It would be easy to believe AO 2025 defending champion Madison Keys would have nothing but fond memories upon stepping foot back at Melbourne Park. After all, it’s not every day you defeat two-time champion and world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka to hoist the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup under the stadium lights of Rod Laver Arena.
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But for Keys, it was the struggle to get there that has made her memories of the win all the more sweet.
“I think you look back and it's kind of easy to be like, ‘wow, everything was amazing, I can't believe it’. But also, you think, ‘Wow, I almost lost. I was match point down,’” she said, reflecting on the final against Sabalenka.
“[There were] so many three-set matches. There were some ugly matches. I think it kind of just makes everything a little bit better just because it wasn't issue-free,” she added.
That’s not to say the defending champion is immune to the thrill of touching down in Australia, where she has found much success throughout her career.
READ MORE: Sabalenka beats Keys in AO final rematch, keeps Brisbane title defence alive
She contested her first major semifinal here in Melbourne in 2015, exactly 10 years before she secured her maiden Grand Slam victory.
“It feels really great to be back,” the world No. 9 said. “Obviously [I have] amazing memories from last year. Also, just lots of success at this tournament. So [I] always have really great memories from here.
“It's always my favourite place to start every year.”
When she can carve out time for herself between training and tournaments, Keys often catches up on reality show Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, where the drama has a uniquely calming effect on the 30-year-old. “I have to wait for a time where my husband's not watching because he can't handle the fighting. I find it very soothing.”
Keys' love of the show’s drama and conflict – something that can make viewers feel at least some level of unease – echoes her approach to discomfort and her belief in the benefits that can come from wading knee-deep into a challenge.
“One of my big goals this year is to force myself to be a little bit uncomfortable on court,” she said ahead of AO 2026 main draw. “To actually implement some of the things we're working on, as uncomfortable as those are in those big moments.
“I'm really trying to push myself to evolve and add more things to my game. That's really just been my goal all off-season, is trying to learn new things. Then [comes] the hard part of actually putting them in matches.”
Looking ahead to the coming fortnight, the defending champion is optimistic – while remaining determined to take the highs and lows of the tournament as they come.
“I'm really trying to just embrace that and take it in and soak it in, because I feel like so often we look back and we regret that. Even in the hard moments that were stressful and pressure and all that, we didn't find all the fun parts of it.”
The 30-year-old begins her title defence against Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova, ranked world No.90. In her quarter of the draw, Keys’ sole top-10 opponent is fellow American world No.6 Jessica Pegula, which could set up a repeat of their 2025 Adelaide final (which Keys won) should these two powerhouse players meet in the third round.
Returning to Melbourne Park as defending champion unsurprisingly adds pressure on a player, but Keys is choosing to take the journey as it comes.
“I think the thing that I'm really trying to change [is] my perspective on the pressure,” she said. “I'm really just trying to soak in all of the really cool fun parts, like walking in and seeing a picture of me holding the trophy. I could never have dreamed of that happening.
“I'm sure going on court I'm going to be very nervous. But I don't think I've ever walked on court first round of a Grand Slam and not been nervous.”