Madison Keys emerged victorious in the Australian Open women’s final after an electrifying three-set battle, defeating Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5. The 19th seed defied expectations, clinching her first Grand Slam title in a match that lasted two hours and two minutes on the iconic Rod Laver Arena.
Sabalenka, who had been chasing her third consecutive Australian Open title, aimed to join tennis legends such as Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, and Martina Hingis in achieving this rare feat. However, Keys ended her streak with a display of resilience and precision.
What did Madison Keys say about her victory?
In her emotional victory speech, Keys praised her opponent and reflected on her journey:
“Firstly, Aryna, unbelievable playing, I am glad I finally got you back. I have wanted this for so long. I have been in one other Grand Slam final, but it did not go my way, and I didn’t know if I was ever going to get back to this position to try to win a trophy again. My team believed in me every step of the way, so thank you so much.”
This triumph was a redemption for Keys, who lost her first Grand Slam final at the U.S. Open in 2017 to fellow American Sloane Stephens. Her perseverance paid off, earning her the champion’s prize of $2.2 million, while Sabalenka took home $1.2 million.
