We have a new Grand Slam champion! Madison Keys just took home the Australian Open title, stunning everyone by defeating Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion, in a tense final. The match, which lasted 2 hours and 20 minutes, ended 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in Keys’ favor. For Sabalenka, who’s used to dominating almost every opponent with her power, this was a tough matchup. Keys, known for her explosive forehand, was unrelenting from the get-go, and she blasted forehands with authority throughout the match. The Belarusian tennis star had nothing but praise for her opponent. Even going as far as to liken her to one of the GOATs of tennis.

After the match, Sabalenka was full of praise for Keys in her post match conference, especially when asked if she considered the American’s ball striking to be the most powerful she’d encountered. Even more than her previous opponents, Serena Williams and Elena Rybakina.

Sabalenka didn’t hesitate, saying, “Today, yes, today was very fast, very deep, very aggressive. And yeah, there was a great level from her. As I said, if she can continue playing the way she was playing today, yeah, she can be in the top five.”

When it comes to power, Madison Keys’ forehand is in a league of its own. Keys’ forehand can reach speeds up to 170 km/h, which is even faster than Sabalenka’s 161 km/h. This raw power is what defines her game. In her own words, Keys once described her play style as “I have a pretty good serve and a pretty good forehand, but what people notice the most is how hard I can hit the ball and how much power is behind my shots.” And clearly, Sabalenka noticed it firsthand in this final.

But let’s not forget, these two aren’t the only players with monster forehands. Elena Rybakina, another powerhouse, averaged a forehand speed of 122.6 km/h during the 2023 Australian Open. While this is slower than Keys’, it’s still impressive. Rybakina’s speed is nearly 8 km/h faster than the WTA top 100 average, showcasing her strength from the baseline.

Serena Williams, another legend who’s known for her blistering serves, once reached a peak serve speed of 128.6 mph (207 km/h) during the 2013 Australian Open. Although her forehand speed isn’t as readily recorded, we all know it’s another tool in her arsenal that contributed to her storied career. Speaking of Williams, did you know that if Sabalenka would have won, she would have coveted a record that has even eluded the GOAT of WTA?

The Belarusian had high hopes going into this 2025 Australian Open, aiming for a historic hat-trick after her consecutive wins in 2023 and 2024. She could have been the first woman since Martina Hingis in 1999 to win three consecutive Australian Open titles. A win that would have placed her alongside legends like Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, Steffi Graf, and Monica Seles. But instead, Sabalenka’s dream was shattered by Keys’ relentless play. How did Aryna Sabalenka react to this defeat?

Aryna Sabalenka smashes racket after heartbreaking defeat

We saw the frustration on Sabalenka’s face immediately after the loss. She smashed her racket and then proceeded to cover her head with a towel, visibly emotional as tears started to flow. But the World No.1 being the professional she is, came back to the court moments later with composure. She gave a gracious runner-up speech, saying, “Madison, wow, what a tournament. You have been fighting really hard to get this trophy. Congrats to you and your team, you really well deserved it. Enjoy the celebrations, enjoy the really fun part.”

The World No. 1 also further said, “I really feel like home every time I’m here, even though I didn’t get it this year, I’ll come back stronger and I’ll do my best next year.” It’s clear that, despite the disappointment, Sabalenka is already looking ahead to future triumphs. So, what can we take away from this?

Madison Keys, with her fast, powerful game, has proven she can stand toe-to-toe with the best of them, including Sabalenka. And while Sabalenka’s dreams of a historic three-peat were dashed, her ability to remain gracious after such an emotional loss only adds to her status as a tennis player.

Will Madison Keys continue to build on this victory and break into the top five like Aryna Sabalenka said? What do you think?