Frances Tiafoe and Madison Keys have announced their entry as partners in the mixed doubles event for the 2025 US Open. The pair, who have known each other for several years, previously played together at the 2023 United Cup. Their longstanding acquaintance sets the stage for a familiar yet competitive collaboration on the court.
On Tuesday, the US Open’s official Instagram channel released an interview featuring both players discussing their dynamic and the expectations surrounding their team-up. Keys candidly reflected on the unique challenge of partnering with Tiafoe, whose rising profile brings an added element of pressure.
“It’s going to be, it’ll be kind of tough to have to like deal with Frances’s celebrity level. It’s going to be a new experience for me,” Keys said.
“I always tell him he is the most famous person that I know. So it’ll be a lot of pressure to be on the court with him. But I’ll, I’ll try to, I’ll try to rise to the occasion,” Keys said.
Keys Shares More About Their Previous Time Together at the United Cup
Reflecting on their time playing alongside each other at the 2023 United Cup, Keys described the quirks they encountered off the court. She noted Tiafoe’s habits during matches and how they sparked playful tension, especially given her preference for orderliness.
“Having sat behind Frances at United Cup, mostly it’s just like anytime he changes his shirt, I’m going to have to like put the umbrella up,” Keys explained. “We might have to clean that up. I’m pretty OCD. I like a neat and tidy space. Or we’ll have to get like the tape out and divide the bench in half and he can have his bench and I can have mine how I have mine.”
Tiafoe Reflects on His Bond With Keys Beyond the Court
Frances Tiafoe revealed the depth of their relationship stretches beyond tennis, highlighting a close friendship despite their small age difference. He mentioned he sometimes calls Keys “mom,” a playful nickname that underscores their familiarity. Tiafoe also recounted how they used to live in the same apartment building, which strengthened their connection.
“You know, I love Maddy. You know, I’m so happy for her. I’ve been like a fan of her for so long,” Tiafoe said. “I’ve stayed in the same apartment building as hers. I used to ask her all kinds of questions, doing laundry and all this other stuff, cooking meals. We’ve been close for a really long time.”
Despite their friendship, Keys admitted she finds it stressful whenever Tiafoe sends her good-luck messages before tournaments, as she feels it jinxes her performance.
Past US Open Mixed Doubles Experiences of Tiafoe and Keys
Madison Keys last participated in the US Open mixed doubles in 2022, partnering with her husband, Bjorn Fratangelo. Frances Tiafoe’s last appearance in this event was in 2018 alongside fellow American Whitney Osuigwe. Neither player advanced far in their previous mixed doubles outings, indicating that this upcoming partnership could be a fresh opportunity to improve their results.
What This Partnership Means for the US Open Mixed Doubles
The combination of Keys and Tiafoe in the 2025 US Open mixed doubles promises an intriguing mix of experience and camaraderie. Their established rapport and mutual respect may help them overcome the pressures of tournament play. Given their history and shared goals, this pairing could energize their campaigns and attract significant attention during the event.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if this duo’s chemistry translates into stronger on-court performances, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of mixed doubles at the US Open.