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Madison Keys makes unexpected decision after premature Italian Open loss
American tennis star Madison Keys lost her Round of 32 match at the Italian Open on Sunday. She fell in three sets to lucky loser Nikola Bartunkova, 3-6, 6-1, 4-6. Barunkova is another in the long line of high quality Czech Republic players.
Keysβ European clay court match play leading up to the French Open has been spotty. She got violently ill at the Mutua Madrid Open and was forced to withdraw. It took her days to recover and feel healthy enough to resume training.
Because of her lack of red clay play this spring, Keys is making a surprising decision.
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What Keys is doing
Keys will be the top seed in next weekβs WTA 125 Paris Challenger event called Trophee Clarins played on the outdoor clay courts in the middle of Bois de Boulogne.
Mar 9, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Madison Keys of the United States in action against Sonay Kartal of Great Britain in the third round of the womenβs singles at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Though Keys is the top seed, she is joined in the draw by other recognizable names and faces of the WTA Tour including Leylah Fernandez, Maya Joint, McCartney Kessler, Katie Boulter (defending champion), Emma Navarro, and Charleston Open finalist Yulia Stardubtseva. All were ousted earlier than expected from the Italian Open.
That is an outstanding lineup for a 125 event. The players have the same goal, build momentum and win matches in Paris before Roland Garros begins later this month.
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The Italian Open will get top billing on Tennis Channel during the upcoming week (May 11-17), but fans will also have their eyes on Trophee Clarins action also.
