How many of you had predicted that Madison Keys would win the 2025 AO? Well, in the last few years, we’ve seen sheer dominance from Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka on the women’s Tour. So, perhaps most of the experts and fans had predicted either one of them to have the last laugh in Melbourne this time as well. However, Keys had other plans, she not only stunned Aryna Sabalenka in the final but also overcame the mighty challenge from Iga Swiatek in the SF. Recently, the former tennis player and Madison Keys’ close friend, Sam Querrey was seen highlighting how she overcame some tough challenges to clinch the first major title of her career.

Talking about predictions, well, only Jessica Pegula had correctly predicted that Madison Keys would win the 2025 AO title before the tournament even began. After losing the final match at the Adelaide International to Keys, Jessica Pegula was heard saying to Rennae Stubbs, “If Madison Keys plays half as good as she did against me in the third set of the Adelaide Final, she will win the title.” Now, when her predictions came true, Pegula was seen boasting about her correct call through a tweet. In that tweet, she wrote, “This is true. I kinda told everyone tbh 😂.“

With this win, Madison Keys has now joined the elite list of American women’s tennis stars featuring Serena Williams, Sofia Kenin, Chris Evert, and Martina Navratilova, who had previously tasted success in this mega event. The road to glory wasn’t easy and guess what? She had to face her compatriot, Danielle Collins in the third round. We all have seen how ‘Danimal’ did the damage in the early stages of the 2024 season. So, wrapping that match in just two sets was truly extraordinary from Keys. Then after Collins’, Madison Keys had to face even sturdier challenges in the next few rounds.

During the recent episode of Nothing Majors, Sam Querrey was seen speaking on the big hurdles that Madison Keys had to overcome on her way to her title triumph in Melbourne. What does this win mean to Madison Keys, according to Querrey? “So, happy! I think she’s such a likable person, and it’s always cool to see a player you said it like this was I believe her 46th Slam appearance before she won a major. You don’t see that too often. Someone winning their first major so late in their career like that and you could see the joy in her face when she won it,” said Sam Querrey.

Madison Keys has now become the first player to defeat both world number one and number 2 at a Slam since Svetlana Kuznetsova at Roland Garros in 2009 and the first at the Australian Open since Williams in 2005. Speaking on Keys’ incredible run in this tournament, Querrey added, “It was amazing, and she went through the gauntlet of draws. It’s not like she had an easy road to the final. She beat Collins, Rybakina, Svitolina, Swiatek, Sabalenka. Like these are Big Time Players and she t get through that part of the draw makes it even cooler and more special I think.“

With this incredible victory in Melbourne, Madison Keys has now made her entry into the Top 10. She’s currently placed at the 7th spot in the women’s singles list with 4,680 points. The way she has started this season, tennis fans can surely hope for a few more big wins in the upcoming tournament in the 2025 season. What did Madison Keys say after this win, though?

Madison Keys reflects on how her team’s incredible support helped her land her first major title

Madison Keys’ resurgence on the Tour has been a story worth mentioning. There are a lot of people who have played an incredible role in helping her reach her goals. One among them is her husband and coach, Bjorn Frantangelo. We saw Keys was literally in tears after the win and she rushed to hug her husband who has been pulling double duty as her coach and providing invaluable support from the sidelines.

Speaking on the importance of having her husband by her side, she said, “Last year was so tough with some really bad injuries and I didn’t know if I was going to be able to do it again. To be here and have this trophy and to be able to do with my husband, who’s kind of dazed and confused over there, I love you all so much and I cannot wait for more.” She also thanked her team for believing in her and showing their support through thick and thin.

Even her husband penned an emotional message for his wife on IG after this incredible win. He commended Madison Keys on her well-deserved victory and highlighted how tough it has been for the past 8 years to reach this stage. Can Madison Keys come up with a few more similar performances and challenge Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka in the upcoming tournaments?

Well, according to tennis expert, Joanna Sakowicz-Kostecka, “Madison has more to prove on slower surfaces because she is much more dangerous on faster ones. However, such success inspires and makes a player want to develop. Keys has already achieved her most important success, and now she can focus on improving her game on slower surfaces.” She also highlighted since Madison Keys doesn’t have to defend many points this year, she thinks her rankings could improve further in the next few months. What are your thoughts on this, though?