Madison Keys Exits Australian Open With Head Held High, Promises to Eat ‘Gross’ Apple Pie

American tennis star Madison Keys bowed out of the 2026 Australian Open in the fourth round but did so with pride. Despite the loss, she kept her spirits high and made headlines for a humorous pre-match wager  committing to eat what she jokingly called a “gross” apple pie.

Before the match, Keys and Pegula made a playful bet: if Keys lost, she would eat a cheese-covered apple pie something she jokingly called “gross.” True to her word, she promised to follow through, adding humor to her tournament exit.

Although her campaign ended early, Keys remains positive about the rest of the season, emphasizing growth, future opportunities, and maintaining a strong competitive mindset. Fans appreciated her mix of sportsmanship, humor, and resilience, proving she can handle defeat with grace.

Strong Performance Despite Loss
Keys was defeated 6‑3, 6‑4 by her close friend and rival Jessica Pegula at Melbourne Park. While the result wasn’t in her favor, Keys emphasized that she was proud of how she performed under pressure, especially as a defending champion.

After the match, she told reporters that although some days don’t go your way, she remains confident in her game and is focusing on the rest of the season rather than dwelling on a single loss.

The Humorous Apple Pie Bet
Before the match, Keys and Pegula made a lighthearted bet: if Keys lost, she would have to eat a cheese-covered apple pie something she wasn’t looking forward to. True to her word, Keys promised to honor the bet, adding a playful twist to her tournament exit.

Pegula also joked that if she had lost, she would have had to wear a rival NFL team’s jersey, giving the match extra competitive fun.

Looking Ahead
Although her run at the Australian Open ended earlier than she hoped, Keys remains positive. She acknowledged the season is long, with plenty of opportunities to improve and succeed in future tournaments.

Her ability to balance competitive drive with humor has won praise from fans and media alike, highlighting her mental strength and sportsmanship  key traits for professional success.

💬 Final Thoughts
Madison Keys leaves the Australian Open with her head held high, taking defeat in stride while honoring a fun off-court challenge. Her promise to eat the “gross” apple pie adds a humorous note to her 2026 Grand Slam journey, showing that even in loss, grace, humor, and sportsmanship can shine.