Big Statement Made on Iga Swiatek’s Crushing Loss to Madison Keys at Australian Open: ‘Best Match I Have Seen’

Remember when Jessica Pegula claimed “If Madison Keys plays half as good as she did against me in the third set of the Adelaide Final, she will win the title,” before the Slam even started? Although Pegula’s comment set the stage, it wasn’t Keys’ last match that garnered that attention. When Iga Swiatek joined the American WTA star on the other side of the court, the clash became intense, highlighting a battle of styles. Commenting on that, Serena Williams’ former coach explained why this match meant more importance to her than others in the Slam.

The American WTA star defeated the Polish player by 5-7, 6-1, and 7(10)- 6(8) and entered the finals. Reflecting on why her match against Swiatek “May be the best match” she ever “watched courtside,” Stubbs said, “ I have seen dramatic matches there but I honestly think that is the best match I have seen Iga play on hard court ever and she won the US Open. She hit the ball so well, everything was going, she arguably should have ended up winning the match. She had a match point on her serve, did not hit a bad serve. Hit the right serve and went to the back and went to the weaker side of Madison.” 

Despite Swiatek’s loss, she performed aggressively against Keys. She led the first set by 7-5 but it wasn’t her day. Before this loss, Swiatek led her head-to-head with Keys by 4-1. However, her victories against the American players were on clay courts mostly. Only in the 2022 Indian Wells, she defeated Keys on an outdoor hard court. After the 2022 Cincinnati Open, this is Swiatek’s second hard-court defeat against Keys.

Stubbs’ praise might begin with Swiatek but she also highlighted Madison Keys’ fierceness in her opinion. Reflecting on how changes helped Keys’ progress, Stubbs said, “Madison crushes back a return. There was nothing that she, that you could seriously critique but Maddie Keys to have the strength of mind cause we know the biggest issue for Madison has not been the way she hits the ball. The change of racquet has made the world of difference to her game. The serving, the step up and not the platform serve has made a world a difference to her serving. She is serving 9 miles an hour harder but the mental fortitude to win that match in the end and the way she won that match oh my God like what a f***king match that was.”

Stubbs’ statement highlighted how Keys returned in the second set and changed the course of the match. She highlighted one major development: the change of his racquet in the off-season. Keys changed from gut strings to poly strings, finding control in her game and relief from the wrist pain. As a Wilson user since she was a kid, Keys became a Yonex frame user since the Melbourne Slam, switching to a more “open” string pattern. However, the racquet isn’t the only thing Keys worked on. She also changed the serve. Reflecting on this aspect, Keys said she played safely before losing the chance to score a high point in the first serve. Her change helped her in this regard.

Along with highlighting Keys’ skills, Serena Williams’ former coach focused on the American athlete’s mental fortitude. In this regard, Keys confessed that visiting psychologists for a long time, addressing her mental health issues, and going through uncomfortable situations helped her “breakthrough” in anxious situations, one that she had after Swiatek’s lead in the first set of the semifinals. Through focus and determination, she turned the table and seized the win.

Madison Keys’ victory impressed Iga Swiatek, who issued a compliment about her opponent’s stunning display. Calling her “better,” Swiatek shed light on Keys’ improvement. So, what did she say?

Iga Swiatek believed Madison Keys deserved to be “in the final”

Despite losing the one-and-a-half-hour match against Keys, Swiatek complimented her opponent, highlighting her strengths. “Madison also really did the work as she should. She totally deserves to be in the final,” she said. Iga Swiatek’s words had a hint of disappointment but she ultimately accepted Keys “played better.” In fact, when Keys shared her happiness about entering the finals, the Polish star offered her best wishes to her rival. “Huge congratulations. You played amazing. All the best,” tweeted Swiatek.

Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys’ match proved one doesn’t need finals to witness a nerve-wracking battle between two skilled athletes. Despite leverage, one wrong decision of not using the match point turned heavy for Swiatek. However, Keys also utilized her chances and showed that she deserved every bit to win the Melbourne Slam.