Madison Keys followed Alexandra Eala’s surprise victory on Centre Court at Wimbledon.
Eala stunned defending Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek with a straight sets victory to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time.
There has been a big reaction to this result, with even Billie Jean King commenting on Eala and her latest win at Wimbledon.
Eala is now in the last-16 of a Grand Slam for the first time, and one of her potential rivals for the title, Keys, has commented on the Filipina’s success.
Madison Keys says she has been ‘really impressed’ by Alexandra Eala
Keys beat Amanda Anisimova to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon, and in her post-match press conference she was asked about Eala.
When asked about Eala’s win over Swiatek, Keys revealed that she had watched most of the match, admitting that she was not surprised by how well the Filipina had been playing.
“I was obviously watching that match very closely because I followed it,” said Keys. “I got to see pretty much all of it.
“I mean, I think Alex played fantastic tennis. I, having been on the receiving end of Alex taking out some of the top players, know how good that she is. I know she can always be dangerous.
“Watching her today, I think it’s no surprise she’s playing really good tennis. She had a great tournament, as well, in Berlin, taking out some more of the top players. Very happy for her. I’m sure she’s still quite excited.”
How many Grand Slams will Alex Eala win in her career? 🏆
She's just knocked out the defending Wimbledon champion!
Keys was then asked about Eala’s personality, having spent time speaking to her when she appeared as a guest on her podcast with Jessica Pegula, Jennifer Brady and Desirae Krawczyk.
“She’s very funny,” answered Keys. “We had this ongoing joke, because in Miami we were in the same hotel. Her and her friend were talking, they were saying all these things in French. She didn’t know I was behind her. Then she saw me and she got really embarrassed.
“For the longest time, every time I would see her, I would say something in French to her. We would just have a little back-and-forth. She’s so sweet. She’s just one of those tennis players that it seems like she’s found her footing so quickly on the tour.
“She obviously has a huge following. I think it’s amazing to see how many more eyes she’s brought to tennis and how she’s handling that with, I mean, such amazing poise. I’m just really impressed by her.”
Madison Keys states her next goal for Wimbledon after beating Amanda Anisimova
While Keys was impressed by what she had seen from Eala, she also has her own Wimbledon campaign still to focus on.
Keys won the Eastbourne title the week prior to Wimbledon and she has continued this form into the grass court major.
When reacting to her latest victory over last year’s finalist Anisimova, Keys revealed that it was actually her first time ever on Centre Court at Wimbledon, despite being a Grand Slam champion.
“Well, it’s actually my first time on this court, ever… So, after that first set, I really tried to dig deep because I didn’t want my first time to end that way,” Keys said in her on-court interview after the match.
“I wanted to, at the very least, just try to get myself back in the match and make it competitive. Being able to do that, I think I was able to change the momentum.
She added, “I think the biggest thing is when you’re playing someone like Amanda, you really have to try and take the initiative first, because she’s such a great ball striker, and she can basically hit a winner from anywhere on the court.
“So, I think really just trying to neutralise that and hit hard through the middle, and try to see if I could get on the front foot first, and then obviously my serve helped me out a ton.”
Give us your one crazy prediction for the second week of Wimbledon!
After reaching the second week of Wimbledon, Keys was asked if she is still hoping for more this tournament.
Keys responded by stating her current goal to reach the semi-finals, which she has never done at Wimbledon before.
“Yes,” said the 2025 Australian Open champion. “Yes I do, it would be absolutely amazing, to make it one step further, and it’s the one Slam that I’ve never made the semi-finals in, I would love to do that, and if I make it there, then we can talk about the next step. “
If Keys does reach the semi-finals then this is where she could meet Eala, who she lost to in their only previous meeting at the Miami Open last year.
However, before then Keys will meet Berlin Open champion Linda Noskova for a place in the quarter-finals.
