American tennis player Madison Keys stunned defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to win her first Grand Slam title at the 2025 Australian Open. After a thrilling three-set battle, Keys triumphed 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, securing her first major title after a seven-year wait since her previous Grand Slam final appearance.
At 29 years old, Keys joined a select group of women who have won their first Grand Slam titles later in their careers. The 19th seed was overcome with emotion as she celebrated her victory, sharing a heartfelt moment with her husband and coach Bjorn Fratangelo.
“I’ve wanted this for so long. I never knew if I’d be in this position again,” Keys said after the win, reflecting on her long journey back to the top.
Sabalenka, who had been aiming for a rare third consecutive Australian Open victory, was gracious in defeat, offering a warm hug to Keys before expressing frustration at her own performance. The world number one smashed her racquet in frustration, but later returned to the court to a warm reception from the 15,000-strong crowd at Rod Laver Arena.
“I couldn’t do anything,” Sabalenka admitted. “Next time I play Madison, I will bring better tennis.”
The win marks the pinnacle of Keys’ remarkable career resurgence. After a series of injury setbacks, Keys had slipped outside the top 50, but her perseverance and decision to change racquet manufacturers in the off-season have paid off. Keys’ run to the final included notable victories over top players, including second seed Iga Swiatek, former Melbourne finalists Danielle Collins and Elena Rybakina, and 2023 Wimbledon semi-finalist Elina Svitolina.
Keys’ victory was particularly impressive considering her opponent’s dominant form. Sabalenka, with 33 wins from her previous 34 matches on Australian hard courts, was the pre-match favorite. However, Keys’ explosive baseline game and sharp serving proved to be a formidable challenge.
The final started with an impressive performance from Keys, who hit 11 winners in the opening set and took advantage of Sabalenka’s early mistakes, including a series of double faults. Sabalenka’s frustration began to show, and Keys capitalized on this to secure the first set with a stunning backhand winner.
Sabalenka regrouped in the second set, finding her rhythm to dominate the game and force a decider. However, the decisive third set came down to a tense final game. Keys, with her deep returning and aggressive play, eventually sealed the victory with a superb cross-court forehand winner.
“She played incredible,” said Sabalenka. “I was trying my best. Obviously, it didn’t work well.”
Keys’ Australian Open win represents a career-defining moment for the American, who had previously reached the semifinals at the 2023 US Open and the 2022 Australian Open. Under the guidance of her husband and coach Bjorn Fratangelo, who was a former top-100 ATP player, Keys has returned to the elite level of women’s tennis.
This remarkable victory serves as a reminder of the importance of resilience, hard work, and belief in oneself. For Keys, it is the culmination of years of perseverance, and for tennis fans, it is the beginning of an exciting new chapter in her career.
