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Andy Roddick shares what you never hear about Madison Keys from other players on the WTA Tour after winning her first Grand Slam title

Madison Keys serving with an inset of Andy Roddick
Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund
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Madison Keys became a Grand Slam champion for the first time after beating Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final.

Keys stunned Sabalenka in the Australian Open final, ending the world number one’s 20-match winning streak in Melbourne.

The American came off the back of winning the Adelaide title, where Keys beat Jessica Pegula in the final.

After getting the decisive break in the final game of the Australian Open final, Keys saw Sabalenka smash her racket in frustration.

However, after the dust had settled Sabalenka appeared to have more perspective on the match and her past three years of success at the Australian Open.

2025 Australian Open Women's Champion Media Opportunity
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images

Andy Roddick shares what you never hear about Madison Keys

Keys lost her first major final to Sloane Stephens at the 2017 US Open, finally overcoming that hurdle over seven years later.

This has prompted a huge reaction across social media, with even Serena Williams reacting to Keys’ victory.

With Keys receiving such an outpouring of positive messages after her Australian Open win, Andy Roddick has spoken about how popular a player she is.

When speaking on his ‘Served with Andy Roddick’ podcast, the former world number one suggested that Keys needs to back herself more after becoming a Grand Slam champion.

“I don’t know Maddie well, I just know reputationally when you’ve been around the tour for 10 years plus and you don’t hear any negativity, that means they operate in a certain way all the time just so affable,” explained Roddick.

“She’s going to have to work on… she kind of rips on herself a lot like in like a funny way that is pretty self-deprecating and she’s going to have to learn how to do that a little differently, because she’s a Grand Slam champion now, beating the two best players of the post Serena generation back-to-back.”

Average ranking of Madison Keys’ opponents in her run to the Australian Open title

Keys made history at the Australian Open, and many have pointed out just how impressive her run to the title has been.

This included back-to-back wins over both the top two WTA ranked players, with Keys saving a match point against Swiatek in the semi-finals.

RoundOpponentRanking of Opponent
First RoundAnn Li84
Second RoundElena Gabriela Ruse125
Third RoundDanielle Collins11
Fourth RoundElena Rybakina7
Quarter-finalElina Svitolina27
Semi-finalIga Swiatek2
FinalAryna Sabalenka1

This is something that Roddick touched on, admitting that he felt emotional after Keys beat Sabalenka.

“And by the way, can we talk about her draw,” continued Roddick. Danielle Collins, to beat Rybakina, to beat Svitolina, to beat Swiatek, to beat Sabalenka the two-time defending champion in Australia, nothing given everything earned.

“And I think the reason why it’s caused such a tidal wave of positive emotion for her to where I was emotional when she won and I like Aryna Sabalenka.”