"I blacked out at some point" - Madison Keys gets real after overcoming Iga Swiatek in Australian Open SF thriller

Madison Keys has reached another major milestone in her career by making it to the 2025 Australian Open final. However, the journey wasn't easy, as she admitted to feeling like she blacked out during her semifinal match against Iga Swiatek.

Keys enjoyed a fairytale run in Melbourne, entering the tournament with great confidence after winning the Adelaide International. She began her campaign with a commanding victory over compatriot Ann Li, followed by wins against Elena-Gabriela Ruse, Danielle Collins, former finalist Elena Rybakina, and Elina Svitolina, before setting up a clash with Swiatek.

On Thursday, January 23, the American faced the Pole and secured a hard-fought victory in two hours and 35 minutes, winning 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (8). The former World No. 1 struggled to find her rhythm throughout the match.

Later, Madison Keys shared during her on-court interview that despite losing the first set, she felt very confident heading into the second, adding:

"Even though I lost the first set, I felt like I was playing some better tennis at the end of it. I felt like I actually had a little bit of momentum going into the second set. To be able to kind of run with that second set really just kind of be able to settle was really nice. In the third set, it was just so up and down and there were so many points and break point chances that neither one of us got."

The No. 19 seed added:

"I felt like I blacked out at some point and she was out there running around."