"One of the best without major": Mats Wilander switches tune on Madison Keys, joins McEnroe and Courier in praise

Mats Wilander put aside his criticisms of Madison Keys after the American reached the semifinals of the Australian Open. The 7-time Grand Slam champion had pointed out flaws in Keys' defensive game a week ago, but this time, he aligned with Jim Courier and John McEnroe, calling her one of the best players without a major title.

Madison Keys' run to the Australian Open semifinals was a surprise for many, as she knocked out one of the tournament's favorites, Elena Rybakina, and then the experienced Elina Svitolina. The World No. 14 has had an impressive start to the season, with a 10-match winning streak as she prepares to face Iga Swiatek in search of her second Grand Slam final.

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The next challenge for Keys is none other than 5-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek, a tough challenge considering the tremendous level the Polish player has shown, conceding just 7 games in her last 4 matches. "It’s quite a big step up, especially the way Iga is playing and the way she is not giving away any games," Wilander said on Eurosport.

“She looks like she is playing a bit more aggressively than normally but, on the other hand, Iga hasn’t played against a big ball striker like Madison Keys, and that is what we think Iga struggles with a bit – it is against Sabalenka and Rybakina,” he added. “If Madison Keys is playing this way, then she basically has the perfect game to hurt Iga on the first hard court."

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“She is coming in with so much confidence now, and there is no pressure on her to win this match. She has been here before, she has been in the final of the US Open and the semis here a few years back, so I am really looking forward to it.”

“I always thought Madison Keys – Johnny Mac [John McEnroe] said that she is one of the best players to have not won a major, I believe, and so did Jim Courier – and it’s pretty close to that for me too.”

Swiatek and Keys will face off on Thursday night at Rod Laver Arena to determine the second finalist of the tournament. Just before them, Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka will play the first semifinal.

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