By BBC (Sports) | Created at 2025-01-25 11:38:21 | Updated at 2025-01-31 09:12:53
5 days ago
American underdog Madison Keys finally got her hands on a Grand Slam trophy after holding off defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to win the Australian Open women's singles title.
Keys, playing her second major final and first for over seven years, beat the world number one 6-3 2-6 7-5.
The 29-year-old is the fourth-oldest woman to win her first Grand Slam title.
Keys, seeded 19th in Melbourne, clasped her head in amazement before an emotional hug with husband and coach Bjorn Fratangelo.
"I have wanted this for so long, I never knew if I'd be in this position again," said Keys.
Belarus' Sabalenka, 25, had been attempting to claim a rare third successive victory at the opening major of the season.
An upset Sabalenka covered her head with a towel before storming off to the locker room.
When the world number one returned a few minutes later, she received a warm ovation from the 15,000 fans on Rod Laver Arena.
Patience can be a precious commodity in sport and even Keys thought her chance of winning one of tennis' greatest prizes had slipped by.
The seven-and-a-bit years between her first and second major finals is the longest gap in the Open era on the women's side.
After reaching the French Open and US Open semi-finals in 2018, Keys dropped outside of the world's top 50 after struggling with injuries.
She returned to the top 10 in early 2022 after reaching the Australian Open semi-finals and also reached the last four at the 2023 US Open.
Keys was denied a place in the final of her home Grand Slam by Sabalenka - a crushing defeat in which she regretted playing "too safe".
"I'm glad I've got you back," joked Keys in the trophy ceremony.
After another injury-hit season last year, Keys was unsure if she would "be able to do it all again".
A bold move to change racquet manufacturer in the off season has paid dividends, with Keys keeping her explosive power while playing with a level of confidence she previously lacked.
Not only did she shock Sabalenka, Keys also beat second seed Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals - becoming the first player to beat the top two Australian Open seeds since Serena Williams in 2005.
