Madison Keys breaks down at press conference after US Open semifinals loss, garnering support from tennis fans on social media
- Keys bowed out of the tournament on Thursday to No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka
- The 28-year-old Illinoisan won the first set but couldn’t find her grove afterwards
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Madison Keys broke down in tears at a press conference after her semifinals loss at the US Open, leaving fans gutted and rooting for her, as she struggled to contain her emotions post-match.
On Thursday, Keys, 28, lost in three sets to No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka, who will face Coco Gauff for the women’s title on Saturday.
And after her defeat, Keys struggled to put her feelings into words while talking with reporters, and as a result, amassed support from tennis fans on social media.
‘I think everyone at the start of the tournament would be really, really excited to be in the semis. Right now, it sucks,’ Keys said, as she became teary.
The native of Rock Island, Illinois, won the first set, 6-0, before being on the losing end of the last two following two tiebreakers, 6-7 (1) and 6-7 (10-5).
Madison Keys had to fight back tears after her US Open semi-finals loss on Thursday night
Keys – ranked No. 17 – cried at a press conference after losing to No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka
Keys won the first set of Thursday night’s game, 6-0, before losing two tiebreaks to Sabalenka
‘Yeah I just think, being able to take this and turn it into a positive is really possible,’ said Keys before pausing 10 seconds to push back tears. ‘Yeah, there’s a lot to be proud of and there’s still a ton of tennis to be played this season.’
Once the press conference was over, Keys, the No. 17 seed, wept a bit more as she walked off stage.
After coming out of the tunnel with guns blazing, Keys won the first set, 6-0, and led 5-3 in the second. She even served for the match.
Tennis fans on social media gathered around Keys after her brutally honest interview.
‘It’s quite alright to be damn disappointed, to say this sucks big time. Kudos for Mads,’ one user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Fans on X, formerly known as Twitter, gathered around Keys after her display of raw emotions
Sabalenka will next face Coco Gauff – the crowd favorite – on Saturday at Arthur Ashe Stadium
‘What a tough loss for Madison. Some players are never the same after tough losses like this one. I believe that she’ll bounce back, and sometimes a coaching change is needed. Women tennis players always cry on or off the court when they lose big matches, and that’s ok,’ another person tweeted.
‘She did great,’ another fan responded. ‘tough one to lose but this girl is a fighter.’
‘Best I’ve ever seen her play and I’ve been watching her career from the beginning. Nothing to be ashamed of. Hold you head, high Maddy,’ shared a different individual.
‘@Madison_Keys We are proud of what you displayed these last few days. You’ve proven that you’re still one of the best. Keep your head up as many more victories await,’ said another user.
Sabalenka, who won the Australian Open in January, will play against Gauff, the No. 6 seed, on Saturday at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.