Andy Roddick explains why he was stunned into ‘silence’ after talking with Australian Open champion Madison Keys recently
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Madison Keys finally got her hands on a Grand Slam trophy, with the American winning the Australian Open last month.
Keys flew the flag for American women in Melbourne, with WTA number three Coco Gauff needing to reduce her double faults after a disappointing quarter-final exit.
Gauff could still win a Grand Slam in 2025, although Keys will also likely be in contention after rising to seventh in the world rankings.
In a fantastic Australian Open run, Keys overcame top 10 seeds Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina.
She beat the Pole in the semi-final and the Belarusian in the final, having lost her only other Grand Slam final back in 2017.
Andy Roddick stunned by ‘honest’ Madison Keys interview after Australian Open win
Keys lost to fellow American Sloane Stephens at the US Open that year, but recovered superbly alongside coach and husband Bjorn Fratangelo to win the Australian Open this time around.
Among the people speaking to the victor following her success was former number one Andy Roddick, who discussed their interview on the latest episode of the Served with Andy Roddick podcast.
READ MORE: Andy Roddick thinks he knows the ‘issue’ Iga Swiatek has after her surprise Australian Open exit
“We shot that [interview] last Thursday and we are here on a Monday before a Tuesday release,” said Roddick.
“When we finished that interview with Madi and Bjorn, I sat here and looked at Mike and Sean [the producers] in silence for a bit.
“I thought they were so honest. She probably had been talking about this for four days already and it still felt and was completely authentic and humble. ‘I didn’t do it, I am still in process’.
“I thought it was so mature. It made me feel worse about the way I look at things. I thought she was so fantastic and centred and when she says things like I had come to terms with not winning one and that was the reason I did win one, I believe her.
“If you told me that two or three weeks ago I would have rolled my eyes and been like that’s not a real thing.
“I honestly believe her process. I like she is still talking about it, not like I did this and it’s still good, but we have to keep yelling it from the rooftops that it’s not easy.
“And it’s okay for it not to be easy. It’s not supposed to be easy, with whatever your job is. You are allowed to say that is hard. I thought they were great, I thought Bjorn was a 12/10.”
Madison Keys a popular Australian Open champion after first Grand Slam title
Having won the US Open and lost four other Grand Slam finals, Roddick can certainly empathise with his compatriot.
Keys is undoubtedly a popular Australian Open champion thanks to her fantastic efforts on and off the court, despite denying another fan favourite a chance to join the history books.
Tennis fans loved Sabalenka’s dancing in Melbourne, but her good mood was finally brought to an end by Keys at the very last.
The latter deserves plenty of praise for getting back to her best at this stage of her career, with more major success now a real possibility for the 29-year-old.
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