The Rod Laver Arena changed colors on Saturday, January 25, when Madison Keys kept the thrusters in motion to outfox Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka for her maiden Australian Open title. With her first of potentially many Slam to come, the American star finally achieved her long-drawn quest of bringing home a Major victory after ending Sabalenka’s challenge in a thrilling three-set showcase, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5. And what better reward than her colleagues and compatriots congratulating her on achieving the feat?

Madison, 29, wasn’t new to the loud Melbourne crowd when she stepped foot to challenge the double-defending champion for the Happy Slam silverware. She made the semifinals of the season-opening Slam ten years ago as a 19-year-old and did it again in 2022. However, victory always seemed out of reach for the American player. After addressing her newfound zeal for attaining glory and admitting, “I’ll try anything, I’ll do anything, I’ll be open” – Madison finally succeeded.

She exacted revenge on her New York home-slam heartbreaker Sabalenka to become the fifth American woman to lift the Melbourne crown. The semifinals of the event saw the 19th seed dispatch World No. 2 Iga Swiatek in a close contest after reversing the match point in her favor and now, to the victor belongs the spoils. She walked away with her first-ever Slam victory by beating Sabalenka and, cherry on top, a calm $2.2M paycheck for her troubles at Melbourne Park.

Taking quick notice of her triumph, fellow tennis players weren’t far behind to congratulate her on social media.

Compatriots Coco Gauff, Ben Shelton, and Jessica Pegula among others, commend Madison Keys’ AO title finish

American superstar Madison Keys welcomed a heap of congratulatory messages thanks to her Australian Open title finish on Saturday. Her countrywoman Coco Gauff became one of the firsts. The young player took to her X handle and wrote, “So deserved, Go Madiii!!!” As for World No. 3 Gauff, the former US Open champion suffered a shock exit at the hands of Spaniard Paula Badosa in the quarterfinal, despite being one of the favorites for the Melbourne title this season.

Later, several other US tennis sensations joined the celebrations as compatriot Sloane Stephens commended her AO closing act, saying, “My champion,” accompanied by a crown emoji.

Subsequently, ATP star and American Ben Shelton, who, at 22, became the youngest American man to reach the Australian Open semifinals in 22 years, also toasted Keys’ victory by adding the event’s official winner post to his Instagram story. For those unaware, Shelton and Keys were the only two American players who managed to reach the semifinal of AO, with young Shelton losing to Italian Jannik Sinner for the title decider.

John McEnroe’s younger brother, Patrick McEnroe, also recorded a congratulatory message for the 29-year-old Keys by reiterating her first of many feats on the Grand Slam stage – “Madison Keys. Major champion.” Fellow WTA player and 2024 US Open finalist Jessica Pegula, who was handed an upset at the hands of 24-year-old Olga Danilovic from Serbia, lauded Keys’ thrilling Melbourne finish by narrating her heartfelt thoughts on X. “We love to see it!!!! Much deserved in every way possible.”

Having boosted her credentials on the tour with a Slam victory, Keys has showcased exactly what sheer determination and persistence get a player. With one major in her pocket, the 2025 season should see the American sensation dig deep in other upcoming Slam events and possibly earn redemption for her years of hard work on the circuit.