Madison Keys is cautiously optimistic that she has found a way out of the “deep, dark pit of despair” that stalled her career, as the former Flushing Meadows finalist heads into the Australian Open in a confident mood after winning in Adelaide on Saturday.
Keys is to take on 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin in the first round at Melbourne Park after her straight-sets win over Alison Riske delivered the 26-year-old her first title since 2019 at the Adelaide International 2 warm-up event.
Keys, who rose to seventh in the world rankings in 2016, said she would look to bring elements of her performances in Adelaide into her match against Kenin.
Photo: AFP
“I think the biggest thing that I’m going to do is just remind myself what I was thinking and what I was focusing on this week, continuing to do that,” the American said on Saturday. “Obviously, that’s easier said than done. Just knowing from what I was thinking about last year and the deep, dark pit of despair that I put myself into because of that, I don’t want to go back to that.”
“I don’t want to let myself borderline hate being on the tennis court and hate competing. If I let myself think that way, that’s where it goes,” she added.
Keys won her first Tour title at Eastbourne as a 19-year-old in 2014 and reached the Australian Open semi-finals a year later. She progressed to the US Open final in 2017, but lost an all-American match-up against Sloane Stephens.
The pressure to stay in the upper echelons of the sport eventually took its toll, she said, adding that she would wake up in the middle of the night thinking about defending her ranking.
She continues to fight to keep her thoughts in check.
“I just had to talk myself off of the ledge of it doesn’t really matter,” said Keys, who jumped 36 places in the rankings to 51st after her win in Adelaide.
“All that really matters is going out the next day and competing the best that you can,” she said. “It’s definitely something that I’m having to actively almost fight myself against, but I just know for my mental well-being that’s what I have to do.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely