Madison Keys, the unstoppable force in the tennis world, has marked her sixteenth consecutive victory, catapulting her into the spotlight yet again. Her recent triumphs, spanning from Adelaide to Melbourne, and now to the Indian Wells, have made her a formidable presence on the court. Her latest triumph came on March 13, when she outplayed the champion of the Abu Dhabi Open, Belinda Bencic, securing her place in the Indian Wells semifinal for the first time.
Keys’ journey to this milestone has been fraught with challenges, including 11 unsuccessful campaigns in the Californian desert. Yet, her admiration for the Indian Wells event remains unwavering, largely due to the nostalgic connection she shares with it.
In a clip shared by the BNP Paribas Open on their official Instagram, tennis stars from WTA and ATP divulged their affinity towards the Indian Wells event. While Frances Tiafoe spoke about the relaxed atmosphere and the “fifth slam” status of the event, Iga Swiatek praised the excellent conditions and weather of the venue. Madison Keys, too, has her personal reasons for cherishing the event.
Keys fondly remembers the Indian Wells as one of the first tournaments she ever participated in. She recalls the excitement of navigating through the venue’s offices and the thrill of playing in front of the enthusiastic American fans.
Despite her affection for the event, Keys’ journey in the Indian Wells hasn’t always been smooth. Her first main draw experience in 2013, when she was merely 18, ended in a loss to Samantha Stosur. The following years too didn’t see much success, with her best performance being a quarterfinal finish in 2022, where she was defeated by former World No.1 Iga Swiatek.
However, 2025 has been a turning point for Keys. Her impressive form in the Indian Wells began with a strong victory over Anastasia Potapova and continued with wins against Elise Mertens and Donna Vekic. Her victory over Belinda Bencic, with a commanding score line of 6-1, 6-1, further demonstrated her dominance on the court.
Her next challenge is a rematch with Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, echoing their intense Australian Open final clash in January. Keys, who had emerged victorious in that match, will also aim to reach her first WTA 1000 final since the 2019 Cincinnati Masters.
Keys’ confidence is at an all-time high following her 16-match winning streak, a feat she admits is a new experience for her. In the history of tennis, she is the third oldest player to achieve such a streak, joining the ranks of Martina Navratilova and Serena Williams.
With this accomplishment, Keys has also become the fourth WTA player, over the age of 30, to reach the Indian Wells semifinal, following in the footsteps of Elena Vesnina, Flavia Pennetta, and Martina Navratilova.
While Sabalenka will undoubtedly be looking for a rematch revenge, it remains to be seen whether Keys will continue her winning streak or if Sabalenka will turn the tables. As the anticipation builds, one can only guess the outcome of this riveting showdown.