US OPEN

September 6, 2023

Madison Keys

Press Conference

M. KEYS/M. Vondrousova

6-1, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Tremendous performance. Two sets, hour and 26 minutes. Once again, started off with a dominating first set. What are you telling yourself in the changeover so that you're reset mentally to get ready for set No. 2?

MADISON KEYS: I knew that she would probably raise her level, so just really focusing on trying to keep doing what was working and not get rattled if there is longer points or she comes up with some really good shots. Just, you know, try to keep going, keep the momentum going, and not panic.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Just in terms of the game plan tonight, seemed like short points, go to the net, whether it worked or not, just to keep things short. Can you talk through just a little bit of what you tried to do. And then also on the serve, your percentage is pretty high for the tournament and I'm curious whether or not that's taking speed off or you're just grooving it and hitting it the way you're wanting to hit it.

MADISON KEYS: I have been really focusing on the serve. It's funny, Bjorn has been wanting me to go after it more so he said if I hit a 121 I get anything I want. I hit a 119 tonight so I was so close.

No, honestly, it's just I feel like I've just been trying to pick my spots and be really smart with it.

I think these courts, for the most part, are kind of taking the ball pretty well. So there is really no immediate need to overdo things.

So I have just been trying to be really smart and more placement than anything. Kind of the game plan tonight was try to get to the net when I could. Definitely not in any sort of rush to get to the net but just try to set points up and kind of have the momentum of going forward. I feel like I play a little bit, I guess, more controlled aggressive when I'm trying to build points to get to the net instead of trying to hit a straight winner.

Q. I'm wondering, leaving aside the fact it was on a completely different surface but obviously you face Aryna again coming up, what will you take from your match at Wimbledon?

MADISON KEYS: I think there is obviously a lot of things that I can take from the match. The No. 1 thing being she beat me (smiling).

But I think that there is still going to be similar patterns and tendencies that she has that I can definitely lean into.

And also, in the second set at Wimbledon, I was up a break and I had chances. I was definitely in the match and had opportunities, so I think even though I lost that match, it wasn't, like, you know, I wasn't in the match and I had no idea what I was doing out there.

So I think there is a lot of positives that I can take out of that match and try to implement tomorrow.

Q. Before we continue to talk about one of your more clutch performances considering the breakpoints you saved against her, at the beginning of the match, that fan unfortunately having that incident and you seemed to help out by giving, offering a bottle of water, can you just talk about staying locked in and that fan is now doing at least okay. Your whole thoughts about that whole moment just to start that match.

MADISON KEYS: Obviously not how you want to start a match, but I feel like in situations like that I can't really do many things other than offer towels and water. I mean, it just felt like the right thing to do.

I checked in with the doctor after, and he's doing a lot better. So obviously not how you want to have to start a match, but reality of it is you kind of have to get right back to it pretty quickly.

Was luckily able to kind of re-settle and then move forward with the match.

Q. At the opposite end of that, of the extremes, in the fifth game of the first set when you were trying to save breakpoint at 4-Love up, and that net cord, having that high bounce when you thought it possibly was going to go over to your side, only to trickle over on her side, and you eventually win that game, was that the wildest net cord that you have ever played that you can think of?

MADISON KEYS: If it's not the wildest it's definitely in the top three (smiling).

Q. On that point, you were always conceding the point. Like she was just going to either hit a winner or it was going to land on your side. When you actually win that point somehow, and then she can't break you, does it ever, in your mind, as the match is going on, say if she didn't get that one she's not going to get any against me? I can sort of defend any of these?

MADISON KEYS: I mean, obviously it was really a really lucky point to win. Quite honestly I shouldn't have won that point, but I think there were a few points that I also gave to her tonight.

So I think realistically in a match you have points like that that go back and forth. I feel like you either have points that go back and forth like that or you have none. So tonight it was kind of a thing where they went back and forth, but I got pretty lucky there, and just took advantage of that.

Q. You have spoken before about the emotional grind of the tour and of the majors. What role do you think emotion has played in your most recent successes?

MADISON KEYS: I think I have had just really good mindset going into the matches. Have been trying to be maybe just a little bit more emotionally balanced. I think in the past, just having kind of more of the highs and lows leading into the matches and getting a lot more nervous and things like that has ultimately led to either being more tired the next round or things like that.

But I think, you know, the last couple of months I have been just pretty even-keeled, and being able to consistently do that day in and day out I think leads to good things.

Q. You spoke a moment ago about facing Aryna. How would you describe her as a player? What do you think are the biggest similarities in your games?

MADISON KEYS: I think she's obviously a phenomenal tennis player. There is a reason she's going to be No. 1 on Monday. She has a ton of power. She serves really well. To be quite honest, the year that she was able to have with the serving troubles that she had, I think it just shows she's an incredible competitor and fighter. I mean, she's really, really good (smiling).

I think tomorrow it's definitely going to be a lot of who can get in charge of the point as early as possible, because I feel like both of our games, if you get behind in the point it's a lot harder to get back to neutral and then get back on the aggressive side.

Q. Can I ask you what was on the note from Sloane?

MADISON KEYS: She just said she's basically rooting for me, proud of me, and just to keep going (smiling).

Q. In general, you're into a semifinal. A lot of them in your career. Only really mentioning it at the moment that you're into a major semifinal. Is there any sense that people forgot about Madison Keys? Jess Pegula was kind of saying that we all did. Was any of that motivation at all in terms of how well you have been playing and kind of coming in under the radar?

MADISON KEYS: Honestly, it's been great. I love that none of you talk about me anymore. I don't have press requests. It's a lot off of my plate. I kind of just come in and leave and no complaints.

So you guys want to keep not talking about me, more than happy. (Laughter.)

Q. Given the success you have had at slams, your personality, why do you think you have been able to sustain such success at all the slams, all surfaces, for such a long time?

MADISON KEYS: I think that it's obviously I just kind of find another gear when it comes to slams. I think part of it is that I put a little bit more pressure on myself, which is a good thing and also a bad thing sometimes.

But, I mean, I have just kind of peaked at the right time, I guess. I haven't had too many, like, disappointing exits at slams. I have had a handful obviously, but I feel like when it comes to slams, I'm just able to kind of find another gear, even if I haven't been playing well.

Q. How do you put good pressure on yourself then without it being too much?

MADISON KEYS: I think sometimes I do it well and sometimes I do it really badly, but I think it's just kind of reminding yourself, like, these are the matches that, like, you grow up dreaming of. These are the moments you want to be in. So that kind of pressure of it's the big stage, but also just the reminder of this is literally what we have all dreamed of. These are the moments that you're practicing for and you're playing for and you're constantly trying to get back to.

So it's a little bit of pressure, but it's also a little bit of a freeing moment of, I mean, I'm just going to go out and try to do the best that I can.