Madison Keys says her injured adductor won’t prevent her from giving her best in her break-out Australian Open semi-final on Thursday.
Keys accounted for one of her tennis idols Venus Williams 6-3 4-6 6-4 in the quarter-finals and now must play the other, Serena Williams, on Thursday for a spot in the championship decider.
But her tournament was in jeopardy in the second set, grabbing her left leg and wincing after points before calling a medical time-out.
Keys revealed it was the same adductor injury that forced her withdrawal at Wimbledon last year, bringing flash-backs to the All-England Club.
“It was kind of an overwhelming moment,” she said.
“It was kind of scary.
“Luckily the painkillers and adrenaline in the end kind of helped me get through it.”
What makes this recurrence different, according to Keys, is the early self-diagnosis.
“I ignored it at Wimbledon and tore it, which ultimately made me have to withdraw,” she said.
“Luckily I was able to catch it (today) before I did any real damage to it.
“It still hurts. (I’m) definitely going to be getting some treatment.
“I’m hoping I can get it as good as possible for tomorrow.”
The groin will certainly be tested in the most gruelling of semi-final prospects against the world No.1.
Keys said she would grin and bear it.
“It’s probably going to hurt,” she said.
“But I’m just going to do my absolute best and enjoy the moment.”
Keys is the third American teenager to announce themselves on the tennis landscape with a place in the Australian Open’s semi-finals.
Last year, it was Eugenie Bouchard.
In 2013, Sloane Stephens made the last four at Melbourne Park and Keys said she was proud to join them.
“When you see some of your fellow peers doing well, going deep in tournaments, it’s inspirational,” she said.
“It makes you kind of believe that you can do the same.”