When people say that American tennis is dead and things like that, you kind of take it a little personal.
— Madison Keys
I don't always have to play my absolute best to win matches.
I have a specific routine before every match. I like to grip my rackets, because I feel that someone else won't do it how I like them. But the biggest thing is that I don't like to stress about my match all morning. Twenty minutes before, I'll sit down and think about the game plan and warm up. And then I just play.
I have one of those bodies that is just a little more injury-prone.
People always look shocked when I tell them the Cincinnati Open is one of my favorite tournaments.
On those days when you don't want to get up, I think, I'm going to get through my entire practice without saying how tired I am or I try not to complain just because I was in a bad mood when I woke up. Even if it's not perfect and I slip up, I can catch myself and make myself of aware of where my mental space is at and move on.
A lot of people just assume men's tennis is better.
People aren't winning Slams at 21 anymore. It's later.
I think one big thing for me that I need to work on is being able to separate my feelings and emotions from my matches.
One night I couldn't sleep at three in the morning and I thought, I'm going to color-coordinate my closet. And I did. There's a whole system. It goes from white to black and then all the colors in the middle. Then it goes by tank tops to T-shirts to long sleeves, and then it goes to the next color. Then it goes to sweaters the same way.
I like weightlifting and cardio workouts, and I'll do a lot of circuit workouts and plyometric as well.
As far as cities, one of my favorite stops every year is Rome I think it's super fun to play there, because the tournament is really cool and the fans are super engaged, but also you get to walk around going to dinner, and the history - it's truly one of the most amazing cities in the world. I love it.
My thought process when I'm on the court is always thinking about getting better, and thinking about how I'm playing. Thinking about it as a process, as the big picture and what I need to work on, instead of being close-minded and thinking, 'I'm so nervous and have to win this match, if I don't, it'll be the worst.'
My mom and grandma always told me: if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. It's something everyone needs to be more conscious about. Putting more positive energy out into the world would be so beneficial.
My mom has always been that person who keeps me grounded, and my two younger sisters are always cheering me on.
It was tough because I was on the road so much, on top of everything. I went through what every girl goes through emotionally in life, going through high school. It wasn't easy.
I always travel with a cashmere blanket - I take it everywhere with me!
I want to be a role model for all young people.
I've had people ask me whether I'm concerned about wearing makeup into a match, for example. One year, an on-court commentator asked one of the girls to twirl after the match. Surely, he's not going to go up to a man to ask, 'Can you do a spin for us?'
I started full-time training when I was 10, signed professionally when I was 14, and won my first match at the same age.
You can get eight thousand great, amazing messages, and someone will send you one thing that you're maybe self-conscious about, and that's the only thing in your head for the rest of the day.
I've always loved Charleston. It's always been one of my favorite tournaments.
Setting a goal, accomplishing it, and feeling good about yourself can help build confidence and perseverance.
I try to live in the moment and not overthink things because then you start putting yourself in situations that you don't want to be in pressure-wise.
Sometimes you have to give yourself a break.
I'm a big fan of grass. It definitely suits my game.
I love Dennis Quaid! I don't know why, but I've loved him forever.
I think it's just really good to be honest with yourself and if I'm not feeling up for something I have no problem staying in my room in ordering some food and relaxing and managing my energy and kind of just checking in with myself throughout the day.
Let's just stop being bullies face to face, online, whatever.
We do a lot of lifting, and mix it up with upper body and lower body. A lot of circuit training for cardio. I hate just doing long distance running, so I do 5 or 6 different exercises for 20 to 30 seconds then move to the next one.
For me, losing is definitely not easy, but I think you just have to keep everything in perspective. Just remember that there's another tournament around the corner.
It wasn't until people started asking me what my plans were for the future - if I would go to college or go pro - that it really hit me what I wanted to do. I decided I wanted to go pro and try to be in Wimbledon.
I've tried my best to be a good role model for my two younger sisters.
Every single day, my parents fed me balls. Eventually it turned into having a coach, and then it went to being at an academy. You know, it worked out pretty well.
I expect a lot for myself.
I'm really lucky to have Lindsay Davenport as my coach. She was number one in the world, and she's won Grand Slams, so if there's any person who can help me get through, it's her. Getting her advice is very special for me.
It's, you know, kind of nice to be under the radar.
I grew up by the Mississippi River, and I would swim in that as a kid.
I enjoy lifting weights more than I enjoy getting on the treadmill to run.
I make a little goal every day and work toward achieving it - even if it's the smallest little thing.
I loved dance, but tennis felt more natural to me. Dance did help with my rhythm and balance.
I think when it's a high-stress situation, my tennis definitely takes a big dip.
I'm one of those people who writes out words. All of my text messages? You can read them. Everyone would know what I'm trying to say. My sister will say 'BTW.' Do you mean 'by the way'? Is that what you're trying to say?
I'm obsessed with my couch. I have the greenest couch on the planet.
I've done some meditation stuff like apps on my phone, but sometimes it's just about breathing deeply taking some deep breaths and slowing my mind down and focusing and something simple that can really help quiet my mind.
I think no matter who you are, or what you do, just be nice.
Usually before matches I eat plain pasta with a little bit olive oil, salt, pepper and chicken.
I would be lying if I said I wanted to wake up and work out every day.
I think I have slowly kind of had my name out there a little bit more and had some success.
My priority when I get off the plane and get to a city is get situated at the hotel and then go on site and get a good practice in. Sometimes working out can help with getting over jet lag as well.
