Madison Keys reveals how going to therapy and having 'very uncomfortable' conversations helped conquer inner demons

Madison Keys admitted that therapy and getting help during the uncomfortable stages of her life helped her reassess her career in a new light. Though she doesn't gauge her success in terms of a Grand Slam, the American won the 2025 Australian Open after defeating the two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

Keys entered the Australian Open as the 19th seed and against all odds made it to the final where she met the World No. 1. Two hours and two minutes later, the 29-year-old conquered the demons of her 2017 US Open defeat to defeat Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.

During her press conference, Madison Keys admitted that there was a point in her career where she measured her career's success by whether she won a Grand Slam or not, however, she revealed what changed that mindset.

"Lots of therapy (smiling). I really kind of bought into it. I think in the past I had always kind of tried to go the sports therapy route where it was more about routine and controlling things you can control and all of that."

She also candidly stated that she avoided being the person who was struggling but that only caused more harm than good.

"I felt like I was always good enough at that, but to really start kind of digging in on how I felt about myself and really being honest with myself about it, it was really hard because I didn't really want to be the person that felt like I was really struggling, but I was starting to really struggle with it."

However, being honest with herself and her near and dear ones and getting therapy helped her take the stress off her mind and Madison Keys said she wouldn't be the Australian Open champion had she not done that.

"So just being really honest and actually getting help and actually talking to someone, and not just about tennis but about how I felt about myself. Again, very uncomfortable. I never really like to be uncomfortable (smiling). I honestly think that had I not done that, then I wouldn't be sitting here."

Keys reached the final of the 2017 US Open but was decimated by her friend Sloane Stephens 3-6, 0-6.

A look into Madison Keys' breathtaking run at the 2025 Australian Open, including wins over Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek

Madison Keys celebrating with her family - Source: Getty

Madison Keys kicked off her 2025 Australian Open run by taking out her compatriot Ann Li 6-4, 7-5 following which she defeated Elena-Gabriela Ruse 7-6(1), 2-6, 7-5. She faced her first big test of the tournament when she faced 10th seed Danielle Collins but passed it in flying colors with a 6-4, 6-4 win.

The American shocked sixth seed Elena Rybakina 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals where she faced 28th seed Elina Svitolina. The American scored a comeback win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the final 4. Keys defeated World No. 2 Iga Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(8) following which she survived the fifth three-set thriller of her campaign to defeat Aryna Sabalenka.

Madison Keys will become the new World No. 7 due to her successful runs at the Adelaide International and the Happy Slam.