Madison Keys refused to shake Amanda Anisimova’s hand following the conclusion of their group stage conflict on the 2025 WTA Finals. Keys instructed Anisimova that she wasn’t feeling properly. Subsequently, the reigning Australian Open champion additionally selected to not shake the chair umpire’s hand. Nevertheless, a number of tennis followers questioned why Keys stayed again to signal autographs if she was certainly down with some kind of a contagious sickness.
On Monday, November 3, Keys and Anisimova’s all-American encounter in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, went the space. In the end, it was Anisimova who got here out on prime with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win. Within the instant aftermath of the match’s conclusion, Keys prevented shaking the palms of each Anisimova and the chair umpire.
Later, tennis journalist Jose Morgado took to X (previously Twitter) and advised that Madison Keys was probably affected by a viral an infection. Morgado additionally predicted Keys’ withdrawal from the 2025 WTA Finals and Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva being known as as much as play in her place in opposition to Elena Rybakina within the ultimate spherical of group stage matches.
“Keys asks to not handshake Anisimova. She in all probability bought some kind of virus. Will not be shocking to see Andreeva play the lifeless rubber vs. Rybakina in two days…,” Morgado wrote.
Many tennis followers on X questioned Madison Keys’ determination to play in opposition to Amanda Anisimova on the 2025 WTA Finals if she knew beforehand about her probably contagious viral sickness.
“However she went and signed autographs,” one fan wrote.
“She does know that the balls they play with are touched by Amanda too and even the poor ball youngsters 😅. If she does have one thing everybody has it now already,” commented one other.
“However they been taking part in with these tennis balls all dis time…tossing them…catching them,” one other fan weighed in.
“Then why was she signing tennis balls after for followers?,” questioned one.
“Don’t let her close to Rybakina 😭 Elena is lastly taking part in some good tennis. we are able to’t afford any viruses,” a fan of the Kazakh added.
“She didn’t really feel properly sufficient to shake however properly sufficient to the touch the tennis balls?,” weighed in yet one more fan.
“Madison Keys was taking part in some unreal tennis” – Amanda Anisimova after defeating compatriot in WTA Finals 2025 group stage
In her post-match interview, Amanda Anisimova, with out giving freely an excessive amount of, mirrored on how she needed to alter her recreation to compete with Madison Keys after shedding the primary set. Acknowledging Keys’ highly effective and aggressive model of play, Anisimova stated:
“I don’t wish to give too many secrets and techniques away. However I needed to make a couple of changes for certain. I attempted to not go for it as a lot as I used to be to start with. Maddie’s an enormous hitter and he or she was taking part in some unreal tennis.”
Amanda Anisimova’s victory in opposition to Madison Keys retains her hopes of reaching the semifinals in Riyadh alive. Whether or not she does find yourself reaching the final 4 or not will probably be determined by her end result in opposition to Iga Swiatek within the ultimate spherical of group stage matches. Solely Elena Rybakina has secured progress to the semis so removed from the Serena Williams Group.
Edited by Sudipto Pati