Renata Zarazua Remembers Serena and Venus Williams After Stunning Madison Keys at US Open

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Vivek Devane | Last updated Aug 27, 2025 12:26 PM ET

In one of the biggest surprises of the opening round at the US Open 2025, Mexico’s Renata Zarazua pulled off a stunning upset against Australian Open champion Madison Keys. Coming in as a clear underdog, Zarazua faced not only the No. 1 American but also the energy of the New York crowd firmly behind Keys. Yet, the Mexican held her composure and capitalized on Keys’ inconsistent performance to seal the victory in straight sets.

Keys never truly found her rhythm on court, and Zarazua showcased admirable resilience by holding her nerve in the most critical moments of the match. The win marks one of the most significant victories of her career so far, announcing her as a player capable of competing with the very best.

Speaking after the match, Zarazua reflected on her unlikely journey into tennis. She revealed that she grew up admiring Serena and Venus Williams, even though tennis was far from a mainstream sport in Mexico.

“See, I looked up to many players like Serena and Venus were a lot of the players that I watched growing up,” she said. “But in Mexico, it’s probably not the most famous sport—it’s a little bit more about soccer or other sports,” added Zarazua.

“I actually used to do gymnastics and a bit of diving, which are more popular in Mexico. Then I got into tennis just because my brother was playing, and he was like, ‘I think this is a bit safer sport,’ so that’s how I got into it, because I couldn’t do all three at the same time,” she added.

Zarazua added that hitting balls with her brother gradually made her fall in love with the sport. For a player who began her tennis journey almost by chance, Zarazua’s triumph over one of the tournament favorites gives her decision to pick tennis as career a validation.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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