Australian Open semi-finalist Madison Keys says her experience training in Florida helped prepare her for the heat of Melbourne Park in January.
The unseeded American was able to outlast women’s No.4 seed Barbora Krejcikova 6-3 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena today.
The pair began their match in the early afternoon, and the heat got the better of the favourite from the Czech Republic.
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Krejcikova struggled with the heat and was almost non-competitive in the second set when Keys ran over the top of her.
“I train in Orlando through the summer, which I think is the hottest place on Earth in the summer,” Keys said post-match.
“You guys should come and try it out and let me know if you agree with me. I am pretty used to it because I train in it all of the time, which I think is definitely a bonus for me, even though in the summer I really wish I didn’t live there and I lived somewhere nicer.
“Yeah, I think that and then along with… we have so many great things like ice towels and cool fans and all of that which really help.”
Spanish champion Rafael Nadal also struggled with the heat on Rod Laver Arena in his win against Denis Shapovalov, which was after Keys beat Krejcikova.
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For Keys, this is the first time she’s reached a Grand Slam semi-final since the French Open in 2018.
She last made it this far in the Australian Open in 2015, but has never made it to the last dance.
She was emotional after beating Krejcikova when she realised what she had achieved.
“I think I am going to cry,” she told Jelena Dokic.
Later, she told media why she loves playing in Australia so much.
“I think it’s also such a great place to start the new year. Everyone is so excited to watch the tennis,” she said.
“The tennis fans here are great. You can tell that they truly love tennis. They’re so excited. The energy is always amazing.
“I think honestly it’s probably a player favorite slam. Everyone is so great to us.”
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