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For any tennis player, a coach is an essential figure—guiding, strategizing, and supporting them through the highs and lows of their career. But for Madison Keys, her coach plays an even more significant role, both on and off the court. Keys’ coach, Bjorn Fratangelo, is also her husband, making their partnership unique and deeply personal. The tennis power couple’s bond has been a source of strength as Madison battles her way back after injuries disrupted her 2024 season. Now ranked World No. 14, she is hitting her stride again and recently shared insights into their relationship, which is as much about love as it is about tennis.

Professionally, Fratangelo, an ex tennis pro took on the role of Keys’ coach after her second-round exit at Roland Garros last year. Since then, their partnership has yielded promising results, including Keys’ impressive run to the semifinals at the 2023 US Open. “The best part [of being coached by her husband] is that we actually get to see each other,” Keys revealed in an interview with Grand Slam Daily.

Reflecting on their past, she added, “When we started dating, he was also playing, and we were not on the same schedule, so we would not spend a whole lot of time together. So it’s great that we actually get to spend time together.”

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Their on-court synergy has been evident, but as Keys humorously admitted, working with her husband has its challenges. “The not-so-great part is having to tell him that he was right a lot of the time, not super fun,” she joked.

 

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Their journey as a couple began back in 2006 in Boca Raton, Florida, where the two first met while training at the same facility. Later, they lived in the same Orlando apartment complex, and over the years, their friendship evolved into something more. By 2017, the two were officially dating, setting the foundation for a partnership that would soon grow professionally as well.

In March 2023, Fratangelo surprised Keys with a heartfelt proposal at their home, just as she returned from a tournament in Dubai. The moment was a testament to the depth of their relationship, built on years of shared experiences and mutual support. They celebrated their wedding in Charleston on November 23, 2024, surrounded by friends and family in a ceremony that marked another milestone in their journey together.

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Does having a spouse as a coach give Madison Keys an edge on the tennis court?

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Madison Keys’s resurgence after injuries in the 2025 season

Madison Keys is making her mark on the 2025 season with a strong start. She recently won her second Adelaide International title, defeating Jessica Pegula in a thrilling three-set match (6-3, 4-6, 6-1). This victory is particularly significant after a challenging 2024 season, during which Keys faced multiple setbacks, including a shoulder injury that forced her to miss the Australian Open and a hamstring injury that forced her to withdraw from the Wimbledon in the fourth round.

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Reflecting on the changes she had to make, the American tennis player explained, “My body slowly started to fall apart a little bit with [my old serve], so that was kind of the final nail in the coffin where I had to actually make a change.”

Working alongside Fratangelo, the World No.14 began tweaking her technique before last autumn’s Asian swing. The process was far from smooth. “Really trying to buy into that process took a little bit of patience,” she said, recalling how she had to navigate through an “uncomfortable” period during tournaments in Beijing and Wuhan.

Now, with her husband by her side as both coach and partner, Madison Keys looks forward to what the rest of 2025 holds.

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At the ongoing Australian Open, she has continued her strong form, advancing to the third round after a hard-fought victory over Elena-Gabriela Ruse (7-6, 2-6, 7-5). She is now set to face fellow American Danielle Collins on Saturday, aiming to build on her previous semifinal performances at the tournament in 2015 and 2022.

Will this tennis power couple achieve even greater milestones together this season?

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Does having a spouse as a coach give Madison Keys an edge on the tennis court?