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American tennis star Madison Keys said Thursday she hopes the United States can “come together and return to the values that I think make our country great,” when asked about President Donald Trump’s second term at the Australian Open.
This move came after Keys defeated Ashlyn Krueger in the second round of the Australian Open and before her match against Karolina Pliskova. A Grand Slam tournament reporter regularly asks American players what they think of the United States, a year into Trump’s second term.
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American Madison Keyes reacts during a press conference ahead of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, January 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
“A year into the second Trump administration, tensions in the United States are ridiculously high,” the journalist said. “I’m just wondering what you personally think about what the Trump administration is doing and how you felt when you spent time in the United States?”
“I think my position has been pretty obvious. I think my position has been pretty obvious,” Keys responded. “I am hopeful that we, as a country, can come together and return to the values that I believe make our country great.
American Madison Keys plays a forehand return to compatriot Ashlyn Krueger during her second round match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, January 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
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“I’m not a fan of divisions. I think the beauty of America is that we’re a mixture. We’re very diverse. We’re a home of immigrants. And I hope we can return to those values.”
Keys had similar criticisms of Trump in June during Wimbledon.
Madison Keys of the United States after her first round match against Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine during the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park. (Jaimi Joy/Reuters)
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“Sometimes it’s hard to turn it off enough to not tear your hair out,” she said of the so-called challenges of trying to stay informed on national topics.
