Madison Keys’ Grand Slam window wasn’t just closing. It had been slammed shut. She has always been an excellent player, but it felt like women’s tennis had passed her by. Far from her peak in 2017, when she was ranked No.

Madison Keys says she kept telling herself to be brave down the stretch of a tight third set in the Australian Open final against two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

Having already authored one surprising upset after another in the 2025 Australian Open, 19th-seeded American Madison Keys had one final stunning match left in her, taking down world No. 1 and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 to win her first major title.