THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 28, 2021

Madison Keys

Press Conference

M. KEYS/K. Swan

6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Just tell me, how did it feel out there today? Obviously lots of delays and stuff, but you did very well. Wondering how you felt about your match.

MADISON KEYS: I feel really good about it. I think I had a really good mentality going into today, kind of knowing that the rain was going to be a factor.

I just kind of knew it was going to be a long day, and I was prepared to kind of go on and off the court. Once I got out there and saw the sunny skies, I felt pretty good about knowing that we were going to be able to finish the match.

I think I handled the match pretty well. I obviously served really well, and I think, you know, the couple of opportunities that I had on her serve, I took them. I was pretty happy with it.

Q. You have this love story, I feel, on grass. I'm wondering if you can take me back a little bit and tell me how it started and why you think you like it.

MADISON KEYS: I think the first time I played on grass I was 16 maybe. I played juniors, so I played Maureen Connolly Cup in Eastbourne followed by the warmup tournament in Roehampton and then Junior Wimbledon.

And unfortunately I lost to Ash the year that she won Junior Wimbledon. But I just, it suited my game really well, and I really loved it. And then obviously winning my first title on grass kind of solidified the fact that I loved it.

I just think it suits my game really well, but I think it's probably because we don't get to play on it very often. And I feel like Wimbledon has such, it's the tradition and it's such an incredible tournament, it just kind of elevates everything, and then the fact that it's on a surface that you don't get to play on very often that you actually feel pretty comfortable on just makes it easy to love it.

Q. The fact that you know you love grass, we know you love grass, is there ever pressure coming to Wimbledon trying to translate that into a deep run?

MADISON KEYS: I think there is pressure sometimes, but I think grass is wonderful as it is. Matches can get away from you so quickly, and, you know, it suits a lot of players' games well, not just, you know, big hitters. It suits people who are able to play with spin and slice and pace and all of that. So as much as I love it, it can also be, if you're slightly off on grass, it's a tough day at the office. So sometimes there is pressure, but for the most part, I just really enjoy it, win or lose. Hopefully more winning than losing. That always feels a little bit better.

But, yeah, I think you just love coming here, and it's easy to, no matter what's going on, enjoy the opportunity to be able to play at such an amazing tournament.

Q. You made the quarters when you were just 20 years old, if I'm not mistaken. (Indiscernible question about Aga.) What stands out to you the most from that run?

MADISON KEYS: That run was, I feel like it was forever ago now, but it was great. It was obviously the first time I did really well at Wimbledon. It's the furthest I have ever gone. Obviously losing to Aga, I'm pretty sure she made the finals that year. She was always so good on grass, so that was always a tough match.

I just really remember not really expecting a lot of myself that year. Just enjoying every match and playing super free. Everything just kind of fit into place, and I played really well, and then obviously lost to someone who's incredible on all surfaces, let alone on grass. That's always really, really wonderful memories.

Q. This season has been tricky because you got COVID, if I'm not mistaken, things like that. Now where do you see your game at this point in time in the season?

MADISON KEYS: It's definitely been an interesting year for me. I feel like it hasn't been perfect, and I feel like there has been lots of obstacles that have kind of gotten in front of me, and I have had to try to battle through. But I feel like I'm finally starting to have the momentum of, even if I'm not winning matches, I feel like I'm playing really well and I'm playing the way that I want to.

I'm finally moving forward and kind of feeling like I'm getting back up to speed. Since coming back in 2020, it seems like it's been a lot of uphill battles, so I feel like I'm finally starting to feel my footing.

Q. What was it like being back out there, being back in Wimbledon, decent-sized crowd? What was the atmosphere like and how did it feel to be out there again at this place in particular and with a crowd?

MADISON KEYS: It was great to be back in Wimbledon. Obviously not playing last year was very, very disappointing, and it feels a little bit weird that there was such a big gap in between grass seasons.

But to have a crowd and the size of the crowd that we had today, I at one point felt like it was back to normal, and it was just very, very nice to be back in a situation where you felt an amazing crowd, even if they were cheering obviously for my opponent and wanted her to win, it was just so nice to have energy and people who are excited to watch tennis.

Q. I wanted to ask you about your love of plants. I follow your social media and I know you really like plants. I'm wondering, first of all, where did that come from, and do you feel that this has a soothing effect on you? It's quite a unique hobby to have.

MADISON KEYS: Both of my grandmas are massive gardeners, and I just know, just from being young, they both were incredibly serious about their gardening. I guess it took a little while to kind of get the plant itch, but COVID was not great for me since I had so much time at home and I just kept buying plants. My boyfriend was basically every day, he's, like, You can't keep buying more plants. And I was, like, Well, there's space, so I guess I can.

I really love it. I have lots. I have, for the first time I have a home of my own, and I have massive outdoor space. I basically fit plants into every nook and cranny that they can fit. I just really love it. I love being surrounded by them, and especially when you're at home and you get to be outside and just being surrounded by them, I think it's not only is it beautiful but it's just really soothing.

I am working on actually growing some fruit and I have herbs and I guess maybe next I'll find some vegetables.

If you give me any bit of land, I'll probably put plants on it. (Smiling.)