LIFE & CULTURE

Madison Keys & Her Partner Bjorn Fratangelo Could Be Tennis’ Next It-Couple

The rising star's partner loves the game just as much as she does.
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Forget Prince William and Kate Middleton, in tennis world, there’s an emerging couple who have the makings of sporting royalty. The duo at hand? Madison Keys and Bjorn Fratangelo. 

At 26 years old, Keys, who reigns from Illinois, USA, has stormed the sporting scene with some impressive wins to her name. She was previously seeded seventh in the world at her height, but there’s no doubt she could beat that.

In January 2022, Keys beat fellow American Alison Riske in straight sets to take out the WTA title at the Adelaide International 2, and she’s since reached the semi-final of the Australian Open where she’ll take on Australia’s own Ash Barty.  

Meanwhile, 28-year-old Fratangelo’s success came a little earlier when he won the boys’ singles title at the 2011 French Open. The Pennsylvanian turned pro in 2012 and later won a game at the 2016 French Open. 

In 2021, the couple teamed up to compete in the mixed doubles at the US Open, where they reached the second round before sadly being knocked out—here’s hoping there’s a round two to come. 

Convinced they’re a tennis power couple? Keep reading for more on their relationship. 

madison-keys-partner
(Credit: Instagram / @madisonkeys)

How did Madison Keys and Bjorn Fratangelo meet?

Keys and Fratangelo both moved to Boca Raton, Florida when they were younger, where they trained at the same tennis facility. Per ATPTourthey met through the mutual friends they shared there. 

Fratangelo later moved to Orlando, with Keys following him shortly after. They lived in the same complex, and subsequently began dating in 2017. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, the pair isolated together in the US. They shared some of their unique experience on Instagram. 

“No one I would rather get dressed up to go to the kitchen with,” Keys shared on Instagram alongside a selfie of the pair at home together. 

They also shared several pictures of their joint at-home workouts. Athlete’s gotta what an athlete’s gotta do, we guess… 

madison-keys-partner
(Credit: Instagram / @madisonkeys)

What have they said about each other?

Along with their workouts and selfies posted to Instagram, the couple have also spoken about playing together.

After competing at the US Open mixed doubles tournament, Keys commented on why it had taken them so long to finally team up. 

“He finally wore me down,” Keys explained to media.

“I was always just saying I was going to be so nervous and I was going to have to try so hard, but he finally said, ‘We’ll just have some fun.’ I’m very happy that we did it.”

She added: “Of all the memories you have of all the matches, it’s obviously the people you are with who make those moments.”

“To be able to have a moment on court together I think is definitely something that is going to stick in my mind.”

Fratangelo added of his partner: “I think just to play with someone who you love and who you care about the most [is special].

“I had a lot of fun out there with her. We were joking a lot on the changeovers.” 

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