The loud cheer for Madison Keys had barely settled when emotions took over center stage. A tiring journey, a long-awaited dream- all unfolded in a moment that left even the most seasoned eyes of the sport misty. For one former coach, watching it come to reality was more than just witnessing a victory. It was more like the culmination of something deeper. After the epic moment, he laid bare his emotions. His words weren’t just admiration but a rare peak into his heart who walked a similar path once. So who is he and what did he say about the WTA star?
Keys clinched her maiden Grand Slam title at 29, seven years after her runner-up finish at the 2017 Flushing Meadows. In a fierce final at Rod Laver Arena, she overpowered defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in three straight sets by 6-3, 2-6, 7-5. The WTA number seven came out strong, dominating the first set with sheer brilliance. Though Sabalenka roared back in the second set, Keys held her nerve strong in a tense decider, sealing victory after a series of mind-blowing rallies. The American athlete’s long-awaited victory delighted her former coach, Mats Wilander. “It’s cool to see somebody at that age and the journey she’s been through. So many people will be proud of Madison,” he said. However, this Swedish coach’s emotions ran even deeper, as he later confessed to Andy Zodin’s KickServeRadio podcast.
“It wasn’t a huge surprise, but there were teary eyes everywhere—including mine. It was so emotional. Especially after Iga Świątek’s match point, but the final was just brilliant sport. That’s what sports can bring—more than movies,” Wilander said. His words reflected his happiness as he watched his former pupil lift the trophy.
Yet, despite his admiration, Wilander and Keys’ partnership was surprisingly short-lived. This Swedish coach and the American athlete’s collaboration, which began on March 21, 2016, ended after eight days, even though it saw immediate success with a quarterfinal run at the Miami Open that year. Arnesen Tennis Blog confirmed their separation, quoting the Swiss coach: “We put an end to our cooperation, and I am on my way home.” Wilander never disclosed the reason. Despite the failed partnership, he has remained supportive of the WTA star ever since.
Now, with Keys finally bagging a major title, Wilander’s confidence in her has only grown. In a recent podcast discussion, the established coach made bold predictions for Keys’ future, highlighting the WTA star’s immense potential in the sport.
Mats Wilander believes Madison Keys will be “unbelievably dangerous” in upcoming Grand Slam
Reflecting on Keys’ improvement and deadly form, Wilander believed she was better than her opponent in the Melbourne Slam finals. “Yeah, I think that she is more mature than Sabalenka was and I think that Madison Keys, with having one, the monkey is off the back, I think she is going to be unbelievably dangerous in the upcoming three majors this year,” he said to Andy Zodin on the KickServe Radio.com podcast.
After Keys’ Australian Open win, Wilander thought this would boost her confidence for more Grand Slam victories. “Because now she knows she can do it and now she knows that you don’t have to pick winners left, right, and center the whole time. You just have to win the big points,” he said.
Mats Wilander’s emotional confession about Madison Keys’ Grand Slam win is a testament to every mentor’s pride and faith in their pupil’s potential. Although Keys and Wilander couldn’t work for longer, their respect for each other remained the same. It also taught the fraternity a great lesson about the relationship between a former coach and his pupil that transcends beyond any professional barriers.
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