Winner this Saturday at the Australian Open of her first Grand Chelem tournament at 29 on Saturday, the American Madison Keys welcomed herself to have finally freed herself from the “burden” of the expectations she aroused from the start of his adolescence.
Question: After losing the US Open final in 2017, what is this first big home title makes you feel?
Answer: “I think nothing happens by chance. As far as I am concerned, I had to go through very difficult moments, which forced me to work on the pressure that I put myself on the shoulders. From a very young age, I had the impression which if I never won a great slam, I would not meet people's expectations towards me.
Q: How did you free yourself?
A: “I came to a point where I was proud of myself, in my career, with or without much home. I ended up being comfortable with the possibility that it never happens. From this form of small voice in my head gave me the ability to get on the court, to play a great tennis and ultimately to win a great slam. “
Q: When did the click occur?
-A: “It's one of those things that are built step by step. Suddenly, I win a few Adelaide matches (a tournament she won in early January, editor's note) And I arrive here. I think winning the match against Iga (Swiatek, the world n ° 2 that she beat on Thursday in the semi-finals) was a big step. I always thought that I could get there, but doing it that way (super-tie-break victory), I said to myself after the match I could quite win on Saturday. “
Q: How did you manage to take the best on your opponent in the last set, very tight?
A: “It is one of the things that I am most proud of. I kept repeating myself, be courageous, fight, give everything you have. If I do that, whatever happens, I can be proud of myself.
Q: Among the gentlemen, Alexander Zverev will compete tomorrow the final and he also short behind his first Grand Slam title for a long time. What advice could you give him?
A: “At one point, you just have to free yourself from stress, to say to yourself, one day, I will win one ?, Stop worrying about it and simply play tennis. Ultimately, C 'is the only thing you can control and on which you can concentrate. (In the final of a Grand Chelem, editor's note)generally good things end up happening. “
