Madison Keys has withdrawn from the Internationaux de Strasbourg because of a left thigh injury, just days before the French Open starts.
The American, who won the Strasbourg title in 2024, hurt herself during the final of the Clarins Trophy in Paris on Sunday against Diane Parry. Keys won the first set 6-3 and was tied at 3-3 in the second when she began to struggle physically and had to retire from the match.
With obvious discomfort and tape on her left thigh, the world No. 19 chose not to risk making the injury worse before Roland Garros, which begins on May 24. “I’ve decided it’s best to withdraw from Strasbourg to get healthy and ready to compete in Roland Garros,” Keys said after announcing her withdrawal.
The 2018 French Open semi-finalist was set to face Cristina Bucșa in Strasbourg. Her late withdrawal allowed Zhang Shuai to enter the draw as a lucky loser.
Keys had a strong clay season last year before losing to the eventual champion Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros. Now she will focus on recovering in time for another deep run in Paris.
Only recently, Madison Keys revealed her biggest goal for her career on the Tennis Insider Club podcast. “I would love to win another Grand Slam. Honestly even before that I would love to put myself in position to even do that.”
“Last year finishing in the top 10, it was a huge goal of mine to make year ends again, so even getting to do that was a thing that I got to check off. I just kind of want to play until I don’t want to any more. I am really just trying to enjoy my life on Tour and have a good time on and off the court.
“Figure out how to find a balance of having this amazing life and living the way I want to, and playing good tennis. Some weeks it’s harder than others to do that, but I am just not ready to give it up yet.
“I think my biggest goal is just constantly reminding myself why I love playing, why I love being out here and just doing that, until I wake up in the morning and say I don’t want to go anywhere.”
