Young American Hopefuls Take Aim Down Under
Madison Keys and Rhyne Williams won the USTA Australian Open Wild Card Playoffs last weekend in Atlanta, earning a trip to Melbourne to take part in the 2013. For Keys, it’s her second win in a row at the Australian Open Playoff. For Rhyne, it will be his first appearance at a Grand Slam other than the U.S. Open where he qualified this year and played fellow American Andy Roddick.
Williams, currently coached by his cousin Christopher Williams, is a former Tennessee Volunteer and was the NCAA runner-up two years ago as a sophomore.
"I am really thankful to the USTA for the opportunity to play this tournament," said Williams. "It’s a relief to win it and not have to worry about playing the qualifying down there. I know how hard it is to get through the qualifying. I’m really happy and excited to be in the main draw of Australia. It’s going to be my first trip down there. Looking to have fun with it and go out there and do my best."
Williams is headed back to Knoxville and will head Down Under Sunday to begin work in Australia.
"I’m starting in Brisbane," said Williams. "I am looking to start off on a good note. But we’ve been training extremely hard down here. It’s really warm, just like Australia, maybe not quite the same temperature, but this is
just about the best place you can train, Boca Raton. We’ve done a great job this off-season."
Keys is also headed Down Under early, and will spend the Christmas holiday there.
"I’m going to New Zealand the 23rd, and we land the 25th," said Keys of her year-end plans. "I’m kind of sad that I don’t get to spend Christmas with my family, but we’re going to do a Christmas before I leave. It kind of comes with the territory. I mean, you’re pretty used to being gone on holidays and your birthday, so you’re kind of used to it. Last year I kind of got my butt kicked by Zheng Jie. Obviously, I wish the outcome was a little bit better. But this year hopefully I can go down and do better."
Keys finished the year strong, winning a challenger in Canada, and advancing to the semis of another challenger, before winning a $75,000 Pro Circuit event in Phoenix.
"It was a good way to end the season for me," said Keys. "I came off the year feeling really confident, having a good idea of how I wanted to play. So I think my game is kind of coming together a little bit better. I’m kind of understanding it a little bit. So I’m really excited just to go down to New Zealand and Sydney, the warmup tournaments for Australia, just really try to keep the momentum going."
Keys has her sights set on a strong 2013. After the Australian Open, she aims to qualify for Wimbledon or the U.S. Open.
"I would like to be able to make main draw by myself, which would be top 100 … that would be incredible," said Keys. "That’s probably the biggest goal I have for the next year."
WIlliams too shares Keys’ goals for thje new year.
"I just want to keep making runs in Grand Slams," said Williams. "Hopefully I can get through the qualifying in Wimbledon and the French Open. I would love to be in the main draw of those off my ranking, but that’s going to be extremely tough to do that. I know how hard it is to move up the rankings. Now is the really tricky part to get from the 200s to the low 100s. It’s going to be difficult, but I’d like to keep competing hard and giving myself the best chance to succeed. Hopefully I can see the main draw of Wimbledon and French Open obviously after Australia. That would be great."
