Coco Gauff and Sloane Stephens react as Madison Keys beats Aryna Sabalenka to win the Australian Open title

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Madison Keys has beaten Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final to win her first Grand Slam title.

Keys was ready for Sabalenka’s game plan, and broke the world number one with a forehand winner to seal her victory.

Sabalenka was criticized for her behaviour after the match, with the Belarusian smashing her racket in frustration.

This follows up from Keys’ win over Iga Swiatek, where the American had to save a match point to even reach the final.

It has been a very strong start to the 2025 season for the 29-year-old, with Keys also winning a title in Adelaide.

Coco Gauff and Sloane Stephens react to Madison Keys winning the Australian Open

There was a strong reaction to Keys reaching her second major final, with Coco Gauff one of those celebrating her compatriots success.

Gauff has since reacted to Keys winning the Australian Open title on X (formerly known a Twitter) saying, “So deserved (teary smiley face). Go Madiii!!!”

The only other time that Keys had reached a major final was at the 2017 US Open, losing in straight sets to Sloane Stephens.

However, it appears that is long in the memory of both players as Stephens reacted to Keys joining her as Grand Slam champion.

“It was never if, just when. You deserve this and beyond,” Stephens said on X.

The tributes have come flooding in for the seemingly popular Keys, with Caroline Garcia and Patrick McEnroe also praising the new Australian Open champion.

“Congrats Madison,” said Garcia. “What an amazing performance. So deserved.”

“Madison Keys. MADISON KEYS major champion,” said McEnroe.

Former world number four and Miami Open tournament director James Blake also wanted to congratulate Keys.

“Wow. Congratulations to @Madison_Keys for being such a great champion in life and now a grand slam champion. Incredible performance,” Blake said on X.

American women to win the Australian Open title since 2000

The Australian Open women’s singles tournament was dominated by American women between 2000 and 2010, with Lindsay Davenport, Jennifer Capriati and Serena Williams winning eight titles in those 11 years.

Many of these finals were all-American, with Williams beating Davenport in the 2005 final.

Williams in particular dominated this tournament, winning seven of her 23 Grand Slam titles in Melbourne.

This included winning her final major title at the 2017 tournament, where Williams was in the early stages of pregnancy to her first child.

More recently Australian Open titles have been harder to come by for American women, with Sofia Kenin winning the title in 2020.

Now Keys has brought the title back to the USA after preventing Sabalenka from winning a third consecutive Australian Open title.