Madison Keys says how she thinks tennis has changed since Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams retired

Madison Keys’ rise to prominence in the women’s game has been one of the biggest stories of 2025.

The 30-year-old began her year with a big title when Keys won the Adelaide International, taking down her fellow American, Jessica Pegula, in the final.

Carrying that momentum through to the year’s first Grand Slam, Keys beat Aryna Sabalenka to take home her maiden Major title at the Australian Open.

Strong performances at Indian Wells and the Madrid Open followed, with Keys currently ranked sixth in the world.

As she prepares for her opening match in Rome, Keys has commented on how the game of tennis has changed over recent years.

Madison Keys agrees tennis has become more open since ‘losing’ legends such as Serena Williams

During her pre-tournament press conference, Keys was asked whether she agrees with the idea that 20 or more players enter every event in 2025 with a real shot at victory.

“I think there’s definitely a lot of players… It’s happening on both tours now more and more, where you can think that there’s, like you said, 20 different people that you wouldn’t be surprised if they end up winning the tournament,” said Keys.

“I think part of it is because we’ve kind of lost some of our legends obviously.

“Like there’s no longer Serena Williams in every draw where you just assume she’s going to win.

“On the men’s side, you don’t have Roger [Federer], Rafa [Nadal], and Novak [Djokovic] every single week.”

Keys went on to explain how the level has increased on both the ATP Tour and WTA Tours over the years.

“I also think the base level has gotten much higher. I think the margin for error has gotten smaller,” she said.

“I think you’re kind of seeing that with some of the wins and the losses just because it’s so much closer, where if they’re both playing well, you’re going to have a great match. It could be two points that are different.

“I think just overall, everyone has just gotten so much better. The game has become so much more physical.

“I think everyone’s doing such a great job at investing in their own careers and having the physios and the fitness and all that.

“I think more and more people are getting faster and stronger while also staying healthy for longer.”

The American knows all too well how ‘two points’ can make the difference, as Keys saved match points in Melbourne earlier this year, on her way to the Australian Open title.

Keys trailed Swiatek, 5-7, 6-1, 5-6, 30-40, in the semis, before fighting back to win 10-8 in the deciding set tiebreaker.

Madison Keys could face Iga Swiatek again at the Italian Open

The American and Polish stars have already played one another twice in 2025, with the scores level at 1-1.

They could face off for a third time in Rome, should both players advance to the quarterfinals from their respective sections of the draw.

Madison Keys’ route to the QF (By ranking)

• 2R – Varvara Gracheva
• 3R – Anna Kalisnkaya
• 4R – Paula Badosa

Iga Swiatek’s route to the QF (By ranking)

• 2R – Elina Avanesyan
• 3R – Danielle Collins
• 4R – Elina Svitolina

The pair have played seven total matches on the WTA Tour, with Swiatek holding a commanding lead in the head-to-head, at 5-2.

Interestingly, Swiatek and Keys played each other in the quarterfinals of last year’s Italian Open.

On that occasion it was the Pole who came out on top, dropping just four games as she eased her way into the last four.

It remains to be seen if they take to the court against one another for an eighth time in Rome, but if they did, it would certainly be worth a watch.

Swiatek will begin her Italian Open title defence against either Elisabetta Cocciaretto or Elina Avanesyan in the second round, while Keys takes on either Varvara Gracheva or Ajla Tomljanovic.