Madison Keys Melts Hearts With Loving Gesture to Husband-Coach Bjorn Fratangelo at Australian Open

Keys has done it! The underdog came through in sensational fashion to capture her maiden Grand Slam! In a gripping battle, that had fans on the edge of their seats, Madison Keys defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 to win the Australian Open! Keys, who were serving at 5-6 in the deciding set, hit a stunning backhand winner before Sabalenka faltered with a netted volley. The world number one responded with a fantastic forehand, saving the first championship point, but Keys was relentless. At 6-5, she delivered a flawless forehand winner to seal the victory!

The 29-year-old’s career-defining moment arrived after years of hard work and a heartbreak in 2017 US Open finals along the way. But what happened next will melt you.

Madison, tearfully, walked toward her husband and coach, Bjorn Fratangelo and hugged him.

Madison Keys’ journey to her first Grand Slam title has been nothing short of extraordinary—and at the heart of it lies her husband and coach, Bjorn Fratangelo. His decision to switch racquets ahead of the Australian Open in off season has turned into a career-defining move. The switch from Wilson to Yonex added a new edge to Keys’ game, and the results speak for themselves.

“I feel like I’m able to kind of go for things a little bit more, but have the ability to be able to control them a little bit more,” the 2025 Australian champion reflected. “One of the big things is – especially on the days where I’m not really feeling things – I felt like I have the ability to kind of manipulate things with my racquet and my hands and kind of have a little bit more safety. I was kind of struggling with that before. I definitely think it’s obviously been a huge benefit for me and has brought a lot more to my game,” she further added.

The change in her game lined up with a new phase in her personal life; duo’s romance, which started in 2017 at a Florida training center, grew for over six years before Fratangelo asked her to marry him in March 2023. The pair tied the knot in November 2024, with friends, family, and tennis stars like Jessica Pegula there to celebrate. But their journey to become a coaching duo wasn’t simple.

Fratangelo, who had been in the ATP top 100 and won the French Open boys’ title, wasn’t certain at first when Keys asked him to coach her after he quit playing in 2023. He worried mixing their relationship and work might lead to issues. But after talking it over and getting backing from his own coach, he chose to take the job.

While the newlyweds’ raw emotions after her first Grand Slam victory attracted, their joy isn’t theirs alone—fellow U.S. tennis star Jessica Pegula has been quick to share in the celebration of Keys’ historic win.

Jessica Pegula joins the celebration of Madison Keys’ historic grand slam triumph

After years of near-misses and heartbreak, Madison Keys finally claimed her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, capping off a determined journey and with a remarkable 34–10 AO record (77%), her consistency in Melbourne now shines with ultimate glory.

Keys’ triumph thrilled her close friend, Jessica Pegula, who celebrated on social media with a heartfelt “Let’s goooo, madisonkeys,” on a video that was shared by the Australian Open, having Keys on the Podium with the trophy. But Jessie didn’t stop at that and reposted Nike’s tribute to the American: “The difference between patience and persistence is your first major.”

Pegula wasn’t the only American pro to join in celebration, 2023 US Open champion join in Pegula on X. Gauff wrote, “So deserved, Go Madiii!!!”

For Madison Keys, this might be the first of many. Do you reckon, now with monkey off her back, 29-year-old can start a title winning spree?