Since she's widely regarded as one of the most likeable women on Tour, it’s no surprise that Madison Keys’ passionate charity interest champions a better world for everyone. The Kindness Wins Foundation, which she launched in 2020, states its mission as creating kindness for self, for youth and others in times of struggle.

Lately, it’s perhaps kindness to herself that has helped Keys navigate a challenging period. After a third round exit at the Australian Open, where she was a 2022 semi-finalist, Keys contracted shingles, rendering her so sick she was unable to eat for three weeks. While still recovering, she suffered food poisoning during the WTA 1000 tournament at Indian Wells in March.

While it was tough professionally, Keys has had some happy personal news to celebrate. Earlier this year, the 28-year-old announced her engagement to Bjorn Frantangelo, a fellow American player and a steadfast supporter in her return to form on Britain’s famed grass courts. 

Keys arrived at the All England Club having lifted her seventh career trophy at Eastbourne, where she celebrated her first professional title as a 19-year-old in 2014. In advancing to the quarter-finals in her ninth Wimbledon, the No.25 seed has put together a nine-match winning streak.

Surrendering only 16 games in her first three matches, Keys recovered from a 1-4 deficit in the third set against 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva in the fourth round. The American’s vast experience clearly helped in the thrilling comeback win.

“I have been playing tennis since I was four, so quite literally been playing it for almost my whole life,” said Keys. “I have been on the Tour since I was 14. I feel like I have played through a few different eras now, the tail end of some people, middle of other people and then the start of others.”

It was a journey that started when a young Keys watched Venus Williams play a Wimbledon match on television. She begged her parents, Rick and Christine, who are both attorneys, to buy her the same dress that Williams was wearing – they agreed, so long as the young fan also tried playing the sport. 

More than 20 years later, Key has achieved a top-10 ranking and contested a Grand Slam final, finishing runner-up to Sloane Stephens, a close friend and fellow American, at the US Open in 2017. 

Having first sparked her passion for the sport, Wimbledon success would complete a perfect full circle. While she’ll face a higher ranked quarter-final opponent in No.2 seed Aryna Sabalenka, the world No.18 is unquestionably capable of maintaining her top form on grass.

Respected tennis commentator Ravi Ubha believes the surface can bring out the American’s best. “If Madison does beat Sabalenka and go on to reach the final, maybe win a Grand Slam, there’ll be nobody who'll say it's a surprise because of how she's able to bring those big shots into the game, especially playing on grass,” he said.

“Those flat groundstrokes - when she has the precision and timing, like she did from the middle of the second set onwards against Andreeva, it's so hard to stop her.”

Jill Craybas, a former top 40 player who contested 11 main draw campaigns at Wimbledon, is delighted to see her fellow American return to form.

“I’ve been very impressed with Madison Keys,” said Craybas. “I’ve always been a big fan of her game and she has always remained a great person throughout her success.

“I watched her in Eastbourne on the way to her title, as well as at these Championships so far, and always had a big serve and forehand. Loving her patience as well and her fight to dig deep.” 

Other Americans are also keeping a close eye on Keys’ progress – the 28-year-old keeps in constant – and fun – contact with Wimbledon 1999 ladies’ champion Lindsay Davenport.

“We pretty much send Wordles back and forth every single day, so it’s a pretty close relationship,” Keys said at Eastbourne. “Obviously it started for tennis, and at this point has reached more than that. She's someone that is incredibly close to me, and I can go to her for anything.” 

It’s a typically good-natured insight from a popular competitor; as she continues her progress with bigger-picture perspective, Keys can appreciate that kindness does win.

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