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Madison Keys got some flack for refusing to shake hands with compatriot Amanda Anisimova after their showdown at the WTA Finals 2025 on Monday, November 3. Serena Williams' ex-coach, Rennae Stubbs, has rushed to her defense and felt she was justified in her actions after knowing her rationale behind it.Speaking on the latest episode of her podcast, The Rennae Stubbs Podcast, Stubbs revealed that Keys has been under the weather for a while. That was the real reason behind her not engaging in a handshake or any physical contact with Anisimova after their match."Word on the street is that Madi Keys is not a 100%. We saw her not handshake Amanda Anisimova yesterday, and word on the street is that she is not well. So she walked to the net was just like, 'Do not hug me, do not touch me, do not shake my hand. I'm going straight to the bag and off this court'," Stubbs said.Stubbs felt that was a nice gesture on Keys' part to look after Anisimova. There was no need for her to go to such lengths, especially as her WTA Finals campaign was over after a second consecutive defeat, and yet she did. "Madi Keys, that was a classy thing for her to do. She doesn't have to care about how Amanda Anisimova does in the next 3-4 days, but I think that was a really classy thing for her to do. You beat me, not happy about it but I don't want to give you what I got," she added.Keys hadn't competed anywhere since her US Open exit due to an injury. She recovered in time for the WTA Finals, although an illness has since taken a toll on her health. She lost to Iga Swiatek in her first group tie, and then suffered another loss at the hands of Anisimova. With a mounting toll on her body, she has now withdrawn from the tournament.Madison Keys replaced by Ekaterina Alexandrova at the WTA Finals 2025Madison Keys at the WTA Finals 2025. (Photo: Getty)After back-to-back losses against Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova, Madison Keys had no shot at advancing out of the group stage of the WTA Finals 2025. Instead of playing a dead rubber against Elena Rybakina, she withdrew the tournament in light of her ongoing health woes.Keys has been replaced by Ekaterina Alexandrova, the second alternate. Mirra Andreeva was the first alternate but chose not to compete. Rybakina has already advanced to the semifinals, and Alexandrova's arrival won't affect either Swiatek or Anisimova's chances of progressing further.Rybakina and Alexandrova recently crossed paths at the Ningbo Open. The Kazakh staged a comeback to win that contest in three sets. Given her form this week, she will be the favorite to win yet again.
