What Forced Madison Keys to Risk Everything and Resort to Fiance Bjorn Fratangelo as Full-Time Coach?

When Madison Keys found herself at a crossroads in her professional career, she took a bold decision. She sought help from none other than her fiance, Bjorn Fratangelo. And Fratangelo, who had previously reached his world-high ranking of No. 2, was her savior. Although they always tried to keep away from each other’s professional careers, Bjorn revealed the time when Keys decided to involve him during difficult times on the court.

Madison Keys, who started dating Bjorn Fratangelo in 2017, got engaged to him in March 2023. While she was enjoying this new phase of her personal life, she was having a difficult time in her professional career. After she split with her former coach Georgi Rumenov following her Charleston Open that year, she had a difficult journey competing in Europe alone. And on top of that, Keys faced a second-round exit from the Roland Garros when Kayla Day defeated her.

Therefore, Madison Keys decided there was only one way out of this: to seek help from Fratangelo. However, his long-term partner replied, “Are you sure?” He further explained his question and added, “Because we’ve done a great job of kind of staying out of each other’s careers over the seven years we’ve been together.”

While both of them share a special bond off the court, on the court they played together once in 2021 at the U.S. Open. That too happened after Madison Keys revealed how Fratangelo “wore her down” and convinced her. Although the couple lost that game, both admitted how “fun” it was for them to play together on the court. However, apart from that, the two have never come in between each other’s professional paths. Therefore, when Keys asked him to be his coach, it came as a surprise for his fiance.

However, Fratangelo further added that Keys was determined. “And she said yes.” Since then, both have enjoyed their time on the court. And off the court, they have never backed away from appreciating each other’s efforts.

“I think he’s pretty chatty,” says Madison Keys about his fiance

Soon after Fratangelo joined his fiance in her professional life, Keys’ career began to flourish. She even reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon that year, apart from also winning the Eastbourne International. And when asked whether she liked her fiance’s cheers on the side, she replied, “I think he’s pretty chatty. Just because, being a player, I think a lot of times when you look over, you’re not getting anything. You kind of want some back and forth.”

Madison Keys further added, “I think he kind of airs on the other side.” Even after her Eastbourne International victory, Fratangelo posted a picture of Keys holding the cup on his Instagram to show his support. And as they set out on this new journey, fans remain hopeful to see some more amazing matches of Madison Keys under the guidance of Fratangelo.