As the Italian Open starts, the absence of dominant figures on both the ATP and WTA Tours is more noticeable than ever. Jannik Sinner’s three-month suspension left a temporary void at the top of the men’s game, while the women’s circuit had new champions. Madison Keys, who won the Australian Open early this year, reflected on the change of tide, especially after legends such as Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal left the game.
“There are so many players now […] you wouldn’t be surprised if 20 different people won a tournament,” Keys said recently, reflecting on the current state of the game. “It’s happening on both tours.”
According to the American, part of this shift stems from the retirement of iconic names such as Williams, Federer or Nadal. “You don’t have Serena showing up and assuming she’s going to win every time. On the men’s side, you don’t have Roger, Rafa, and Novak [Djokovic] every single week either.”
But the change isn’t just about who’s missing, it’s also about how much deeper the competition has become. “The base level has gotten much higher. The margin for error is so much smaller,” Keys said. “If both players are playing well, the match could come down to just two points.”
Novak Djokovic has struggled during the 2025 season (Getty Images)
She also noted that today’s players are getting stronger and that the game is now “more physical” than ever. “Players are getting fitter and staying healthy longer,” she added. “That’s why we’re seeing so many close, competitive matches.”
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Madison Keys’ breakthrough 2025 season
While Keys has long been a consistent force on the WTA Tour, 2025 has been her most successful campaign to date. In January, she captured her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in a career-defining final. It marked a return to the sport’s biggest stage nearly eight years after her first major final appearance at the 2017 US Open.
The 30-year-old began her season with a title in Adelaide, beating fellow American Jessica Pegula in the final. Strong showings at Indian Wells and the Madrid Open have followed, cementing her status as one of the year’s most consistent players. However, as she expressed, anything can happen this season.
