Madison Keys clinched her maiden grand slam title this morning, and denied Aryna Sabalenka a three-peat at the Australian Open.
The American prevailed 6-3 2-6 7-5 in a shade over two hours to see off a visibly upset Sabalenka.
Keys edged a nervy first set before Sabalenka’s variety, not something she is renown for, saw her level matters – the Belarusian’s clever use of the mid-court slice and occasional drop shot baffling her opponent.
But the 29-year-old regained her mojo in the decider.
Both players held until Sabalenka served to stay in the match at 5-6. Keys, sensing her moment, upped her game with a series of brilliant returns, and clinched the match at the second attempt with a searing inside-out winner.
The Keys to victory!@Madison_keys caps an incredible fortnight with a breakthrough Grand Slam title!
She beats Collins, Rybakina, Svitolina, Swiatek and Sabalenka to claim the crown.@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/p2RdID6JQc
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2025
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Keys’ persistence pays off
“I’ve wanted this for so long, I never knew if I’d be in this position again,” said Keys, whose only other major final appearance came at the 2017 US Open.
“I made my very first grand slam semi-final here in Melbourne, so to now have won my first grand slam in the same place means the absolute world to me.
“I cannot wait for more.”
Keys has struggled with injuries at regular intervals over recent seasons and made the bold call to switch to Yonex rackets in the offseason.
“I have been in one other grand slam final and it did not go my way and I didn’t didn’t know if I was ever going to be able to get back to this position to try to win a trophy again and my team believed in me every step of the way,” said Keys, paying tribute to husband and coach Bjorn Fratangelo.
“They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”
Proof that good things happen to good people.
Your night, your time, your trophy, @Madison_keys.#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/8CHg0n1ivs
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2025
Sabalenka’s Melbourne run ends in frustration
Keys’ joy was in stark contrast to Sabalenka’s disappointment.
Having stormed off the court after the match to regain her composure, she returned to a warm ovation before paying tribute to the winner.
“You’ve been fighting really hard to get this trophy, you played unbelievable tennis, you crushed this tonight,” she said. “Really well deserved.
“I’ll come back stronger and I’ll do my best next year. Next time I play against Madison, I[‘ll] bring [my] better tennis.”
