Shortly before her opening match, 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys abruptly withdrew from the Mutua Madrid Open. She was replaced by lucky loser Anastasia Potapova who seized the opportunity and won the match in straight sets.
Keys has been seen on the grounds looking relaxed and happy for days so this came as a surprise to many.
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Why Keys withdrew
Keys is reportedly dealing with an illness, and that is the reason for her withdrawal. Viral illnesses have been prevalent on the WTA Tour. Elise Mertens withdrew from tne Miami Open women’s doubles semifinals becasue she was sick.
Mar 22, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Madison Keys (USA) reacts after winning a point against Qinwen Zheng (CHN) (not pictured) on day six of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Emma Raducanu has not played since Indian Wells where she reportedly contracted a respiratory illness.
Mertens is back playing on the WTA Tour, but Raducanu is not.
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Why fans should be concerned
With the European clay court leg of the tennis season in full force, a Keys illness is not optimal. Back-to-back WTA 1000 tournaments in Madrid and Italy lead into the French Open.
Another potential problem is that Keys was practicing with Jessica Pegula. Hopefully, she did not acquire the illness.
Hopefully Keys gets well and gets back to tennis when she is physically ready.
Pegula is still in the tournament. Partnered with Caty McNally, she lost her opening doubles match. She plays her first singles match on Friday against Britain’s Katie Boulter.
Watch the 2026 Mutua Madrid Open on Tennis Channel through May 3.
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