Madison Keys, a former Australian Open champion and one of the seeded players expected to make a deep Wimbledon run, was eliminated in the third round after a 3-6, 3-6 loss to Laura Siegemund. This Wimbledon upset reaction from Siegemund shed light on her candid approach to handling pressure during such a critical match.
During her post-match interview, Siegemund was asked if she felt nervous as victory drew near. The German player responded with a mix of humor and realism about the intense feelings athletes face in key moments.
If you don’t have nerves in this moment, you’re probably dead.
This remark highlighted her acceptance of nerves as an inevitable part of competing at the highest level, especially in a prestigious tournament like Wimbledon.
How Siegemund Managed Pressure to Overcome a Top Competitor
After the match, Siegemund shared insights into her mental approach that helped her overcome Keys, who was considered a pre-tournament favorite. Her mindset focused on maintaining self-awareness and avoiding the pitfalls of overreaching perfectionism.
All the girls that are out here at this kind of level are perfectionists and sometimes, that gets in your way because you always want more and you get kind of greedy,
Siegemund explained.
She emphasized understanding her own limits and strengths as a pathway to staying grounded:
I know what I can do, and I know what I can’t do.
Expanding on this, she noted that focusing on her personal goals rather than external expectations helped ease the pressure. She stated that recognizing the boundary between effort and outcome allows her to play more freely, reducing anxiety during matches.
“With getting more, you want more. It’s the same thing (in life). We always want more. But sometimes, it’s just important to remember the core of why you are doing something. And when it comes down to, I am playing for me, then all the pressure goes away. Because I know what I can do, and I also know what I cannot do. If I do well, I win. If I don’t, I lose,”
Siegemund added.
Upcoming Challenge: Laura Siegemund to Face Solana Sierra in Wimbledon Fourth Round
Following her upset over Keys, Siegemund will face Argentine Solana Sierra in the fourth round. Sierra has drawn attention as one of the tournament’s unexpected performers. She advanced to the Round of 16 by defeating Cristina Bucșa in three sets, making history as the first lucky loser to reach this stage at Wimbledon during the Open Era.
Having not dropped a set so far in Wimbledon 2025, Siegemund is poised to reach her second Grand Slam singles quarterfinal if she defeats Sierra. This next match will test Siegemund’s resilience and ability to maintain her composure under pressure as she continues her surprising run in the grass-court Major.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Madison Keys get her teeth fixed?
A. Madison Keys, a well-known tennis player, chose to improve her teeth with a smile makeover. Even with a thriving career, she felt uneasy about her smile. She thought that having better teeth would enhance her confidence in her personal life and while playing tennis.
Q. Did Madison Keys switch to Yonex?
A. Professional Journey. Madison Keys swiftly adjusted after changing to a Yonex racquet. She mentioned she “fell in love quickly” and believed it improved her strong playing style.
Q. Why did Madison Keys quit?
A. In the third set of her fourth-round match against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, the American player retired because of a poorly timed leg injury. This occurred during the final games in England. Paolini, recently the runner-up at the French Open, advanced to the quarterfinals. “I’m so sorry for her.”
Q. Did Madison Keys change to Yonex?
A. A few weeks before the 2025 Australian Open, Keys started using a Yonex racquet. She later won the tournament by defeating world No. 2 Iga Swiatek and No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Keys remembered, “I think I had two different Yonex racquets.”