MELBOURNE – When Madison Keys decided to undergo psychotherapy, her career found the direction it had been missing: “It’s overwhelmingly necessary.”
After 16 years as a professional, 46 Grand Slam appearances, and a lost final in 2017, Keys captured her first major title. She did it in Australia, defeating world No. 1 and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.
It was a test of resilience for the North American, who took the long road to achieve every tennis player’s dream while confronting her own demons and pressures.
“From a young age, I felt that if I never won a Grand Slam, I wouldn’t live up to what people thought I could be,” Keys admitted. She embarked on a deep, personal journey to confront the expectations she placed on herself, understand how they had affected her, and find a way to make peace with herself.
“(Dreaming with a Slam) was supposed to be something that gave me confidence, but as I got closer and it didn’t happen, it started feeling like, ‘Is this ever going to happen?’ It turned from something positive into a sort of panic,” said the new world No. 7, who had only played one Grand Slam final before this—losing the 2017 US Open to Sloane Stephens 6-3, 6-0 in a match overshadowed by stage fright.
The solution to her struggles was in therapy. “I really committed to it,” the new Melbourne champion said.
First time down the Walk of Champions as a champion!
Enjoy it, @Madison_keys!#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/dLxpRgUlQ2
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2025
According to Keys, the process was about understanding herself, valuing the journey, and realizing life is bigger than winning a Grand Slam. Ironically, it was when she let go of the dream of lifting a major trophy that it finally landed in her hands.
Unlike in the past, when such topics were taboo, Keys openly acknowledged that psychotherapy was the key to overcoming her struggles as an athlete. Mental health has become a recurring conversation on the tour, with players like Naomi Osaka, Dusan Lajovic, and Andrey Rublev also sharing their experiences.
“The stigma around therapy, not just in sports but in general, is starting to fade. I think everyone should be in therapy, no matter what… It’s something I’ll continue to do for the rest of my life. I think it’s overwhelmingly necessary for most people,” Keys stated. She was clear about the impact therapy had on the biggest moment of her career. “Honestly, if I hadn’t done it, I don’t think I’d be here with the Australian Open trophy,” she added.
Keys managed to shed the heavy baggage she had carried from a young age. Without that mental burden, her tennis finally clicked, and in Melbourne, she delivered a flawless tournament. She defeated Danielle Collins, Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina, Iga Swiatek, and Sabalenka in succession—a remarkable demonstration of what can happen in sports when the mind works in harmony with the body.