Maddy just did it! Madison Keys just ended her 16-year Grand Slam drought since her debut in the Australian Open yesterday after she beat top seed and back-to-back AO winner Aryna Sabalenka. She also distinguished herself as the oldest player to claim victory in a Slam Down Under. And that’s not all! This 29-year-old’s Grand Slam victory marks a significant achievement; she is the first woman to overcome the world’s top two-seeded players since Svetlana Kuznetsova’s triumph at Roland-Garros in 2009 to win a Grand Slam title. Similarly, Maddy has become the second American, after Serena Williams, to achieve the same feat at the Australian Open, who did the same 20 years ago in 2005 by defeating Amélie Mauresmo and Lindsay Davenport. Well, Maddy’s perseverance has been rewarded. And as is her due, a former American pro player found comfort amidst a slew of personal tragedies, acknowledging Keys’ success as a silver lining.

On the back of winning Adelaide International, Madison’s journey till AO triumph is no fluke. Her path to victory included defeating strong opponents like Danielle Collins, Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina, and Iga Swiatek – seeded 10th, 6th, 28th, and 2nd respectively. A grueling journey, right? But there was more in store for the American as she faced off against Aryna Sabalenka in the Championship match. And boy, did the American have to dig deep in the three-setter.

While the 19th seed took the first set, Sabalenka responded strongly in the second to level the match at 1-1, setting up a decisive third set. And what a treat that was for fans! The competition went down to the wire as the set ended 7-5, with Keys clinching her career’s first GS title. And, right after the match, the seven-time doubles winner at AO Pam Shriver shared her heartfelt wishes despite the tragic circumstances back home.

The 133 WTA tour-level titles winner Pam Shriver took her X handle to congratulate her native countrywoman just after the match, stating “Just waking up in Los Angeles where in the last 18 days there has not been much joy and happiness. A huge well deserved congratulations to Maddy, Bjorn and her team. “Good things come to those who wait” The quality and drama of women’s matches has been top shelf! 👊”. Why, however, has Los Angeles not been into joy and happiness for the last 18 days though? Well, the reason is a wildfire, a severe catastrophic event in the human world.

The incident that Stubbs mentioned was about the ferocious wildfire situation that happened in Los Angeles on January 7th, just before the AO this year. An extremely dry conditions and powerful winds caused the massive burnings while killing at least 27 people as per the latest reports from NBC News. Not only that, but the fire also destroyed more than 6,800 structures including damage to over 24,446 acres of lands with both Eaton and Huges fire. Although Pam was not present during the wildfire, she was victimized by theft after her return from vacation, suffering the loss of her car and an extensive collection of tennis trophies from a campsite. 

“I am concerned about both that um both, obviously for the car. But um the people who are doing this like come on man we gotta come together, we gotta doing things like the way you see people donating in the way you see, the way the first responders are pushing through this so let’s all feel a sense of community and help the people in Altadena, Pacific, Palisades and common, let’s do the right thing. This is not the time to give people even more stress and more worry and more lack of confidence that we feel safe,” Pam even added in a video published by KTLA Entertainment. 

With the win over Sabalenka, Madison Keys became the first American to defeat a world No. 1 in a GS final since Serena Williams in the 2012 US Open. And, the feat was well celebrated, as along with Pam, her national colleagues also participated in wishing her.

Fellow Americans stars applauded Madison Keys on her AO triumph 

A milestone achievement reached at the age of 29! Madison Keys just pulled off a significant milestone in her career: winning a Slam on her 46th try. Only two players have taken more appearances before winning their first title before Flavia Pennetta with 49, and Marion Bartoli with 47. And just as she came victorious, Maddy gained a significant amount of congratulatory messages, starting from 20-year-old Coco Gauff, stating “So deserved, Go Madiii!!!”, on her X handle, whose AO journey came to an end after a shocking defeat to semi-finalist Paula Badosa. 

Along with her, compatriot Sloane Stephens also joined the party right after her win, adding “My champion 👑”. Fellow American ATP star, Ben Shelton, whose AO journey ended after he got a straight-set loss to Jannik Sinner in the semis, celebrated the victory by adding AO’s official winner post to his Instagram.

Jessica Pegula, who was upset in her AO run when she got beaten by Olga Danilovic in the third round also lauded Keys with a heartfelt message. On X, she stated, “We love to see it!!!! Much deserved in every way possible”.

As Madison finally found her keys to success, she showed the world what determination and hard work can get a player. Having already lifted the inaugural Slam trophy of the year, do you think she will bag another one in 2025? Share your thoughts below!