AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 18, 2025

Madison Keys

Press Conference

M. KEYS/D. Collins

6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Never easy facing a friend, but I bet you're glad to get that done in straight sets. Your thoughts on your performance today?

MADISON KEYS: I think I played overall pretty well. I think I definitely served really well, and I think I'm most happy with being able to kind of get back on track after getting broken early in that second set.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Just quickly, what did you make of the crowd? Pretty clearly from the moment you walked out on court, it was pro you and very anti Danielle. How did you find it on the other side?

MADISON KEYS: Yeah, I think you kind of summed it up. I mean, I think I kind of knew what it was going to be like going out there, but it was just, yeah, I think the crowd was pretty pro me and not for Danielle. I think they made that pretty clear from the start.

I think I was glad, I was happy with myself just staying focused on myself and play some decent tennis.

Q. Did you find it a bit awful or distasteful at all, or is it just sort of the kind of thing you can expect sometimes?

MADISON KEYS: I think it was expected a little bit. Yeah, I think it was expected, and it was kind of everything that I anticipated.

But, again, I think I was just really happy that I expected it, I was prepared for it. I just tried to take care of my side of the net.

Q. Did fans used to boo Danielle like that when you guys were playing at 12-year-olds, or was it a bit calmer back then?

MADISON KEYS: It was a lot calmer back then on the junior circuit. Maybe in some ways. Maybe in other ways it was more intense. Our parents weren't really into booing their children.

Q. What is Australian Open like for you? You've had some great runs here. This year another good run. What is it like for you when you're playing here?

MADISON KEYS: I always really enjoy playing here. I typically find that the courts play pretty fast, which I've always typically liked.

I think I always just feel pretty confident coming off of a good offseason and feeling like I've put in a lot of really good work.

I think I also really thrive when I have some time at home and I'm able to kind of reset and get ready for the new year. I think there's just a lot of really good things about coming to Australia and starting the season.

Q. How well placed do you feel to go deep and even contend this year because you seem in fantastic form?

MADISON KEYS: I think I can definitely continue to play well. I think I've done a pretty good job at continuing to do what I've been doing well. I think it's hard sometimes to come often of a title win and just get kind of thrown right into a Grand Slam. I think that's a little bit of a blessing and a curse, and it's something I'm trying to navigate.

I think if I can continue to do the things that I've been doing well and really just kind of keep my head down and try to stay focused on myself, I think I can continue to play some good tennis and hopefully be here for another week.

Q. Elena is a pretty big hitter, who you have up next. What have you got to get right against her?

MADISON KEYS: She's obviously a phenomenal tennis player. Already won a Grand Slam. Made a final of another. I mean, I would say she probably has one of the best serves on tour, and she's a big hitter.

I mean, it's going to be one of those matches where I think it's going to be a few points here or there. It's one of those days where you can't really afford to have too many lulls because she's not really one to kind of let you back in a match.

I think it's going to really be a match of who can try to get on offense earlier in the point and then who can kind of sustain their level for longer.