“I’m really, really overjoyed for Madison Keys. She’s a great person.” 2003 US Open winner and former American pro-Andy Roddick was elated when his compatriot entered her first Australian Open final. On Thursday, the former World No.7 beat five-time Grand Slam winner and World No.2 Iga Swiatek. And then, on Saturday at Rod Laver Arena, Keys scripted history against World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the title clash of the Melbourne Major. Roddick was already on cloud nine after her semifinal win. But he couldn’t control his emotions after the American WTA pro lifted the trophy down under. In order to celebrate, he didn’t even care about a daily routine. And what’s that?

Defying the odds, Madison Keys beat Sabalenka in an intense final battle. After two and a half hours, she succeeded in holding her nerves and took the match with a score line of 6-3, 2-6, 7-5. What’s even more interesting to note is that Keys didn’t commit any double fault against a strong rival like Sabalenka. With her win, she also shattered the Belarusian’s dream to clinch three straight Australian Open titles after 2023 and 2024.

Following the historic win of the 29-year-old American, Andy Roddick was overjoyed. So much so, that he ended up breaking a personal rule. In an episode of his Quick Served podcast, dated January 25, Roddick made an interesting revelation. “Hey, everyone, welcome to Quick Served. As you can see, I am traveling. Guys, I don’t really drink in the morning,” he said. However, Keys’ victory made him ignore this rule. Per Roddick, “If there was ever a time, it would be in celebration of Madison Keys this morning.”

Meanwhile, the ex-pro commended Keys’ entire campaign down under. According to him, her draws were nothing less than a nightmare. But she overcame all her opponents with ease. After all, it takes a lot to beat “to beat Sviatek, to beat Sabalenka, the two-time defending champion in Australia. Nothing given, everything earned.”

Leading up to the final, Keys edged out prominent names in tennis. In the third round, she ousted compatriot and World No.11 Danielle Collins with a score line of 6-4, 6-4. In the fourth round, she brushed aside 2023 AO runner-up Elena Rybakina 6-3, 1-6, 6-3. Under the quarterfinal stage, Keys then stunned Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina who was going through a strong run as well. But she lost to the American 6-3, 3-6, 4-6. And we know what Keys did afterward in the semifinal and the final. Truly a remarkable campaign for her.

Now that we have seen Keys accomplishing her dream of being a Slam winner, it’s time for someone else to do it. On Sunday, the world will witness the men’s singles final between Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev. While the Fox won last time around and is a clear favorite again, the German is on a quest for his maiden Major trophy. Well, Keys has got some words of advice for him. So what did she say about Zverev’s chances?

Madison Keys has a motivational message for Alexander Zverev before the final against Jannik Sinner

Zverev has missed out on winning the Slams at crucial stages. For example, he lost the final at the Roland Garros last season against Carlos Alcaraz. He was leading in the first three sets but couldn’t hold his nerves. In the end, the Spaniard beat him 6–3, 2–6, 5–7, 6–1, 6–2. Prior to that, the German made it to the 2021 US Open semifinal. But there too, he failed to move ahead against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic who ousted him with a score line of 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

Talking about Zverev’s chances in the men’s final, Keys said, “Against Jannik, I feel like he has better advice to beat Jannik than I do.” While Zverev is leading 4-2 in the h2h tally against the Fox, the latter’s dominance since last season is undeniable. In 2024, he won 8 titles including two majors, and became No.1 in the world with a stellar singles record of 73-9.

Keys believes that Zverev will have to relieve himself of the pressure. “I think at some point it’s really just kind of letting go of the stress of ‘will I ever win one?’ and not really worrying about it and just playing tennis. At the end of the day, that’s all you can control and you can only control your side of the court so, that’s all you can focus on,” Keys remarked.

It remains to be seen if Zverev follows Keys’ advice on Sunday. What are your thoughts on Zverev’s chances against Jannik Sinner? Let us know in the comments below.