Madison Keys made her major breakthrough after winning the Australian Open at 29-years-old.
Keys overcame Sabalenka in three sets to win her first Grand Slam title, over seven years after reaching her first major final at the 2017 US Open.
The American’s maiden Grand Slam victory has received a huge reaction, including Serena Williams congratulating Keys.
Novak Djokovic also messaged Keys after she ended the 20-match winning streak of Sabalenka in Melbourne.
Jack Sock says Australian Open win could ‘catapult’ Madison Keys
Keys has been praised for her character by many across the tennis world since her Australian Open win.
Her biggest career win comes shortly after wedding to former top 100 player Bjorn Fratangelo, who is also her coach.
When speaking on the Nothing Major Podcast, Jack Sock mentioned Fratangelo and how pleased he was for Keys to cross the line.
Sock also suggested that this could be the catalyst for Keys to potentially go onto more major success.
“I think she is one of the nicest people on tour so I couldn’t be more happy for her,” said Sock. “She recently got married to a guy we all know well in Bjorn Fratangelo.
“For me it was seeing the joy and happiness on her face and the team around that we all know well, some people from USTA and people involved in American tennis. It was really, really cool to see and special to see the breakthrough 10 years later.
“Who knows – this could catapult her into a string of Slams or put her in position to win a bunch more Slams, which sounds like maybe she didn’t know she would get back to that spot.
“I genuinely couldn’t be more happy for her and her team around her. Hopefully this puts her in that position over and over again.”
What is Madison Keys’ ranking after winning the Australian Open?
It has not all been plain-sailing for the 10-time title winner over this past year, with Keys leaving Wimbledon in tears after suffering a hamstring injury.
However, after winning the Australian Open Keys has been able to climb an impressive 13 places upto world number seven.
This has matched her previous career-high that she achieved in October 2016.
As a result of Keys’ rise up the ranks, it means that there are now four American women inside the top 10.
Keys follows Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, with Emma Navarro making up the four top American’s at world number nine.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
