“I have a therapist that I talk to, and for me, it’s such a valuable resource that I prioritize.” Madison Keys has been a strong mental health advocate for players who go through tough phases due to the competitive nature of sports. Keys never misses a chance to appreciate how therapy can really help. This comes from her own experiences. She once felt negative about her on-court performances due to injuries. Take for example 2024’s Wimbledon R16 against Jasmine Paolini. She was close to the QF but had to retire, in a decider, due to a leg injury. Such moments have affected her but not anymore, thanks to therapy sessions. Now, the Australian Open champion has reiterated her stance on mental health awareness while also lauding WTA on this front.

On Saturday, the 2017 US Open finalist turned her Grand Slam dream into reality. She overcame a strong rival in World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. After battling the three-time Major winner for two and a half hours, she won the coveted trophy with a score line of 6-3, 6-2, 7-5. After the match, she sat down for a press conference where she revealed how she’s gained immense benefits from therapies with psychologists. And she’s become a focused player lately on the court. When asked about the same, for tennis players in general, she said, “I think the more that we talk about actually using it as a tool, I think people feel more comfortable with it.”

“I think it’s not only helpful for myself but I think it’s helpful for lot of us and I think, I mean the stigma around therapy in general, not just in sports, I think is slowly starting to go away,” she added. Keys also admired WTA’s commendable initiative for players who struggle with mental health issues due to match pressure in major events.

“I do think that the WTA does a great job at having someone at tournaments now that you can go and you can talk to.” She was referring to the governing body’s program, for players, which started in 2023. Thanks to it, now there are dedicated professionals at tournaments and players can reach out to them if they need help.

Further, she urged everyone, whether in sports or not, to have “therapy no matter what. I think it helps and I think no matter what, no matter what’s going on in your life you’re going to have moments where things are tough and you need someone to talk to and I think it’s really important, it’s something that I will continue to do for the rest of my life,” she concluded.

But this isn’t the first time the 2025 Major winner down under has spoken on the importance of therapy.

When Madison Keys underlined the role of therapists for sportspersons

In 2024, when Madison Keys was ousted from Wimbledon due to a leg injury in R16, it was a tough phase for her. Also because she’s been on the receiving end when it comes to shining in Slams. In 2017 US Open final, she failed to emerge victorious against compatriot Sloane Stephens who beat her 6-3, 6-0 in straight sets. A year later, she couldn’t move past the QF stage and SF rounds at the Wimbledon, French Open, and the US Open respectively. Most recently, she lost in the 2023 US Open semifinal against Aryna Sabalenka.

But she managed to turn her failures at the biggest stages into her biggest strength. And having therapies did play a role in her revamped approach. Especially regarding her style and a newfound focus on pressure situations. Last year, too, she highlighted the importance of having therapists who can really make a difference. But it’s not always a simple task to find the right person.

“I’ve tried it on and off for a few years, and I think that’s the hard part about therapy is finding someone that fits for you. I think for me personally I’ve always tried specifically sports psychology. I think at the time I was always smart enough to pick up on what to say and say the right things and do the right things, but never really fully believed them 100% and never really fully buy into it,” she said as reported by TennisWorldUSA in August 2024.

The main purpose of her therapies has been to stay an “overall happy person.” Well as of now she must be feeling pretty happy after scripting history in Melbourne on Saturday. She edged out World No.1 Sabalenka in the title clash, completing her wish of being a Slam winner. She’s living that dream now!