**MELBOURNE, Australia** — Madison Keys confidently walked into Rod Laver Arena at 7:37 p.m. on Saturday, just before the Australian Open final, purposefully bypassing the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, which is awarded to the women’s champion and displayed prominently at the court’s entrance.
She maintained her pace, not pausing to admire the trophy. It was later positioned near the net for the pre-match coin toss, so close that she could almost touch it. Standing opposite her was top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time reigning champion at Melbourne Park, who was poised to challenge Keys on the chilly, breezy evening.
After 2 ½ hours of intense competition that concluded with Keys securing a 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 win over Sabalenka, she stood beaming with joy, clutching that shining trophy as a Grand Slam champion for the first time at the age of 29. Recognized as a future talent before entering her teenage years, this final marked her second opportunity at claiming a major title, the first being a disappointing defeat at the 2017 U.S. Open. This loss taught her the importance of overcoming nerves.
It wasn’t until she accepted the possibility of never winning a Slam title — a change catalyzed by years of therapy — that Keys ultimately achieved this milestone.
“From a young age, I felt this immense pressure thinking that if I didn’t capture a Grand Slam, I would have failed to meet expectations,” Keys reflected, noting how this burden was difficult to bear. She had reached her first major semifinal in Australia a decade ago.
“Eventually, I reached a point where I was genuinely proud of my career, regardless of whether I had a Grand Slam or not. I realized I didn’t need a title to validate my accomplishments or my status as a great player,” she added. “Letting go of that internal narrative allowed me the freedom to play my best tennis and ultimately achieve my dream of winning a Grand Slam.”
Keys, originally from Illinois and now residing in Florida, became the oldest woman to claim her first Grand Slam title since Flavia Pennetta, who was 33 during her 2015 U.S. Open win. This victory was particularly notable as it marked Keys’ 46th appearance in a Grand Slam event, placing her third on the list of most attempts before claiming a major title, only behind Pennetta’s 49 and Marion Bartoli’s 47 when she won Wimbledon in 2013.
Keys faced a tough road to her victory. Prior to confronting Sabalenka in the final, she had to overcome No. 2 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, where she saved a match point during the contest. Last to achieve such a feat at Melbourne Park was Serena Williams in 2005, who also defeated the top two players in the WTA.
“Winning against Iga was a significant hurdle for me. I always had confidence in myself, but after that match, I firmly believed I could win on Saturday,” Keys stated.
To secure her place in history, Keys, who was ranked 14th and seeded 19th at the tournament, needed to thwart Sabalenka from clinching her third consecutive Australian Open title — a feat last accomplished by Martina Hingis from 1997 to 1999 — and her fourth major championship overall.
When the match concluded, Keys covered her face in disbelief before raising her arms in triumph. She shortly embraced her husband, Bjorn Fratangelo, who has been coaching her since 2023, along with her team, before taking a moment to relax on the sideline bench, laughter escaping her lips.
On the other hand, Sabalenka, visibly upset, threw her racket, hid her face with a white towel, and retreated to the locker room momentarily before rejoining for the post-match presentation.
“I simply needed that moment to myself to reset and be respectful,” Sabalenka explained later on.
Keys began strongly, breaking Sabalenka three times in the first set while taking advantage of her opponent’s four double-faults and 13 total unforced errors. However, this match was attributed to more than just Sabalenka’s missteps.
Keys’ precision and control were apparent; every shot seemed to find its mark as she employed a new racket this season, recommended by Fratangelo, to protect her often-injured right shoulder and enhance her control over her powerful shots.
Furthermore, Keys showcased exceptional court coverage, racing to return balls with intent, despite having her left thigh taped for support.
Sabalenka, known for her expressive demeanor, kicked a ball in frustration after a netted volley and dropped her racket following a missed overhead shot. She briefly exited the court before the second set, a move that might have helped refocus her or shifted momentum.
The dynamics of the match shifted when Keys’ first-serve percentage plummeted from 86% in the first set to just 59% in the second. In contrast, Sabalenka’s winner count jumped from four in the first set to 13 in the second, as she began to construct and convert break points.
Following a crucial backhand that forced an error from Keys and secured a break for a 2-1 lead in the second set, Sabalenka showed visible emotion, pumping her fist in excitement. The final set proved to be closely contested and tense, with no break points until the very last game, where Keys delivered a decisive forehand winner.
In a remarkably close match, Keys edged out with just one more point than Sabalenka, finishing 92-91, with both players recording 29 winners.
Keys had long awaited this moment, and it finally arrived. “I didn’t always have faith that I could come back to this level, but to achieve this victory means everything to me,” she said, sipping Champagne at her post-match news conference.
