Madison Keys cries uncontrollably after winning Australian Open as she equals Serena Williams record that stood for 20 years
Madison Keys is the 2025 Australian Open champion.
The 29-year-old won her first major of the year after overcoming defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 to win the first major of her career.
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Keys cried uncontrollably when reaching the final on Thursday and the tears flowed once more after breaking Aryna Sabalenka late in the deciding set to win the match and title.
The first Grand Slam of her career, it has been a long time coming for Keys with only two players needing more appearances to win their maiden major.
Flavia Pennetta (49) and Marion Bartoli (47) are the two with more as Keys took 46 Grand Slam appearances.
After winning the first set in straight-forward fashion, the American dropped the second set 6-2 to Sabalenka with Keys looking under immense pressure.
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Nevertheless, the World No.14 fought back to win the deciding set 7-5 as she blasted a forehand that would see her become champion in Melbourne.
The 29-year-old has also become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2005 to beat the World No.1 and World No.2 en route to the Australian Open title.
Keys is also the first woman to do at a Grand Slam ever since 2009 when Svetlana Kuznetsova won the 2009 French Open.
Sabalenka could not contain her own frustration at letting history slip between her fingers.
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The 26-year-old was bidding to become the first woman to win three consecutive titles in Melbourne since Martina Higgins between 1997-1999.
The World No.1 smashed her racket after embracing Keys at the net before burying herself in a towel as she let the tears flow.
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After getting over her emotions, a more composed Sabalenka paid homage to Keys crediting for her unbelievable tournament.
"First of all, Madison, wow. What a tournament. You have been fighting really hard to get this trophy, you have been playing unbelievable tennis," Sabalenka said in her runner-up speech.
"Congrats to you and your team, really well deserved. Enjoy the celebration, enjoy the fun part."
Meanwhile Keys who lost in devastating fashion to Sabalenka in 2023 US Open semi-final joked about getting revenge.
"First of all, Aryna. I am glad I finally got you back. Congratulations to you and your team for an incredible run," Keys said in her winner's speech after the match.
"I made my first grand slam semi-final here in Melbourne and I am so happy to have finally won here. This is where I am going to cry. Thank you to my team. I have wanted this for so long.
Throwback to when a heartbroken Madison Keys broke down in tears after devastating defeat to Aryna Sabalenka
"I was in one other grand slam final and it didn’t go my way. They believed in me when I didn’t. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to see you all next year. Thank you so much."
Keys also made some more history, becoming the first player ever in the Open Era to win the Australian Open with only three-setters from the Fourth Round to the final.
Keys will now enjoy her victory long into the Australian night and at 29 she proves its never too late to win big.
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