Madison Keys has won her first Grand Slam title at 29-years-old after beating Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final.
Keys lost to Sloane Stephens in the US Open final over seven years ago, but has now overcome that barrier after beating Sabalenka.
The American had to beat both of the top two ranked WTA players in back-to-back matches, with Keys being praised by Iga Swiatek despite saving a match point against her in the semi-final.
In the final, Keys managed to overpower Sabalenka leaving the world number one stunned and unable to win a third consecutive Australian Open title.
Taylor Townsend reveals what she told Madison Keys after getting injured last year
Keys has been praised by Serena Williams and many others since her Australian Open victory, proving how well liked she is.
Last year, she had to miss the Australian Open due to a shoulder injury and Keys retired at Wimbledon against Jasmine Paolini in tears with a hamstring injury.
Her friend and doubles Grand Slam champion Taylor Townsend spoke in a press conference about what she told Keys after her Wimbledon heartbreak.
Townsend also explained the closeness of their bond, that has included staying at Keys’ house and sharing a coach.
“Oh, man, I was almost in tears,” said Townsend reacting to Keys’ win. “Like, I was choked up because when I was down at USTA (United States Tennis Association), I was spending every weekend at Madison’s house. I was spending the night at her house multiple times. She introduced me to country music and took me through a country phase (laughing).
“But we spent so much time together. We shared a coach for a year and a half. So I spent a lot of time with her, and we developed a really close relationship.
“You know, what I thought about was during I think it was at the French (Wimbledon 2024) when she hurt herself and had to pull out, and I saw her in the locker room, and I just hugged her. She cried on my shoulder, and I’m, like, It’s going to be okay, it’s going to be okay.
“It’s times in those moments where you don’t know what’s going to happen, and she thought she tore a hamstring, and it was just a lot of uncertainty. So for me, like, as a friend, I’m just so genuinely happy because you see people overcome certain things, and you see people go through things.
“To know that they put their head down and just work, and just you hope for the best. I just can’t even put into words how happy I am, and it inspired me. I look at Madison and all the things that she’s been through.”
Madison Keys reacts to Taylor Townsend’s Australian Open doubles win
Townsend reacted to Keys’ victory on social media, and now the roles have been reversed after the women’s doubles final at the Australian Open.
Alongside her partner Katerina Siniakova, Townsend won her second Grand Slam title after beating the pairing of Su-wei Hsieh and Jelena Ostapenko.
Despite Keys celebrating her Australian Open win, she still found time to congratulate Townsend on her victory.
“My girl!!! @tay_taytownsend,” Keys said on her Instagram story.
Keys is next expected to compete at the WTA 1000 tournaments in the Middle East in both Doha and Dubai.
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