Madison Keys has already won one Grand Slam title this year, and will be hoping to recapture that fairytale form as she returns to US Open action this weekend.
A former finalist at this event too, this 30-year-old has cultivated quite an impressive career, laden with huge victories.
And, she seems to be returning to New York with a level of relaxation that could really help her amidst all the busyness and noise surrounding this particular tournament.
Asked how she felt about the notoriously loud and brash atmosphere of the US Open, she was rather frank in her assessment.
After all, as an American, she must be somewhat used to it. And yet, she still outlined one issue that at times prohibits her play.
Madison Keys rates the US Open atmosphere
Speaking to reporters, one wondered whether the noise from the crowd and the expectation they bring ever affected her play.
Keys replied: “I personally don’t think I ever really struggle with it. You know if you’re playing on Ashe it’s going to be loud, especially a night match.
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images
“I think the only thing is sometimes you can’t hear your box as they’re trying to tell you things. You have to learn sign language pretty quickly, and sometimes you fail. That’s probably the hardest thing that I have to deal with.
“And I will say you don’t always get to hear the sound of the ball anymore, so I think that adds a little bit of a unique challenge. But I also think once you’re out there you get pretty used it.”
She then briefly explained why it remains her favourite event regardless: “ I mean, being an American, obviously your home slam makes it a lot easier to be your favourite. But I just love the energy. I love playing on Ashe. It’s very loud, and I know some people don’t love that. But I just always think that it’s definitely kind of, like, the loudest, rowdiest crowd that you can play in front of. I think it’s really fun.”
Keys concluded by revealing what it’s really like to play in a stadium as huge and intimidating as Arthur Ashe, noting: “It’s definitely very, very large. I think the first time I walked out, I’d obviously have never played on a stage that big. And I think now, all these years later, I have gotten very comfortable out there. And to me, when they put the roof on, it feels cosier somehow, as large as it is.
YearRound reachedDefeated by2024Third RoundElise Mertens2023Semi-finalAryna Sabalenka2022Third RoundCoco Gauff2021First RoundSloane Stephens2020Third RoundAlizé Cornet
“But yeah, it’s a stadium like no other. I think walking out there, especially I have had some really big matches, like Labor Day weekend playing Serena, there was not an empty seat. It’s like no other place, and you don’t ever get to play in front of that many people.”
Jack Draper has been pictured practising on Arthur Ashe, as one player who certainly was not effaced by the atmosphere of this arena as he stormed to the semi-finals last year.
Madison Keys hoping to continue American dominance at Grand Slams this year
Although Amanda Anisimova could not continue the American women’s hot streak at Wimbledon, she is still one of three who have made it to a Grand Slam final this year.
In 2025, every single major final has had a US player participating, and the hope will be that the same occurs here at the US Open, in front of an expectant home crowd.
Keys was the first to start off this trend, as she stunned Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the Australian Open.
It was then Coco Gauff’s turn to accomplish the same feat against the same opponent, this time at Roland Garros.
Anisimova was not so fortunate against Iga Swiatek, who was rampant throughout that tournament.
And now, it’s worth questioning which American woman might be next to continue this trend at this year’s US Open.