New Delhi: Madison Keys’ fairytale run at the 2025 Australian Open was nothing short of a dream come true. The American’s first Grand Slam title came in a dramatic and record-breaking fashion, etching her name among tennis’ elite.
Just a week after winning in Adelaide, Keys departed Australia boasting a 12-match winning streak—the longest in her career. Her impressive 14-1 record for 2025 is the best in the season so far, surpassing both male and female players. From stunning upsets to remarkable streaks, let’s take a closer look at some of the standout achievements from her Melbourne conquest.
Breaking a five-year American drought
Keys’ road to the title was one of the most challenging in recent memory. She became just the third woman in the Open Era to win five three-setters en route to a Grand Slam title, following Serena Williams (Roland Garros 2015) and Jelena Ostapenko (Roland Garros 2017). Her victims included world-class opponents Elena Rybakina in the fourth round, Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals, world No.2 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, and world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
She became the first American to lift the Australian Open trophy since Sofia Kenin in 2020. She even became the first woman to win a lead-up event the week before a major and then go on to win the major since Barbora Krejcikova back at 2021 Roland Garros.
Conquering the world’s best
Defeating both the world No. 1 and No. 2 in a single Grand Slam is a rare accomplishment to achieve and Keys was able to do the same. She became only the 10th woman since WTA rankings began in 1975 to achieve this feat and the first to do so at the Australian Open since Serena Williams did back in 2005.
Her semifinal victory over Swiatek was one for the ages. In the third set, Keys was facing match point at 5-6, but she showed incredible resilience to turn the match around and went on winning it 5-7, 6-1, 7(10) – 6(8). In doing so, she became just the 14th woman in the Open Era to have saved a match point on their route to a Grand Slam title, joining legends like Serena Williams, Monica Seles, and Naomi Osaka.
The World No.1 had dominated the Australian Open in recent years, winning back-to-back titles and riding a 20-match winning streak in Melbourne but Keys put an end to Aryna Sabalenka’s dominance with a sensational triumph in the final. She also snapped Sabalenka’s 20-match hard-court major winning streak and 18-match unbeaten run in Australia.
Keys’ incredible run saw her secure her 10th career win over a Top 10 player at a major. Her victories over Rybakina (No. 7), Swiatek (No. 2), and Sabalenka (No. 1) in Melbourne solidified her status as one of the most dangerous players on tour.
First 19-seeded woman to win a Grand Slam
Madison Keys made history by becoming the first No. 19-seeded woman to win a Grand Slam title in the Open Era. Currently, among the Top 20 seeds, only No. 16 and No. 18 remain to claim a slam.
Keys’ Australian Open triumph not only earned her a hefty $3.5 million prize cheque but also propelled her past the $20 million mark in career earnings. With Melbourne’s victory, she became just the 26th woman in WTA history to achieve this milestone and only the sixth American to do so joining legends like Serena Williams and Martina Navratilova.
Her victory saw her climb from No. 14 to No. 7 in the WTA rankings, equaling her career-best ranking first achieved in 2016. Her rise from No. 20 to No. 7 in just three weeks showcases her resurgence at the top of the sport.
A shot at the Top 5?
With very few points to defend until late April, Keys has a realistic chance to break into the Top 5—or even higher. If she continues her current level of performance, she could emerge as a strong contender in the year’s other major Grand Slam events: the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.
Madison Keys’ victory at the Australian Open wasn’t just a personal triumph but was a statement. Her blend of power, resilience, and mental toughness proved that she belongs among the sport’s elite. As she continues her journey, all eyes will be on the American to see if this is just the beginning of a new era in women’s tennis.
Madison Keys stuns the world at the Australian Open, defeating world No.1 and No.2 to claim her first Grand Slam. Is this the start of a new era in women’s tennis? Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
