MADISON KEYS FINALLY REACHES THE TOP

Madison Keys is a Grand Slam champion at last. On Saturday, the 29-year-old American defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a nail-biting Australian Open final, winning 6–3, 2–6, 7–5.
It was a career-defining moment for Keys, who had come so close so many times before.
The match was a rollercoaster. In the first set, Keys was unstoppable—her serves were precise, her groundstrokes ferocious, and her confidence unshakable. But Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, wasn’t going down without a fight. She stormed back in the second set, showing exactly why she’s been the most dominant player on hard courts in recent years.
The final set had fans on the edge of their seats. At 5–5, it looked like the match was heading for a tiebreak. But Keys dug deep, found another gear, and broke Sabalenka’s serve with a stunning forehand winner. Moments later, she raised her arms in victory, tears in her eyes as she ran to embrace her team and husband, Bjorn Fratangelo.
“I’ve wanted this for so long,” Keys said, her voice trembling during the trophy ceremony. “I’ve been in a Grand Slam final before, and it didn’t go my way. I didn’t know if I’d ever get back to this position, let alone win. Last year was so tough—I had some really bad injuries, and I didn’t know if I’d even play at this level again. To stand here now, holding this trophy, is something I’ll never forget.”
Keys’ road to the title wasn’t easy. She defeated world No. 2 Iga Świątek, Elena Rybakina, and Danielle Collins to reach the final, becoming the first woman since Serena Williams in 2005 to take down the top two seeds at the Australian Open. Her victory over Sabalenka was the ultimate test, and she passed with flying colors.
It’s been a long journey for Keys, who was once labeled a prodigy but had struggled to live up to the hype. But on this night in Melbourne, everything came together. She’s no longer the player who “almost made it.” She’s a Grand Slam champion, and no one can take that away from her.