Madison Keys gives startling details about how she would like to retire from tennis
NewsThursday, 09 October 2025 at 00:00
Madison Keys had a fascinating perspective when discussing Gael Monfils' upcoming retirement during an episode of the Players' Box Podcast.
Keys, Jessica Pegula, Jennifer Brady, and Desirae Krawczyk started the Players' Box Podcast, and it is already gaining traction because of the lively banter between the four friends and American stars.
They cover various topics, like pop culture and off-court stories. For example, Pegula recounted a cleaning lady in Beijing walking in while she was trying to shower, leading to a prolonged awkward encounter because of the language barrier.
The four players also discuss tennis. Gael Monfils' announcement that he will end his outstanding career at the end of the 2026 season generated a debate about the ideal way of saying goodbye to tennis.
The Frenchman will play each tournament in 2026 with fans knowing it will be his last appearance at that event. Keys says she would not like that, preferring the idea of suddenly announcing her retirement in a press conference.
"I guess my thing is, it's like, would you want people to know that, like, every single match at every tournament is your last match at that tournament. So it's like a thing for the whole year."
"Or would you, like, I think, I personally will just be like all of a sudden just like walk into a press conference and be like so guys that was it. Bye. No, it'd probably be like six months later and it'd be like, 'So, as you saw, I haven't been playing, forgot to tell everyone that I retired, but here it is.'"
Pegula thinks the best answer lies between Monfils and Keys' positions. The 2024 US Open runner-up would not mind announcing her retirement six months ahead of time, but feels a whole year is too long.
"I think it just depends on the person. I think a whole year of knowing that would kind of stress me out. I'd maybe do like half a year or something. Like the last half of the year if I did like an announcement. A full year is a lot."
Keys and Pegula also gave their views on playing tennis as mothers
Both Top 10 players are married and in their thirties, raising the question of whether they might stop playing to have children. Although many players have returned to tennis after becoming mothers, Keys and Pegula outlined why they do not expect to follow that path.
"I don't see that happening. I also feel like I have a hard enough time traveling and keeping myself on a schedule. I can't imagine adding a baby to that. Like, for all people involved, I just feel that would be really, really hard."- Madison Keys
"No. There is no chance I would come back after having a kid. I admire and respect the ones that do, but that's just not on the cards for me. I cannot see myself doing that at all."- Jessica Pegula
Aryna Sabalenka has the opposite mindset. The WTA world No. 1 thinks she will start a family and return because of how much she loves the sport.
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