Madison Keys arrived at the Australian Open 2025 without much fanfare, focusing only on testing her limits as she approached her 30th birthday. However, by the end of the tournament, she had rewritten her story—defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping three-set final to claim her maiden Grand Slam title. It was a long-awaited triumph, coming eight years after her first Grand Slam final appearance at the US Open, where she had suffered a disappointing defeat to Sloane Stephens.
The painful 6-3, 6-0 loss in New York had lingered in her mind, but Keys used it as a lesson. Reflecting on that experience, she admitted, “Back then, I was overwhelmed by nerves, the magnitude of the moment, and the sheer opportunity in front of me. I never allowed myself to truly play.”
This time, she was prepared for the pressure, acknowledging that nerves and stress are part of the game, especially when playing in front of thousands of spectators.
Ranked 14th before the tournament, Keys will now break back into the WTA Top 10 for the first time since 2019. The victory at Melbourne Park is particularly special for her, as it marks a full-circle moment—her first breakthrough at the Australian Open came in 2015 when she reached the semi-finals as a 19-year-old rising star.
Overcoming the Odds
To secure the title, Keys had to battle through a tough draw. She defeated world number two Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals before setting up a title clash with world number one Sabalenka. The Belarusian was aiming to become the first woman since Martina Hingis (1997-1999) to win three consecutive Australian Open titles. However, Keys, the underdog and 19th seed, defied expectations to secure a hard-fought 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 victory.
A New Chapter with Fratangelo
Keys made significant personal and professional changes in the past year. She ended her 2024 season early in October and tied the knot with her longtime partner, Bjorn Fratangelo, a month later. The two had been dating since 2017, and in 2023, Fratangelo transitioned from being just a supportive figure to becoming her full-time coach.
Speaking about Keys’s growth as a player, Fratangelo expressed his belief that she was still unlocking her full potential. “She hasn’t reached her peak yet. Sharpening existing skills can only take you so far; sometimes, you need new strategies. That’s what I’ve tried to bring into her game,” he explained.
Both Keys and Sabalenka possess aggressive, power-driven playing styles that can dismantle opponents. After her semi-final loss, Swiatek praised Keys’s fearless approach, noting her willingness to take risks in critical moments. Fratangelo echoed this sentiment, describing Sabalenka as a “more polished version of Madison,” but emphasizing that Keys had developed the ability to elevate her level at crucial points—an essential trait among the sport’s greatest players.
The Road to Glory
Keys’s journey to the Australian Open title was anything but easy. She had to overcome former Melbourne finalists Danielle Collins and Elena Rybakina before facing Swiatek in the semi-finals. Against the Polish star, Keys demonstrated incredible resilience, coming from a set down and even saving a match point before completing the comeback victory.
Her final against Sabalenka was no different—a rollercoaster battle filled with momentum shifts, but Keys held her nerve when it mattered most. The triumph not only earned her the 10th WTA title of her career but also served as the perfect early birthday present as she approaches 30.
With this long-awaited Grand Slam title, Keys has firmly established herself among the elite in women’s tennis. And with newfound confidence, experience, and a supportive team around her, this victory may just be the beginning of an even greater chapter in her career.