not care if I lose, I do not care if I hit the forehand into the again fence, but when I hit it the way in which that I needed to hit it and I used to be going after it, I can stay with that.”
Madison Keys© Australian Open/YouTube
In the meantime, Keys met Williams within the Australian Open semifinal earlier that 12 months and it was a tighter match.
Nevertheless, the previous 23-time Grand Slam champion nonetheless received it with a 7-6 (5) 6-2 scoreline.
Since she talked about that the loss that modified her mindset got here within the semifinal, she was possibly even referring to that match.
Both approach, it helped Keys and he or she was congratulated by Williams after her Australian Open triumph because the American tennis legend hailed the 29-year-old as a terrific instance of why one ought to by no means give up.
