Madison Keys is finally a grand slam winner! After multiple failed attempts, and coming as an underdog at the Australian Open, the 29-year-old, despite all odds became a major champion. However, much of the credit for this goes to her off-season changes and a major addition to her team, her husband and coach, Bjorn Fratangelo. Talking about the success that she has achieved, retired American pros had nothing but respect for her. Here’s what they had to say.

Former American tennis pros, talking on the podcast, Nothing Major, shared their admiration for Madison Keys’ recent achievements. They celebrated her impressive Australian Open journey, her Adelaide International title, and her milestones.

Keys’ Australian Open run was nothing short of extraordinary. Steve Johnson, a former pro said, “Let go, and now she’s ultimately a Slam champion. As you guys know, in my career, when I didn’t care so much, I often played better. So, for her to reach that mental spot, whatever it took, is really impressive. That quote resonated with me. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m really happy for her. She played incredible tennis at the biggest moments, didn’t blink in the face of adversity, and got it done.”

Keys faced tough opponents, including Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, but her resilience shone through. While both the matches went to 3 sets, she managed to keep her calm and composure and won. Her victory was even more special because after going through a lot, she was finally able to land her 1st grand slam title. The final scoreline of the final match was 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.

Much credit for this goes to her Adelaide International triumph. This set the tone for her season. “Not only did she win the Australian Open, but she also won the warm-up tournament in Adelaide, which was a 500 event. She’s already beaten five top-10 players this year. With all the changes at the end of the year—marriage, racket change, string change—it’s been incredible to see her dominant run,” an analyst pointed out.

Her form and confidence were evident as she defeated Jessica Pegula in the finals of Adelaide International, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1. This victory also earned her her second title in Adelaide. In the off-season, she made a bold decision. Having played with Wilson rackets, she decided to switch from those (she had used it for nearly 20 years) to a Yonex model. While the change might have taken time to adjust, it did wonders for Keys.

Not only this, but back in November 2024, she decided to marry her long-time partner, Bjorn Fratangelo. The couple started dating in 2017 and announced their engagement in March of 2023. The wedding was celebrated in Charleston. Her closest friends on the tour including Jennifer Brady, Jessica Pegula, Sloane Stephens, Taylor Townsend, and Mitchell Krueger were all present. Bjorn Fratangelo has been a former No. 99 in the PIF ATP Rankings and is also the coach of Keys.

While all this adds to Keys’ success, there was something that caught the former pros completely off-guard. Amidst the ongoing LA Wildfires, Madison Keys decided to do something that earned her special praise.

Madison Keys’ heartfelt act towards LA Wildfires earns her special praise

LA suffered one of the biggest disasters when 7 fires broke out. Fueled by powerful winds and dry conditions, devastating wildfires erupted on January 7, sweeping across the Los Angeles area. The fires claimed multiple lives, including some who tragically lost their lives while trying to save their homes. Thousands of structures were destroyed, leaving communities in ruin and many without shelter.

The tennis world came together to help those suffering from the wildfires. One among those stars was Madison Keys herself. The American star announced to donate $20,000 to the rehab. This became a talking point for the retired American pros as they hailed her for her heartfelt act.

“That’s a good point, Stevie. It’s almost like she was playing for something much bigger than herself. For all the people affected by the fires back home, on January 11th, she announced a $20,000 donation to the LA Fire Department, which was incredible. She seemed deeply affected by those events in LA and played with a strong sense of purpose,” said John Isner.

While Madison Keys looks to continue her season in flying form, her act of generosity towards the people struggling has caught everyone’s eye. While many like Taylor Fritz and others have already contributed towards a noble cause, her joining them was a heartfelt act.