Professional tennis players have begun sharing their monthly recaps on social media as the year draws to a close. Madison Keys posted a collection of December moments from Florida this week, documenting her time away from competition with photos and videos.
Among the images she shared was a training session that caught the attention of fellow American Ben Shelton, who responded with a comment that drew a quick reaction from another notable tennis player on the tour.
Madison Keys Shares ‘December Dump’ Including Training Session With Ben Shelton in Florida
Keys uploaded a series of moments from the last month of 2025 to her Instagram account, captioning the post ‘December dump’ as a casual year-end recap.
The collection featured various snapshots from her month in Florida, including moments from her podcast, training sessions, meals she enjoyed, and work with Jenna Worswick, a strength and conditioning coach for the USTA.
Among the multiple images Keys shared, one particular photo stood out and generated immediate attention from the tennis community.
The standout image featured Keys alongside American left-hander Shelton during what appeared to be an intensive practice session on the court in Florida.
Both players looked visibly exhausted after their workout, leaning on their tennis rackets for support as they stood on the court.
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Shelton wasted little time responding to the post, leaving a comment that read simply, “hardest practice of my life,” a lighthearted admission about the intensity of their training session together.
The exchange did not go unnoticed by other tennis professionals. Jennifer Brady, another American player, saw Shelton’s comment and replied to his message with her own perspective on training demands.
Brady wrote, “gotta get my tension right,” offering her own relatable comment about the challenges of preparation.
Keys responded to Shelton’s comment, writing, “absolutely cooked,” creating a brief but entertaining conversation that offered fans a glimpse into one of the many extensive practice sessions.
Keys and Shelton Ready To Enter 2026 Season in Australia
With the holiday break concluding, both Keys and Shelton are preparing to begin their 2026 campaigns at different venues across the Australian swing before the year’s first Grand Slam.
Keys will start her season at the Brisbane International, running from January 4 to 11, while Ben Shelton heads to Auckland for the ASB Classic men’s event, which takes place from January 12 to 17. These warm-up tournaments serve as crucial preparation for the Australian Open, which begins on January 18.
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For Keys, the pressure and expectations surrounding her return to Melbourne are considerable. The 29-year-old captured her first Grand Slam title in 2025, defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in a remarkable final.
Right before lifting the trophy in Melbourne, Keys captured the Adelaide International title as well, defeating compatriot Jessica Pegula in a three-set thriller. Heading into the 2026 Australian Swing, Keys will be defending a total of 2,554 ranking points, with 54 from the quarterfinal finish in Auckland, 500 from winning in Adelaide, and 2000 from the major in Melbourne.
Shelton arrives in Australia on the heels of a career-best season that elevated him to World No. 5 in November, his highest ranking ever. The 23-year-old left-hander captured his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Toronto in 2025 and made his debut at the ATP Finals, finishing the year with a 40-24 record.
Shelton previously reached the Australian Open semifinals last January and will be defending 800 points in the tournament, bringing that experience into the 2026 tournament with aspirations of making an even deeper run.
