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Madison Keys is the latest star of the clay season! After unleashing her A-game in Italy, which led to her crown in Strasbourg, this American tennis star is finally set to live her Roland Garros dream. While fans acknowledge her expertise on the surface, Keys reveals how her fiance Bjorn Fratangelo’s support has been “one of the biggest things” to support her consistently. Being a coach he understands “when to deliver certain messages” that can help Keys’ performance in the long run.

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In an interview with the Tennis Channel, Madison Keys spoke about her confidence on the clay surface and her fiance and coach Bjorn Fratangelo’s contribution to her career. While speaking about how her partnership is with her coach, Keys dropped an adorable answer showing the amazing compatibility of the duo. “It’s I think It’s been really great, mostly because I think he knows how to communicate with me really well. Seven years after being together. There you go. So I think the message lands every time. And I think He’s also very good at just reading me and knowing why, when to deliver certain messages a certain way, which I think goes a very long way”- said Keys.

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She concluded by accepting that, the fact her fiance is her coach has worked for her well. She also added how Bjorn Fratangelo’s tennis career has also brought him insights to improvise Keys’s playstyle. “ So I think that’s been honestly one of the biggest things. And now when you can look up and your coach can say things to you and you can have that kind of back and forth, I think its been amazing being a player himself”- said Keys.

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A month back when this American WTA star was prepping to face off against Ons Jabeur in the Madrid Open’s quarterfinals, Keys dropped an exclusive opinion about her coach. “I’m ready to run forward for all of the drop shots that I will inevitably be running for tomorrow. She’s, I mean, she’s so good, and she’s so tricky. I feel like clay really suits her game because she can get away with so many more of the slices, the drop shots, and things like that. “So definitely going to be really ready for that. I’ll probably have Bjorn only slice to me tomorrow to get ready for it, uh, but I’m really looking forward to it”- Keys said.

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Madison Keys’s words speak volumes of her coach’s hard work. This American WTA player won the Strasbourg Open by defeating Danielle Collins by 6-1 and 6-2. Keys also reached the Italian Open’s quarterfinals but lost the round to Poland’s Iga Swiatek. Her Roland Garros 2024 performance has also been quite impressive as she reached the third round of the tour by defeating Mayar Sherif. Following her recent clay court performances, it is visible that Keys has been dominant on the surface.

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Despite doing really well on clay, Keys’s pace on clay received slight criticism following a reporter’ take on how she never needed a 25-second serve clock. However, this Strasbourg Open champion took that criticism sportingly and delighted her fans with her answer.

Madison Keys reveals that she would “probably melt if” her fast pace brings her a warning on the court

The 14th seed was questioned about her playing speed after defeating Sherif on Thursday. A reporter observed that Keys never required the 25-second serve clock, raising questions about whether it was implemented as a preventative measure following a warning for a time violation or as a means of outwitting the opposition. According to Madison Keys, her pace is ingrained in her natural style of play and she has never been penalized for time.

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I’ve just always played really fast and that’s just kind of how I go and I just kind of move at my own pace. I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a warning, I would probably melt if I did because it would be very strange. It’s just my natural pace of playing”- Keys said.

Notably, Keys’ remarks are made just before her matchup with fellow countrywoman Emma Navarro in the third round of the 2024 French Open on Saturday, June 1.

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Nevertheless, this American WTA star’s revelations about her coach helping her to improvise on clay, surely tell much about their great coordination. The way Keys is bagging tour titles, she might finally receive a major title with the partnership of Bjorn Fratangelo in Paris this time.

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Written by

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Upasana Banerjee

2,440 Articles

Upasana Banerjee is a Tennis Writer at EssentiallySports. Armed with a degree in Comparative Literature, she excels at weaving narratives and brining unique perspective to a graceful sport like Tennis. Whether it is dissecting player strategies or reflecting on timeless themes, Upasana's deep-rooted passion for the sport allows her to share insights and expert takes on any topic she covers. When away from the ES Desk, this true explorer can be found making plans for her next adventure trip.

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Ananya Giri

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