In a major blow to home fans’ hopes, both Madison Keys and Taylor Fritz crashed out of the 2026 US Open in the third round, despite having victory within reach. Following their heartbreaking defeats, both American stars opened up about their emotions and reflected on the painful end to their campaigns in New York.
Madison Keys Opens Up About Her Struggles After US Open Exit
Keys made a dominant start to her third-round showdown against Zheng Qinwen, winning the opening set 6-1 in just 23 minutes. However, Zheng raised her level in the second set and won the tiebreak to force a decider. Despite the setback, the American looked firmly in control in the third set, racing to a 5-0 lead and even holding match point at 5-1.
However, in a thrilling turnaround, Zheng fought back from the brink of defeat to claim a 1-6, 7-6(3), 7-5 victory. She advanced to the fourth round of the US Open after battling her way through the qualifiers to reach the main draw.
During her post-match press conference, a visibly emotional Keys revealed that she became “really scared” after taking a commanding lead in the decider. She explained that she was overwhelmed by the difficulties surrounding her game.
“I feel like I got off to a really good lead and then I just got really scared, like I couldn’t swing. Tennis just feels really hard right now. I feel like that kind of took over,” Keys said.
The teary-eyed American disclosed that her struggles had been ongoing for quite some time and emphasized the need to make crucial changes to address the challenges affecting her on the court.
“I just feel like I’ve kind of been struggling for a while now and I feel like I was able to play through it for a bit. I’m sure everyone could kind of see that I was struggling a bit. Inside it’s felt probably even bigger than that. Some weeks are easier than others. This week is obviously one of the harder ones just because you care so much. I’m gonna have to make some sort of changes,” she continued.
Keys further acknowledged that those changes could no longer be delayed, saying, “I think it’s been something that’s been building for a while. I just kind of keep pushing it off and pushing it off because that’s how the tennis world works. It’s just to the point where I actually need to do something about it.”
Madison Keys with some heartbreaking quotes after losing to Qinwen Zheng from 5-0 match point up in the 3rd set at U.S. Open
“I feel like I got off to a really good lead and then I just got really scared. I felt like I couldn’t swing. Tennis just feels really hard right now. I… pic.twitter.com/2gKxgsVZso
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 5, 2026
What Taylor Fritz Said After His US Open Loss
Fritz looked poised for a deep run at the US Open, having claimed commanding straight-set victories in his first two matches in New York. He appeared on course for another clinical triumph over Francisco Cerúndolo in the third round, as he held a 6-3, 6-4 lead and broke Cerúndolo’s serve in the opening game of the third set.
However, the Argentine raised his level to break back immediately and went on to win the third and fourth sets, sending the match to a fifth. Fritz then failed to capitalize on three crucial break points at 4-3 in the decider, and Cerúndolo eventually sealed a 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory in three hours and 39 minutes.
The American struggled to make sense of the defeat during his post-match press conference, saying he needed to decompress alone to come to terms with the devastating loss.
“I mean yeah. I don’t even know what to say. I don’t really want to talk to anybody, see anybody. I kind of just need to get out for a couple days and get back to work. I don’t know how I let that happen today,” Fritz said.
Taylor Fritz after his loss to Francisco Cerundolo at the U.S. Open
“On the scale of your disappointment, is it pretty high? Given the way you were playing.”
Taylor: “I mean yeah. I don’t even know what to say. I don’t really want to talk to anybody, see anybody. I kind of just… pic.twitter.com/DzUH8aZPfg
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 5, 2026
Fritz also acknowledged his serving difficulties, pointing out how Cerúndolo did not let slip the opportunity to punish his serve once the tide turned in the match.
“He played a very good game to get the break back in the third. It was kind of just the same thing that had been happening, as I wasn’t serving as well as I normally do,” he said.
“On top of that, he’s a very, very good returner. I think it made it look and feel worse, and the fact that I wasn’t really hitting my spots enough on the serve. He was punishing me more than maybe a normal person would,” he added.
MORE: Tommy Paul Drops a Sarcastic Comment As Taylor Fritz Races to US Open Third Round
Taylor Fritz and Madison Keys were not the only American stars to suffer disappointing losses on Day 7 of the US Open. Last year’s runner-up, Amanda Anisimova, also faced an upset in New York, with Anastasia Potapova securing a 6-2, 7-5 victory in their third-round clash.
