What’s better than winning your first Grand Slam? Winning it with a squad of friends who cheer you on like there’s no tomorrow! Madison Keys is soaking in all the love and admiration after her incredible Australian Open triumph, and it’s been nothing short of heartwarming. Tributes have been pouring in from all corners of the tennis world, celebrating her historic achievement. But hey, it’s not all heartfelt messages and sentimental notes—some friends just can’t resist adding a cheeky touch to the celebrations. And leading the charge is none other than her compatriot Frances Tiafoe.

The American tennis sensation took on Aryna Sabalenka in the final match on Saturday at the Rod Laver Arena. After engaging in a thrilling encounter that lasted 2 hours and 2 minutes, Keys managed to outshine the Belarusian powerhouse and with the three-setter match 6-3, 2-6, 7-5. Her friends have continued to express their admiration for her but an interesting screenshot from Tiafoe is capturing enough attention. 

Taking to his Instagram story, Tiafoe shared a screenshot of her chat with Keys. “You’re welcome🤷🏿‍♂️🤷🏿‍♂️,” the message read suggesting Tiafoe is taking some credit for the WTA Star’s tremendous win as he fulfilled the pact that both of them admitted to. But what is it all about and how did Tiafoe impact Keys’ win?

For the unversed, Madison Keys expressed her desire to not receive any message from Tiafoe throughout the Australian Open. Don’t worry, they are all cool! Rather, it is about a superstition that Keys found herself engulfed in ahead of the tournament. Revealing the same before her semi-final win against Iga Swiatek, she said, “We have this kind of joke where in the past he wouldn’t say anything pre-tournament or anything, and then he would text me, like, in the quarters or the semis or something, and I would lose the next round.” And so, she asked Tiafoe to refrain from texting her. 

“So we have this new rule. Like I saw him a few days ago, and I said, ‘Don’t text me, I don’t want to hear from you at all, just leave me alone and we’ll talk after the tournament,” Keys further added. Now, by sending a text only after she won the title, Frances Tiafoe is highlighting that he fulfilled the deal and that it also has some role to play in Keys’ victory. However, it is not just Tiafoe who is sending wishes to the WTA Star and taking pride in her achievement.

Coco Gauff, Ben Shelton, and other compatriots unite to congratulate Madison Keys

“I’ll try anything, I’ll do anything, I’ll be open.” These were the remarks of Madison Keys a few years ago and she finally fulfilled them after winning the Grand Slam on Saturday. She ousted the World No. 2 Swiatek and No. 1 Sabalenka in quick succession, proving her mettle on the court for all to see. In her 46th Grand Slam appearance, that was no easy feat. Such achievements deserve immense praise and Keys’ compatriots are not stepping back.

Lauding the star player, Coco Gauff took to her X handle and wrote, “So deserved, Go Madiii!!!” She was also joined by ATP star Ben Shelton who shared similar sentiments by adding the event’s official winner post to his Instagram story. Remember, Shelton and Keys were the only two American players to reach the Australian Open semi-finals this year after Gauff faced a shock exit against Spain’s Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Jessica Pegula also joined the fray of admirers and wrote, “We love to see it!!!! Much deserved in every way possible.” Now, as the season unfolds, it will be interesting to see if more such accolades add to Keys’ arsenal. Will her compatriots be right alongside her, with their own titles too? Fans surely hope so, for the American contingent has never been more solid.