Madison Keys Embraces the Aussie Challenge

Madison Keys, the defending Australian Open champion, is soaking in the joys of her milestone while focusing on the challenge of retaining her title. She expressed excitement about seeing her name in the champions' tunnel and shared her intent to step out of her comfort zone during the tournament.

Madison Keys is relishing her return to the Australian Open as the defending champion. The American tennis player expressed her eagerness to capture a photo by her name in the champions' tunnel, a triumph she wants to share with her mother. Keys regards her victory as a surreal career milestone.

The 30-year-old, who defeated top-seeded players Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka to claim her first Grand Slam title last year, acknowledges the pressures of defending her title. However, Keys embraces the opportunity with a positive attitude, eager to capture all the enjoyable moments throughout the tournament.

Despite attaining Grand Slam success, Keys maintains that her life remains largely unchanged, aside from the achievement's emotional impact on fans. As she prepares to meet Oleksandra Oliynykova in her opening match, Keys aims to challenge herself by stepping outside her comfort zone on the court.

(With inputs from agencies.)