In a thrilling upset, American tennis star Madison Keys defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to claim her maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Saturday. The 29-year-old Keys emerged victorious after a hard-fought battle, winning 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.
The match was a nail-biter, with Keys edging out Sabalenka by a single point, 92 to 91. Sabalenka had been aiming for her third consecutive Australian Open title, a feat not accomplished since Martina Hingis achieved it between 1997 and 1999.
This victory marked Keys' second opportunity to capture a major title. Her previous attempt ended in a loss to Sloane Stephens at the 2017 US Open. Keys admitted to carrying the weight of expectation throughout her career, feeling pressured to win a Grand Slam to validate her potential.
"For a long time, I felt that if I didn't win a Grand Slam, I wouldn't have fulfilled my potential," Keys shared. "It was a significant weight on my shoulders. But I finally reached a point of self-acceptance and pride in my career, regardless of winning a major. Letting go of that internal pressure allowed me to play freely and ultimately achieve this victory."
Keys' journey to the title included a remarkable semifinal win over world No. 2 Iga Świątek. This achievement made Keys the first woman since Serena Williams in 2005 to defeat both top-ranked players at Melbourne Park. She credited the win against Swiatek with boosting her confidence for the final against Sabalenka.
"The victory against Iga was a major breakthrough," Keys explained. "I always had faith in my ability, but winning that match solidified my belief that I could win the final." This was Keys' 46th Grand Slam appearance, making her the third woman with the most appearances before winning a major title, behind only Flavia Pennetta (49) and Marion Bartoli (47).
"There were times I doubted I could return to this level," Keys confessed. "To achieve this victory means the world to me."
