Madison Keys And Rhyne Williams Are Headed Down Under

Written by: Staff on 24th December 2012

Madison Keys And Rhyne Williams Are Headed Down Under

epa02890213 Madison Keys of the US hits a return to Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic during their second round match on the third day of the 2011 US Open Tennis Championship at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, USA 31 August 2011. The US Open runs through 11 September 2011. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO |

American teenager Madison Keys showed off her substantial potential by winning the USTA Australian Open Wild card playoff and is headed to Auckland with a group of other young Americans including Shelby Rogers, Lauren Davis, Maria Sanchez and Grace Minh.

It seems as if the group has become very close personally. “I’m very excited for all of us going down there,” Keys said. “I think we’ve all worked very hard this off-season. I think everyone has put in the work.”

One of the fastest up and comers who also sports substantial power, Keys found it difficult bouncing between the juniors and pros. Keys will turn 18 in February and consequently the WTA age restrictions on her will be loosened. She pleased about that.

“I think being able to play all pro tournaments has really helped me kind of find my game a little bit more,” she said. “I’ve been working really hard, done lots of fitness. I’m kind of playing more like a pro instead of a junior, playing smarter, being more aggressive, just being in better shape. I think that’s just really helped me out.”

The US male who won the USTA Australian Open wild card, Rhyne Williams, will also be traveling Down Under with another younger American. Tennys Sandgren, who is his best friend and who also went to the University of Tennessee.

Williams is being coached by his cousin Christopher Williams, who has been living at USTA headquarters with coaches Tom Gullikson and Troy Hahn. USTA fitness coach Gabriel Echevarria has also been working with Williams and according to the 21 year old has been “kicking my butt this off-season.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: American tennis news, Australian Open, Madison Keys, Rhyne Williams, Usta, wildcards tennis news