Heading into the 2025 Australian Open final, Aryna Sabalenka was the overwhelming favorite, having dominated the previous two editions and appeared to be in her prime form. But on the day that mattered, it was Madison Keys who emerged victorious, clinching her first Grand Slam title with a thrilling 7-5 win in the deciding set against the Belarusian powerhouse.
On her way to the final, Keys had already proven her mettle, dispatching formidable opponents like Danielle Collins, Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina, and world No. 1 Iga Swiatek. Her performance in Melbourne was a testament to her resilience and determination.
Following the match, tennis legends Jim Courier, Mats Wilander, and Tim Henman shared their insights on Eurosport, reflecting on the final’s dramatic twists and the emotional significance of Keys’ victory.
Courier, a former world No. 1, couldn’t hide his admiration for Keys’ performance, calling her display “irresistible.” He was particularly impressed by her ability to deliver under pressure. “Just think about her last two matches—her win over Swiatek in the final set tiebreak, and this one. There were moments where she stepped up and dominated in a way that has often eluded her in the past,” Courier observed. “But this is a new chapter for her. She was dominant when it mattered, hitting big shots and taking her chances. She believed that this time would be different, and it certainly was. Madison Keys is now, and always will be, a champion.”
Courier admitted the emotional rollercoaster of watching the final, saying, “We were screaming and shouting during her last service game, those forehand winners were just insane. We were living and dying with her. It’s not impartial, but who are we kidding? We’re retired players, not journalists. It was just so much fun to watch the end of this match. Keys won it in the most dramatic and emphatic way possible. And Sabalenka, she played amazing tennis—she has nothing to be ashamed of.”
Keys’ journey to the title had been anything but smooth. After being forced to withdraw from the 2024 Australian Open due to a shoulder injury, Keys faced another setback seven months later at Wimbledon, where a torn hamstring sidelined her for much of the season. But despite these hurdles, she bounced back with incredible resilience.
Mats Wilander, the seven-time Grand Slam champion, shared his admiration for Keys’ perseverance. “It’s incredibly cool to see someone of her age and the journey she’s been through,” he said. “People have always talked about her as the next Serena Williams, but she hasn’t quite achieved that level. But what a performance today. She didn’t win because Sabalenka lost it. In the beginning, Keys was playing out of her mind, then Sabalenka fought back, and ultimately, Keys came through in the end. It’s so heartening to see her succeed. She’s battled a lot of injuries and dealt with the pressure of being the ‘next big thing,’ especially coming from the U.S.”
With this victory, Keys joined an elite group of American women who have triumphed at the sport’s biggest stages, becoming the eighth to win a Grand Slam this century, following in the footsteps of legends like Lindsay Davenport, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, and Coco Gauff.
Tim Henman, former world No. 4 and a six-time Grand Slam semi-finalist, also highlighted Keys’ remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. “When you consider her journey—reaching a Grand Slam final eight years ago, then facing a difficult 18 months with injuries—it’s incredible,” Henman remarked. “But over the past few weeks, she’s found her form. She won in Adelaide and came into Melbourne with an unrelenting determination, winning five three-set matches. She had to beat the world No. 2 and save a match point in the semi-finals before facing Sabalenka in the final. And in that third set, she held serve through the first 11 games without facing a single break point, before breaking to seal the title. It was amazing to watch.”
Madison Keys’ Australian Open victory was more than just a Grand Slam win—it was a culmination of years of perseverance, overcoming setbacks, and embracing the pressure that comes with being one of the game’s most talented players. In the end, it was her moment to shine, and tennis fans everywhere couldn’t help but celebrate her long-awaited breakthrough.