Keys Wins First Grand Slam After a Three Set Thriller Against Sabalenka

Madison Keys stunned top seed and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to claim her first Grand Slam title, winning the Australian Open Women’s Singles final 6-3, 6-2, 7-5.

This marked the culmination of an outstanding two weeks in Melbourne, where she triumphed over four top-ten players, including Iga Swiatek (2) in the semifinals, Elena Rybakina (6) in the fourth round, and Danielle Collins (10) in the third round.

Keys came close to winning her first Grand Slam at the 2017 US Open, where she faced her friend Sloane Stephens in the final. She was defeated in straight sets, winning only three games, and later admitted that nerves had gotten the best of her, preventing her from playing her best and seizing the opportunity to win.

This week, Keys told reporters she had learned from her 2017 experience and was determined to take her chances, win or lose, so she wouldn’t have any regrets. That’s exactly the approach she took in the final.

Keys played with confidence in the first set, using her powerful serve and taking advantage of Sabalenka’s struggles with her own. The defending champion hit two double faults in the opening game and another in the fifth. A fourth double fault handed Keys a set point, which she seized with a backhand winner.

Sabalenka took a break off-court after the first set, which appeared to help her reset. In the second set, Keys’ level dropped, allowing Sabalenka to take control and dominate the set, eventually winning it.

The deciding set was a tense battle, with both players holding serve until the 12th game. That’s when Keys lifted her game, delivering deep returns that Sabalenka couldn’t handle. A perfectly timed cross-court forehand winner on match point secured the victory and gave Keys the title.

She celebrated by clasping her head in amazement before sharing an emotional hug with her husband and coach, Bjorn Fratangelo.

During the trophy ceremony, Keys said, “I have wanted this for so long. I never knew if I’d be in this position again.”

The victory was particularly impressive for Keys, who battled injuries last season, causing her to miss the Australian Open and retire from her Wimbledon round-of-16 match against Jasmine Paolini.

A bold decision to switch from her Wilson racquet to a Yonex and overhaul her service motion during the off-season has paid off. Keys has maintained her explosive power while playing with a newfound level of confidence she previously lacked.

“She played incredible…. I was trying my best. Obviously, it didn’t work well,” said Sabalenka after her defeat.

Sloane Stephens was one of the first to congratulate Keys, posting on her X profile, “It was never if, just when. You deserve this and beyond.”

In her post-match press conference, Keys shared that therapy had helped her shift her perspective, easing the pressure of needing to win a Grand Slam and making peace with the idea of being okay even if she never won one.

“I finally got to the point where I was proud of myself and proud of my career, with or without a Grand Slam. I was okay if it didn’t happen. I didn’t need it to feel like I had a good career, or I deserved to be talked about as a great tennis player. I feel like letting go of that internal talk that I had gave me the ability to go out and play some really good tennis to actually win a grand slam.”

 “I honestly think had I not done that (therapy), then I wouldn’t be sitting here.”

With the win, Keys earned 2,000 ranking points, rising to No. 7 in the WTA rankings, a position she first reached in 2016. She also took home A$ 3,500,000 (approximately US$ 2,211,000) in prize money.