How Madison Keys built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Madison Keys is a highly accomplished American professional tennis player, achieving a career-high ranking of world No. 5. Her notable achievements include winning ten WTA Tour-level singles titles. She secured a major victory at the 2025 Australian Open, defeating Aryna Sabalenka. Additionally, Keys reached the final of the 2017 US Open.
1999: Serena Williams Achievement
In 1999, Serena Williams achieved a top ten ranking before Madison Keys reached the same milestone in 2016.
2007: Junior Tennis Success
In 2007, at age 12, Madison Keys achieved a 19-0 record in girls' 12s matches and won the 12-and-under Junior Orange Bowl.
January 2009: Copa del Café Victory
In January 2009, Madison Keys, at age 13, won the Copa del Café in Costa Rica, becoming the first American winner of the girls' event in 26 years.
February 2009: Turns Pro and WTA Debut
In February 2009, Madison Keys turned professional on her 14th birthday and made her WTA Tour debut a few months later, defeating Alla Kudryavtseva.
March 2011: Miami Open Wild Card
In March 2011, Madison Keys received a wild card into the Miami Open, marking another step in her early professional career.
2011: Full-Time Pro Tour
After the 2011 US Open, Madison Keys transitioned to the pro tour full-time and was ranked No. 16 in the ITF junior rankings.
2011: Coaching Change
In 2011, Madison Keys switched coaches to Adam Peterson after six years at the Evert Tennis Academy.
2012: Second-Fastest Average Forehand and Backhand Speeds
Analysis of Australian Open data from 2012 to 2016 found that Madison Keys had the second-fastest average forehand and backhand speeds of all players.
2012: Australian Open Debut
In 2012, Madison Keys competed at the Australian Open but was unable to advance past the first round.
2013: Top 100 WTA Ranking
In 2013, Madison Keys entered the top 100 of the WTA rankings at the age of 17, marking an early milestone in her professional career.
2013: Tour-Level Focus
In 2013, Madison Keys focused on tour-level events, reaching her first WTA quarterfinal at the Sydney International and entering the top 100 of the WTA rankings.
2014: Fastest Average Groundstroke Speed at French Open
At the 2014 French Open, Madison Keys had the fastest average groundstroke speed of any player at 78.9 miles per hour (127.0 km/h).
2014: Walkover at French Open
In 2014, Madison Keys received a walkover in the second round of the French Open.
2014: First WTA Tour Title and High Serve Speed
In 2014, Madison Keys was clocked serving at up to 126 miles per hour (203 km/h) on the road to her first WTA Tour title.
2015: Coaching Team Changes
Before the start of the 2015 season, Lindsay Davenport and her husband Jon Leach joined Madison Keys's coaching team. Keys left all three at the end of the year.
2015: Fifth Fastest Serve at US Open
In 2015, Madison Keys recorded her serving at 124 miles per hour (200 km/h) at the US Open, which was good for the fifth fastest serve.
2015: Australian Open Semifinal Breakthrough
In early 2015, Madison Keys had her first major breakthrough at a Grand Slam, reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open as a teenager.
2016: Second-Fastest Average Forehand and Backhand Speeds
Analysis of Australian Open data from 2012 to 2016 found that Madison Keys had the second-fastest average forehand and backhand speeds of all players.
2016: Ambassador for Fearlessly Girl
In 2016, Madison Keys co-hosted the first summit for Fearlessly Girl in her hometown of Rock Island.
2016: Top 10 WTA Ranking
In 2016, Madison Keys debuted in the top 10 of the WTA rankings, becoming the first American woman to reach this milestone since Serena Williams 17 years earlier.
2016: Top Serve Percentage and Aces
In 2016, Madison Keys finished third in percentage of points won on serve and hit the third-most aces with 300.
2016: Coaching Changes and WTA Finals Debut
In 2016, Madison Keys hired Jesse Levine, then Thomas Hogstedt as coaches. She debuted at the WTA Finals.
2017: Reunited with Davenport and Major Final at US Open
At the beginning of 2017, Madison Keys reunited with Lindsay Davenport as coach and reached her first major final at the US Open.
2017: Power compared to Serena Williams
In 2017, Chris Evert compared Madison Keys' power at 18 years old to that of Serena Williams, noting Keys' serve was close to Serena's in terms of power.
2017: CoCo Vandeweghe Top Ten Debut
In 2017, CoCo Vandeweghe followed Keys with her own top ten debut.
2017: US Open Final Appearance
In 2017, Madison Keys and Sloane Stephens faced each other in the US Open final, marking the first time since 2005 that American women other than the Williams sisters contested a major singles final.
2017: US Open Finalist
In 2017, Madison Keys reached the final of the US Open, marking a significant achievement in her career.
2017: Wilson Ultra Racket Launch
In the middle of 2017, Madison Keys helped launch the Wilson Ultra line of rackets and specifically used the Ultra Tour model.
May 2018: Split with Dieter Kindlmann
In May 2018, Madison Keys ended her partnership with coach Dieter Kindlmann.
June 2018: Top 10 Return
After winning the Cincinnati Open, Keys returned to the top 10 for the first time since June 2018.
2018: Partnership with Acuvue
In 2018, Madison Keys partnered with the contact lens brand Acuvue.
2018: Sloane Stephens Top Ten Debut
In 2018, Sloane Stephens followed Keys with her own top ten debut.
2019: Reunited with Juan Todero and Clay Court Title
In 2019, Madison Keys went back to her former coach Juan Todero and won her first clay court title.
2019: Charleston Open Title
In 2019, Madison Keys won one title on clay at the Charleston Open.
February 2020: Relaunch of Fearlessly Girl as Kindness Wins
In February 2020, Madison Keys relaunched Fearlessly Girl into a nonprofit organization called Kindness Wins.
January 2022: Coached by Georgi Rumenov Payakov
Since January 2022 Madison Keys was Coached by Georgi Rumenov Payakov.
June 2023: Coached by Bjorn Fratangelo
As of June 2023 Madison Keys is coached by her then-fiancé (now husband) and former professional tennis player Bjorn Fratangelo.
2024: End of Wilson Racket Sponsorship
Wilson was Madison Keys's racket sponsor until 2024.
2025: Switch to Yonex Racket and First Grand Slam Title
As of the Australian Open 2025, Madison Keys changed her racket model to Yonex Ezone, with which she won the first Grand Slam title in her career.
2025: Australian Open Triumph
In 2025, Madison Keys achieved a major career milestone by winning the Australian Open, defeating Aryna Sabalenka.