Madison Keys, playing her first event since breaking into the Top 10, is aiming higher than ever before.
The 21-year-old, who won her first-round match at Wimbledon against Laura Siegemund in straight sets, knows she is talked about as a player who could be No. 1 in the world.
"Obviously it's confidence boosting [that] people think that about me," she said. “I think I can. I'm obviously out here working for that every day. I don't think it's going to come easy, and I don't think just because people are saying that it's going to happen ... That's why whenever I hear that, I kind of just want to get out on a practice court and keep getting better."
Keys announced herself on the world stage by reaching the semifinals of the 2015 Australian Open, but injuries and increased pressure appeared to affect her the rest of the season. She has also had multiple coaches, and is now working with Thomas Hogstedt.
Having just won her second career title in Birmingham, she says she is now a more experienced player.
"I think in a lot of ways I have changed," she said. "But I also think every 18‑year‑old changes a lot from 18 to 21 to 25. So I think on and off the court, I have changed in a lot of ways. And I think just a big thing is, experience‑wise, it's still only my third full year, fourth full year on tour. Obviously there is plenty of experience that I can still have.
"But just feeling more comfortable and knowing what to expect, and it becoming more of a routine, has really helped me."
Keys is No. 9 in the rankings.