US Open star breaks down in tears in press conference after heartbreaking defeat
Madison Keys was left wiping tears from her eyes while speaking at a press conference after exiting the US Open at the semi-final stage.
Keys, 28, lost to second seed Aryna Sabalenka at Arthur Ashe Stadium despite a storming start to the match that saw the 2017 finalist claim the opening set 6-0. The American also took a 5-3 lead in the second, twice breaking her opponent's serve.
However, Keys would contrive to lose the following three points before rebounding to take it to a tiebreaker that Sabalenka took 7-1. In the third, she again broke serve to take a 4-2 lead before squandering that advantage as another tiebreaker beckoned.
The world number 17 proceeded to lose the first four points to put herself in a position she could not respond from. Despite denying the Australian Open champion two match points, the third set tiebreaker ended 10-5 in Sabalenka's favour.
The result ended hopes of an all-American final on Saturday. Instead, the second seed will face Coco Gauff after the teenager beat Karolina Muchova 6-4, 7-5 in straight sets.
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Keys was visibly emotional after falling at the semi-final stage for a second time in Flushing Meadows.Asked to reflect on the tournament, she choked back tears while replying.
“I think everyone at the start of the tournament would be really, really excited to be in the semis," she said. "Right now, it sucks.” Answering the second part of the question about whether her best Slam performance of the season could help her sustain this level of performance, Keys finally broke.
Keys kept herself together until the final question of the post-game press conference (Twitter/US Open)“Yeah, I just think, being able to take this and turn it into a positive is really possible,” the American said, before taking a 10-second pause to wipe tears from her eyes. After composing herself, she continued: “Yeah, there’s still a lot to be proud of, and still tonnes of tennis to play this season.”
That would be the final answer of the press conference, and once it was over, Keys walked away from the podium while wiping away more tears. Earlier on, she did address her play on the court.
"I started really well," she said. "I don't think she was playing her best to start.
"And then, from the second set, it just got a lot closer. I was up a break, and I think serving for it, I was tight, and she played free.
"And then from there, it just seemed like it was really neck and neck. And, overall, I actually thought it was a really good match and pretty high level. Just unfortunately, on the losing end.
Keys also paid tribute to the partisan crowd within centre court cheering her on. "Playing in a stadium full of people that are behind me is always amazing. And I definitely tried to leave it all out there tonight and do my best, and that's all you can do.
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