Yet another multiple Grand Slam champion is now working with talented young American Madison Keys.
Mats Wilander, the seven-time major singles champion, has started working with Keys this week at the Miami Open. Several fans saw them working together on a practice court before the start of the combined ATP and WTA event.
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Italian tennis website UbiTennis posted an article about the new pairing that was later posted on the “Wilander on Wheels” Facebook page for Wilander’s traveling tennis coaching program adding more credence to the new partnership. Keys recently ended on good terms her coaching arrangement with Lindsay Davenport.
Since then, Keys has only played in two events in 2016. She reached the fourth round of Melbourne before losing to Zhang Shuai.
A leg injury kept her out of WTA events before Indian Wells where she lost in the first round to Nicole Gibbs.
Wilander has coached several players in the past including Marat Safin, Paul-Henri Mathieu, and Tatiana Golovin. Wilander, in his media duties as a commentator, has spoken about Keys’ potential as a player.
Speaking to Swedish media, Wilander said he would like to add more variety to Keys’ game. “First and foremost, it’s about her playing more varied. She and Serena Williams hit the hardest for the ladies, but I want to get Madison to get some more top spin in her forehand than what she has now,” Wilander told a Swedish website.
Seeded No. 22 in Miami, Keys is scheduled to face Kirsten Flipkens in the second round.