“There have been periods of my career where it felt like if I didn’t win one, then I hadn’t done enough, and I didn’t live up to my potential”, Madison Keys said back in January ahead of her Australian Open semifinal against Iga Swiatek. Up until that point, she wasn’t a Grand Slam champion. Back in 2017 at the US Open, she missed the opportunity against her friend and compatriot Sloane Stephens. Her inability to hold her nerves at crucial junctures often prevented her from accomplishing her dreams in the past. But it wasn’t the case this time. She eventually beat Swiatek in that semifinal and entered the summit clash, where she stunned World number 1 Aryna Sabalenka to create history at the Rod Laver Arena. Not to mention it helped her climb into the top 5 in the world rankings as well. But can she maintain this high level of tennis throughout the season? A former American ATP legend has shared his opinion.

In an episode of the Advantage Connors podcast, dated March 15, ex-pro and 8-time Slam winner Jimmy Connors expressed his unfiltered thoughts on Keys’ Slam victory. Plus, he also shared his overview on her journey ahead of this season. Reflecting on the American’s shortcomings in the past, he said, “I think Keys in Australia, it came through and was amazing. And she’s stuck in there for all these years and took the criticism. ‘Why haven’t you won a Grand Slam? Why didn’t you win? How come you lost to them? What’s the deal? Where’s your game going?’ And she’s stuck in there all that time.”

He then came up with an intriguing question on Keys’ future going forward in 2025. Especially in terms of carrying the momentum of her Slam win in other events. “My question is, can she back that up?”

“And that’s the important point because you know how we’ve talked in the past, how some players get to a semis or a finals or a win, and then they celebrate for five or six years.” Keys, however, might not be one of those players, according to Connors. Why? “She’s found success and she’s found where she should be. She’s beaten the top players, so she wants to stay on top of them. So boy, that could turn out to be this year,” he concluded.

Of course, Keys beat the top-ranked WTA stars in Melbourne. Apart from her compatriot and friend, Danielle Collins, she took out the likes of 2022 Wimbledon champions Elena Rybakina and Elina Svitolina. And then the big target – World No.2 Iga Swiatek. Despite a tough fight from the five-time Slam champion, Keys outplayed her in a cliffhanger of a tie-break battle. The ultimate victory against World No.1 Sabalenka was then like icing on the cake, eventually.

But it appears the fortunes have begun to turn the other way. While Connors thinks Keys has the potential to continue her winning form, she couldn’t quite do that in the Indian Wells.

Madison Keys fails to leave a lasting impression in Indian Wells upon her return since Australian Open glory

Following the historic win down under, Madison Keys had to withdraw from the Middle East swing (Qatar Open and Dubai Tennis Championships) due to a leg injury. It kept her away from tennis for more than a month.

With the 2025 Indian Wells, she finally stepped back on the court. And the World No.5 looked in great touch as well. She began her campaign with a victory against Anastasia Potapova last week before extending her streak further and ousting Elise Mertens, Donna Vekic, and Belinda Bencic in R32, R16, and QF, respectively. However, the American couldn’t reach her third straight WTA final of 2025, as she bumped into Aryna Sabalenka, who was up for revenge.

The World No.1 successfully avenged that heartbreaking loss in the Australian Open, handing Keys a brutal 6-0, 6-1 defeat in just under an hour! With that, Keys’s 16-match win streak this season also came to an end. “I was hungry… That Australian Open match was really heartbreaking for me, and I really needed some time to recover after that,” Sabalenka said after thrashing Keys.

It will be intriguing to see if the American can come back strongly in her next WTA challenge at the Miami Open. What are your thoughts on her prospects going forward? Let us know in the comments below.