Defending champion Madison Keys navigated a turbulent opening to her Australian Open 2026 campaign, shaking off significant nerves to secure a first-round victory on Rod Laver Arena.
A Jittery Start on Centre Court
The American ninth seed, who stunned the tennis world by winning her maiden major title here twelve months ago, admitted to feeling the weight of expectation. Her opening performance reflected those nerves, as she lost the first four games against Ukrainian qualifier Oleksandra Oliynykova. Keys looked out of sorts initially, struggling to find her rhythm on the same court where she famously defeated Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set epic in 2025.
Composure Regained in Melbourne
Displaying the resilience of a grand slam champion, Keys gradually steadied herself. She battled back to force a first-set tie-break, which she eventually claimed 10-8 in the breaker after a tense exchange. With the initial hurdle cleared, her confidence visibly returned. The second set was a far more straightforward affair, with Keys dominating to close out a 7-6 (8), 6-1 victory and advance to the second round.
"I've been thinking about this moment for basically a year," Keys confessed after the match. "I'm so happy to be back in Melbourne. Obviously I was very nervous at the start." Her pre-tournament comments about anxiety as the defending champion proved prophetic, but she successfully navigated the first obstacle.
Looking Ahead in the Title Defence
This win marks a crucial first step in Keys's title defence, following a 2025 season where she failed to add another trophy to her cabinet after her Melbourne triumph. Her preparation for this year's event included quarter-final exits at both the Brisbane and Adelaide tournaments. The victory over Oliynykova will be a relief and provides a platform to build momentum as she aims to progress deeper into the draw and potentially replicate her fairy-tale run from last year.
The focus now shifts to her next opponent as she continues her journey at Melbourne Park, hoping to transform a stuttering start into a convincing title defence in the coming fortnight.
