Madison Keys has been on fire in 2025, starting with her title wins at Adelaide and the Australian Open, where she defeated top seed Aryna Sabalenka. Her winning streak extended to 16 matches at the BNP Paribas Open, showcasing remarkable vitality despite turning 30. This season marks a significant turnaround for Keys, who now ranks No. 5 in the world. She’s set to face Sabalenka again in the semifinals on Saturday. Meanwhile, WTA players continue to entertain fans with their engaging social media activities. This time, they’ve really got a grip—both literally and figuratively!
On March 13, the BNP Paribas Open hosted a fun challenge featuring a grip dynamometer. Top players like Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and others took turns squeezing the device to see who could achieve the highest score. The competition was fierce, with each player determined to outdo the others.
Qinwen Zheng started strong with a score of 76.7, while Jessica Pegula reached 82.8. Emma Navarro and Coco Gauff both achieved scores in the 90s, with 92.9 and 92.4 respectively. Mirra Andreeva and Iga Swiatek tied for second place with scores of 105.8. Aryna Sabalenka pushed the bar higher with a score of 107.4, but Madison Keys stole the show with an impressive 112.8, exclaiming, “That was hard!” after her attempt. Her determination and strength earned her the top spot in this entertaining challenge.
This comes after the WTA and ATP were put to a fun brain teaser earlier last week. Players were asked, “How many holes does a straw have?” While all the players picked sides, Keys couldn’t handle the mind-boggling question, saying, “This is going to send me into an existential crisis. A straw has…one hole? I don’t know, I don’t like that question. But my mind is melting.” In the end, Madison is still conquering the court and making strides to the top.
So far this season has been a huge improvement since her last. In 2024, Madison Keys faced several setbacks, primarily due to injuries. She missed the Australian Open due to a shoulder injury, which also prevented her from competing in the Middle East swing. Her season was marked by limited participation, with only 36 matches played, her lowest in four years. Despite these challenges, she managed to win a title in Strasbourg and reached the semifinals in Madrid. Now she’s heading into the SFs for the third time in a row. What’s keeping her going?
Madison gets candid about her improvement this season
After a brief hiatus due to a leg injury that kept her out of Doha and Dubai in February, Madison made a stunning return at Indian Wells. Her first match back was a resounding 6-3, 6-0 victory over Anastasia Potapova, setting the tone for what was to come. She then dispatched Elise Mertens, Donna Vekic, and Belinda Bencic in subsequent rounds, securing her first-ever semifinal spot at the tournament. This win streak is her longest ever, with 16 consecutive victories since losing in the ASB Classic quarterfinals on January 3.
In a post-match press conference, reporters asked Keys if she had forgotten what it feels like to lose as she basked in the glory of her unbeaten run. She replied, “No, you still remember what losing feels like. That’s probably something that you’ll never really forget. I don’t think I’ve ever had a streak this long, but obviously would like for it to go even further.” It’s clear that Keys is savoring every moment of this incredible stretch, but she knows the real challenge is yet to come.
That challenge arrives on Saturday when Keys faces off against World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals—a rematch of their Australian Open title clash, where Keys emerged victorious. Sabalenka is gunning for her second Indian Wells final after 2023, and she leads their head-to-head 4-2. Despite Keys’ recent win, Sabalenka’s experience and lead in their rivalry make this a mouth-watering encounter. Do you think Madison will deliver another surprise exit? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The post Madison Keys Rises to a Unique Challenge at Indian Wells to Solidify Her Champion Status appeared first on EssentiallySports.
