Madison Keys made history at the Australian Open, clinching her first-ever Grand Slam title in an unforgettable final. In a thrilling, back-and-forth match, Keys demonstrated incredible resilience and powerful tennis to overcome a fierce opponent, securing her place among the sport’s elite.
The 19th-seeded American triumphed over Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 to claim her first Grand Slam title, eight years after her debut in a Major final.
No player has ever experienced such a lengthy gap between their first and second Grand Slam final appearances. Australian Open 2025 women’s champion Madison Keys shared how therapy helped her conquer self-doubt and achieve her first Grand Slam victory. Keys defeated Aryna Sabalenka to claim the title on Saturday, January 25,2025.
Quick Take
- Keys triumphed over Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.
- She opened up about doubting her Grand Slam dreams.
- Keys vows to stick with therapy for life.
Madison Keys’ Long Road to Glory: Triumph After 46 Attempts
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Eight years ago, Madison Keys reached the US Open final, dreaming of her first Grand Slam title. However, her hopes were dashed by fellow American Sloane Stephens. Since then, Keys has consistently been a contender, reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals and French Open semifinals in 2018, the Australian Open semifinals in 2022, and the US Open semifinals in 2023. In the nearly eight years since, as Keys’ ranking fluctuated and she struggled to replicate her previous form, doubts arose about whether she had been a fluke—a promising American whose early success was more hype than substance, who squandered her big chance and, even at her peak, couldn’t elevate her game enough to reach another final.
Her path to this long-awaited triumph was anything but easy, making her one of the most persistent players in pursuit of a first major title. Keys achieved this milestone after 46 Grand Slam main draw appearances—fewer only than Marion Bartoli (47), Goran Ivanisevic (48), and Flavia Pennetta (49). Madison Keys, making her first Grand Slam final appearance since 2017, rose to the occasion at the Australian Open despite facing world No. 1 and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.
The 19th seeded American defeated Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 to win her maiden Grand Slam title in her second final after eight years.
No player has ever had as long a gap between their first and second Major final.
Madison Keys’ Emotional Triumph: From Doubt to World No. 7
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The final itself was an epic contest. Keys faced off against a formidable adversary who brought their A-game, but Madison’s relentless energy and tactical brilliance won the day. The match was filled with emotional moments, particularly when Keys faced a late comeback from her opponent in the third set. However, Madison kept her focus, delivering clutch shots when it mattered most.
Her emotional reaction to the victory, captured by ESPN’s broadcast, highlighted the magnitude of her achievement.ESPN’s broadcast caught Keys’s reaction to her incredible win, as she was overcome with emotions.
Madison Keys walks over to her husband & coach Bjorn Fratangelo after winning her first Grand Slam at the Australian Open. They hug each other in awe of what they’ve done this week. They just got married in November. So much love between these two
Keys shared in an emotional post-match interview
“I’ve wanted this for so long,Okay, bear with me. I’m absolutely going to cry,” Keys said, with a first Major trophy in hand at the age of 29. “
Moreover, she said,
“I’ve been in one other Slam final. I didn’t know if I’d be able to get back here. My team believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”
Madison Keys became the fifth American woman to claim the women’s singles title at Melbourne Park. At 28, she is the fourth-oldest first-time Major winner in Open Era history. Additionally, she is the first player since 2009 to defeat both of the top two players in the same Grand Slam tournament. Along with claiming her first Grand Slam title, Keys will rise to a career-high world No. 7 in the upcoming WTA rankings.
Keys’ success in the Australian Open will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of tennis players and solidify her place in the sport’s history books. As she celebrates this long-awaited triumph, the tennis world is eager to see what she will achieve next.
She walks away with the trophy after a phenomenal tournament that has re-written her tennis story, possibly bringing it back to its original, triumphant conclusion.
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