All About Madison Keys' Parents, Rick and Christine Keys

Mar. 15, 2025

Left: Madison Keys on Day Four of the 2023 US Open on August 31, 2023. Right: Madison Keys and her mom Christine Keys.Photo:Matthew Stockman/Getty ; Madison Keys/Instagram

Matthew Stockman/Getty ; Madison Keys/Instagram

Madison Keys’ parents, Rick and Christine Keys, sacrificed for their daughter to reach tennis stardom.

Attorney and former college basketball player Rick, and attorney Christine, welcomed their daughter Madison on Feb. 17, 1995, in Rock Island, Ill. The couple also have two younger daughters: Montana and Hunter.

To support Madison’s dreams as she improved her tennis skill level, Christine paused her career and moved to Boca Raton, Fla., with Madison and her sisters, so their eldest daughter could attend the Evert Tennis Academy. The mother-daughter pair grew close during these years in Florida.

Those years of sacrifice paid off in January 2025, whenMadison won the Australian Open— the first major title of her career.

From their careers to supporting her tennis dreams, here’s everything to know about Madison Keys’ parents, Rick and Christine Keys.

Christine is an attorney, but retired for 10 years to help Madison pursue her dreams

Madison Keys during Day Five of The Championships - Wimbledon 2021 on July 02, 2021 in London, England.Mike Hewitt/Getty

Mike Hewitt/Getty

Christine has had a successful career as an attorney specializing in personal injury and workers' compensation after graduating from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago in 1991. According to herLinkedInprofile, from 1995 to 2005 she worked as an attorney at Nelson, Keys & Keys, PC with her husband Rick.

When Christine and Rick recognized Madison’s potential to become a professional tennis player, they enrolled her in Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton. To make this happen, Christine retired from her legal practice for 10 years before opening her own practice again in 2015.

She eventually returned to Winstein, Kavensky & Cunningham, LLC, to practice law in Rock Island. This was the same firm she worked at after law school in 1993.

Rick is an attorney

When Madison and her parents made the decision for her to pursue a tennis career when she was only 9 years old, Rick and Christine had to make sacrifices. While Christine retired from her career for a decade, Rick continued working as an attorney in Rock Island to support Madison’s dreams.

“I have to spend most of my time in Rock Island in order to keep the dream alive. I have to take care of business here which was something Christine and I used to do together,” Rick told Vavel. “Her role in Florida was mother, chauffeur, cook, support team, school etc. Mostly on her own. We both had to make sacrifices and take on significant roles to make it work.”

Rick has had a successful career as an attorney for over three decades and is now an attorney and partner in Keys Law Offices, PC. He graduated from John Marshall Law School in Chicago in 1991 and focuses his practice on personal injury claims and criminal defense law.

Madison Keys and her mom Christine Keys in a family photo.Madison Keys/Instagram

Madison Keys/Instagram

Madison was originally inspired to start playing tennis while watching Venus Williams. It wasn’t just Venus’ play that inspired Madison, but her style as well.

Madison’s parents eventually got her both the dress and a racquet and Madison went on to have a successful professional tennis career, known for her powerful forehand and aggressive style of play.

Rick and Christine have three kids

When Madison moved to Boca Raton with Christine, her two younger daughters, Montana and Hunter, came with her.

“The best part about being a mom is watching your child figure out a problem,” Christine said in the United States Tennis Association video. “When they can figure something out based on the skills that you’ve helped them develop and they actually are successful at making a good decision, that’s the best part.”

Madison and her mom have a passion for interior design

Madison Keys on Day 5 of the French Open at Roland Garros on May 30, 2024.Robert Prange/Getty

Robert Prange/Getty

When Madison interviewed Christine for the United States Tennis Association, she asked her what activities she enjoys doing with her. “We are excellent house designers, house decorators, shoppers, movie-goers and dinner companions,” Christine responded.

She and Madison have a shared love of interior design. In 2020, Madison gave an exclusive interview and tour of her then-new house to PEOPLE and revealed that her mom had even helped with certain aspects of the house.

“I had a really great summer in 2017; I won a title [the Stanford Classic], and then I made the finals of the U.S. Open and I just thought ‘Why not buy a house?’ ” Madison said. “Decorating is my way to relax and be creative.”

When Madison was on the road, she even sent certain items for her house to her mom’s house for safekeeping.

Madison Keys poses with the runners-up trophy during the trophy presentation after the Women’s Singles finals match on Day Thirteen of the 2017 US Open.Elsa/Getty

Elsa/Getty

In an interview with Vavel, Rick was asked how he balances the intense commitment of raising a professional athlete with knowing when and how to let them be more independent. Rick credited having this balance and his parenting style to how he was raised.

Christine is the president of Madison’s charity

with the trophy after winning the women’s singles final Madison Keys during Day Eight of the Rothesay International Eastbourne on July 01, 2023.Charlie Crowhurst/Getty

Charlie Crowhurst/Getty

Madison has worked in the nonprofit space and was an ambassador forFearlesslyGIRL: an organization “dedicated to empowering young women and creating a world where kindness is at the forefront in our homes, schools, communities and businesses.”

“It’s probably one of the [things I’m most proud of] in the last four or five years is how you’ve given a voice and have helped girls understand it’s just not them,” she said. “Your ambassadorship with FearlesslyGIRL is [one of the] top three accomplishments in your life in my opinion.”

In 2020, Madison founded her own nonprofit organization calledKindness Wins, “dedicated to promoting kindness to youth, kindness to self and kindness to others in times of struggles.” The foundation provides access to sports, education and other resources for youth. Two years later, Madison announced on Instagram that she had chosen her mom to be the foundation’s president.

“No one knows me better than my mom. So when I had to hire someone to run my charity @kindnesswinsfoundation, I couldn’t think of a better person. My mom is the President of Kindness Wins, handling all of the fundraising and charitable outreach we do, and she knows exactly what I’m passionate about when it comes to helping others!” Madison wrote onInstagram.

source: people.com