‘Timid’ Keys overcomes nerves to start title defence

Madison Keys’ unfamiliar opponent only made things more intense if she didn’t feel sufficiently anxious before defending her Australian Open title.

The 30-year-old American won her first Grand Slam title in Melbourne 12 months prior to a magical run there.

However, she made a gimmick of her own on Tuesday, losing to Grand Slam debutant Oleksandra Oliynykova for the first four games.

Afterward, Keys claimed that she had had trouble finding footage of her opponent to help her prepare because Oliynykova’s defensive play style didn’t mesh well with her big-hitting game.

However, the Ukrainian won 7-6 (8-6) 6-1, the ninth seed eventually settled down.

Keys said, “I’ve been considering this situation for essentially a year.

You are struck in a way that I don’t think you can ever fully explain when they say, “Read, play.”

As anxious and stressful as that can be, I keep thinking about how few people actually get to be there.

Keys started this season with quarter-final defeats to Brisbane and Adelaide, but she lost no one to her major success in 2025.

Keys, who is currently competing in her 50th Grand Slam game, took much longer to unwind than Oliynykova, who was ranked 92nd overall, and suffered three double blunders in the loss of her opening service match.

Keys, however, rallied from a 4-0 deficit to end the tie-break and rallied from that deficit to win the opener.

The second set was set up with compatriot Ashlyn Krueger, but Keys and her teammate Ashlyn Krueger clashed after the second set in 28 minutes.

Keys remarked, “I initially felt like I was playing a little timid and not really trusting my first instinct.”

As she faced the first time against a top-50 player, Oliynykova’s face was covered in tiny flowers.

The 25-year-old described it as “the best experience in my career” and “something I’ll remember up until the end of my life” after scaring the reigning champion in the biggest match of her career to date.

She claims that her father, who is a member of Ukraine’s military, is inspired to make him proud.

She said, “I am aware that he wanted to see me on this court.”

I’ll do everything to honor him even more. I fulfilled his dream.

Since Russia’s invasion of her country began in February 2022, Oliynykova has been training there throughout her lifetime.

Prior to departing for Australia, Oliynykova mentioned an incident where a drone struck a home just across the road.