American tennis star Madison Keys has carved out a unique niche for herself in the annals of the sport. The world’s fifth-ranked player has become the fifth person in the Open Era to secure at least 15 consecutive victories on hard courts after reaching the age of 30. This achievement puts her in the illustrious company of tennis legends like Serena Williams, Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, and Martina Navratilova.
Keys’ triumphant run began with a flawless 12-0 record spanning the Adelaide International and the Australian Open. The American tennis dynamo, who commemorated her 30th birthday in February, continued her winning streak by emerging victorious in the first three matches at Indian Wells.
This accomplishment brings her on par with Serena Williams, the most recent player to secure 15 consecutive victories on hard courts past the age of 30. Williams, an icon of American tennis, achieved this impressive feat between late 2013 and early 2014, producing an astounding 25-match winning streak on hard courts.
The exclusive club of players who have accomplished this feat is populated by the likes of Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, and Martina Navratilova, all of whom have etched their names in tennis history. Now, Madison Keys is the newest addition to this elite group, exhibiting an extraordinary level of skill and determination on the hard court.
However, the journey to this impressive milestone was not without its nail-biting moments. Keys nearly saw her winning streak snapped at 14 consecutive victories. She faced a tough adversary in Elise Mertens during the Indian Wells second round, but managed to prevail in a three-setter.
Her battle with Donna Vekic also proved to be a test of her mettle. Keys overcame an initial setback, rallying from 4-6 down to win the match 7-6 (7) 6-3. After the match, Keys candidly admitted that there were moments when she felt the match could have swung the other way.
“I felt like it was do or die… Probably at 5-5 in the second set tiebreaker. I decided to go for a bit more. Really happy to get the win,” said Keys, reflecting on her hard-fought victory against Vekic.
Despite the challenges and high stakes, Keys found a way to win, demonstrating not just her remarkable technical skills, but also her mental fortitude. This achievement adds another feather to her cap, and cements her place among some of the greatest players in the history of tennis.
