Madison Keys celebrated her maiden Grand Slam victory by defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in a gripping Australian Open final on Saturday. At 29, the American fulfilled a long-standing dream, overcoming the world number one and two-time defending champion to claim the prestigious title.
The victory ended Sabalenka’s bid to become the first woman in 26 years to win three consecutive Melbourne Park singles titles. An emotional Keys, who was once seen as a future world number one, shed tears of joy after the hard-fought win.
Sabalenka, the 2023 and 2024 champion, saw her remarkable 20-match winning streak at Melbourne Park come to an end. Visibly distraught, she buried her face in a towel as the crowd applauded her effort.
For Keys, this triumph was the culmination of a 15-year journey. Having made her Grand Slam debut as a teenage prodigy, she reached her first semi-final in Melbourne a decade ago. Reflecting on her journey, Keys said, “I’ve wanted this for so long. I’ve been in a Grand Slam final before, but it didn’t go my way. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get another chance.”
The win was particularly meaningful for Keys, who endured a challenging 2024 season plagued by injuries. She credited her team and husband-coach Bjorn Fratangelo for their unwavering belief in her. “They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” she said.
Keys, now set to return to a career-high world ranking of seventh, described her win as a dream come true. “I made my first Grand Slam semi-final here in Melbourne, and to now win my first title here means everything to me.”
Sabalenka, gracious in defeat, praised Keys’ performance, saying, “Madison, you’ve worked so hard for this trophy. What a tournament you’ve had. I’ll come back stronger and do my best next year.”
The final showcased Keys’ resilience and determination. Despite Sabalenka’s dominance in the second set, Keys held her ground in the decider. At 5-6, with Sabalenka serving to force a final-set tiebreak, Keys seized the moment. On her second match point, she delivered her 29th winner to secure the title after two hours and two minutes of enthralling tennis.
