American tennis star, Madison Keys won her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Saturday, defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in a thrilling three-set match, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, at Melbourne Park.
Keys, ranked 14th and seeded 19th, overcame the odds to claim her first major title. The 29-year-old celebrated her long-awaited triumph by embracing her husband and coach, Bjorn Fratangelo, who has been instrumental in her career since taking on the coaching role in 2023.
“It’s something I’ve wanted for so long,” Keys said emotionally. “I didn’t know if I’d ever get back to this stage after my first final, and this means everything.”
Sabalenka, who was aiming for her third consecutive Australian Open title and her fourth Grand Slam overall, expressed her disappointment.
Keys’ victory marks her first Grand Slam title, making her the oldest first-time major winner since Flavia Pennetta’s 2015 US Open triumph at age 33. This win also redeems her 2017 US Open final loss to Sloane Stephens.
The Australian Open men’s final will feature defending champion Jannik Sinner against Alexander Zverev.
Sinner advanced after defeating American Ben Shelton, while Zverev moved forward when Novak Djokovic withdrew due to injury.
