Author: Shrivasa Sridhar
MELBOURNE, Jan 26 (Reuters) – Madison Keys said she will leave the Australian Open with pride despite being beaten in straight sets by Jessica Pegula in the fourth round and promised to cash in on a pre-match bet by eating cheese and apple pie.
advertise
Keys, who enjoyed a stellar performance in last year’s tournament to win her first Grand Slam title, played against her close friends and said she was satisfied she had lived up to expectations on her return to Melbourne Park.
“Obviously it’s not the way I wanted it to end, but I’m still proud of myself,” Keys told reporters after the 6-3 6-4 loss at Rod Laver Arena.
“I think with all the extra pressure and tension that comes with being the defending champion, I’m proud of the way I handled it.
“It was just one of those days where I felt like Jesse had beaten me and I could walk away with my head held high.”
advertise
Keys said she won’t dwell on the loss and is looking forward to the rest of the season.
“I still have 11 months left in the year and there’s still a lot to be proud of and I’m going to go out and work on new things and try to implement them in the next race,” she added.
“I’m disappointed, but at this point in my career, I’m really trying not to let every win and loss kill me.”
Keys also plans to cash in on a bet with her compatriots by tucking into apple pie.
Pegula, whose parents own the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, will be forced to wear a jersey of the rival Kansas City Chiefs if she loses, citing that as extra motivation to win.
advertise
“The bet is the bet, so I’m going to do it,” Case said.
“I hope it’s not as serious as I thought it was, but I think we’ll find out.”
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
