Madison Keys stuns Aryna Sabalenka at Australian Open final for first Grand Slam

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American tennis star Madison Keys caps a career resurgence in spectacular fashion after dethroning favored Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka at the 2025 Australian Open women's singles final

Madison Keys ripped up the script with an inspired performance to dethrone Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open and claim her maiden Grand Slam title on Saturday, January 25, over seven years after losing in her first major final.

Keys’ 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 win ended Belarusian Sabalenka’s bid to become the first woman to capture three straight Melbourne Park titles since Swiss Martina Hingis from 1997-99 and ended her 20-match winning streak at the tournament.

Victory also made the 29-year-old the fourth-oldest first-time Grand Slam champion in the professional era, behind Flavia Pennetta, Ann Jones and Francesca Schiavone.

“Okay bear with me I’m absolutely going to cry,” Keys said as she cradled the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup.

“There’s no way I get through this in tears … Congrats Aryna, unbelievable playing, I’m glad I finally got you back. I always feel so at home here. I made my very first Grand Slam semi-final in Melbourne, to now have won my first final in the same place means the absolute world to me.”

Belarusian Sabalenka made a couple of double faults to drop serve in the opening game and looked slightly off colour in the early exchanges as Keys heaped pressure on the top seed with a dipping crosscourt winner en route to a double break.

The 19th seed rode her luck after a net cord winner and went ahead 5-1 in 20 minutes, before conceding a break with a wayward backhand, but Sabalenka gifted her opponent a set point with her fourth double fault.

Keys, who was hitting much harder than her opponent on both flanks, blasted her 11th winner with a backhand down the line to clinch the opening set but Sabalenka began to mix up her game in the next set and sliced her way through to level the match.

Both players relied on their powerful serves and shot-making to remain level until 5-5 in the decider but there was one final momentum shift as Keys produced blistering winners to claim the next two games and the biggest triumph of her career.

TEARS SHED

She was overcome by emotion and shed tears with her team included husband and coach Bjorn Fratangelo in the stands, while Sabalenka smashed her racket and covered her face with a towel before sobbing.

Keys is the first player to claim the trophy by defeating the world No. 1 and No. 2 at a major since Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova at the 2009 French Open and the first at Melbourne Park since compatriot Serena Williams 20 years ago.

The American, tipped to become a world No. 1 after she reached the Australian Open semi-finals aged 19, lost to compatriot Sloane Stephens in the 2017 US Open final and has struggled to translate deep runs at majors into titles.

Three years ago she spoke about the “dark pit of despair” she found herself in when her career stalled due to the pressure of trying to stay at the top level of the sport.

“I have wanted this for so long I have been in one other Grand Slam final and it didn’t go my way,” said Keys, who will climb to No. 7 in the world.

“I didn’t know if I was going to get to this position every again. But my team believed in me so much… they believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”

Sabalenka’s smile returned later but she was left to digest a rare defeat in the Grand Slam that has defined her career.

“Madison, wow, what a tournament,” said Sabalenka.

“You’ve been fighting really hard to get this trophy… Congrats to you and your team really well deserved. Enjoy the celebration, enjoy the fun part.”

Showing the charisma that has endeared her to fans around the world, Sabalenka jokingly blamed the loss on her team in the stands.

“I don’t want to see you for the next week, I really hate you,” she added to laughter from the crowd. “No really, thank you very much for all you’re doing for me, blah blah blah.”

Keys became the second oldest woman to capture her first Australian Open singles title since 1968 after China’s Li Na, who was 31 when she claimed the title at Melbourne Park 11 years ago. – Rappler.com