Who would have thought a racket change would turn the fortunes of Madison Keys in 2025? But it did and how! The 29-year-old WTA star accomplished her longtime dream of winning a Slam at the Australian Open. At a packed Rod Laver Arena, with her brand Yonex EZONE 98, Keys outplayed World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets. The 27-year-old etched her name in the history books, thanks to a racket that helped her “maneuver things a little bit easier.” That one decision paid off very well. But it seems Keys wants more. Wait? Has she changed a racquet again? Nope. But it’s her kitbag this time!

During the off-season in 2024, Keys opted to part ways with her longtime equipment partner brand Wilson. The association lasted for two decades before she decided to move to Yonex. During an exhibition match in December, against compatriot Sloane Stephens, Keys introduced a black Yonex EZONE racquet on the court, thus confirming the change. Explaining the move, she later revealed, “I felt like in the past using my equipment, it was always either really good or really bad. I had a really hard time on days where I wasn’t really feeling it. Being able to tweak things, it felt really difficult to do that. This, I feel like I have a little bit more control over the average days and being able to find a happy medium.”

And this overhaul worked wonders for her down under. Prior to her historic win in the final of the Australian Open, she outplayed many prominent tennis players like Danielle Collins, World No.7 Elena Rybakina, and Elina Svitolina. Then in the semis, she stunned former World No.1 Iga Swiatek in a marathon battle. It all became possible because of her brand-new Yonex racquet. “I definitely think that I have a level of trust in things a little bit more with this racquet,” she said, as reported by AO’s official website on February 25.

While she’s yet to play another match after her Australian Open triumph, Key has already delivered a huge update about her training kitbag. It just got a special treatment. Taking to her Instagram story, on Monday, the American shared a picture of her customized bag. But what’s new in it? Well, the bag now carries her title as an Australian Open champion. Above the big Yonex logo on her bag, one can spot her name “Madi” with a kangaroo logo on the side.

Now that’s something really special, isn’t it? But do you know what’s even more special? It’s the big jump Keys has made in the WTA rankings.

Madison Keys reaches career-best ranking following Australian Open glory

Two weeks ago, after she beat Sabalenka to clinch her maiden Slam trophy, Madison Keys rose to the sixth spot. But after the rankings got updated on Monday, she made another jump and now she is in the top 5, currently sitting in the fifth position – the best in her career so far. With that, Keys has also become the 20th American WTA player to reach the top 5 since the official rankings began in 1975.

In the top 5, Keys is accompanied by compatriots Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, who are occupying the No.3 and the No.4 position respectively. For the first time in 21 years, three American women are simultaneously ranked under the top 5. Back in November 2003, Serena Williams, Lindsay Davenport, and Jennifer Capriati were ranked No.3, No.4, and No.5 respectively.

But what’s Madison Keys been up to after her AO triumph? Well, after her campaign down under, she had to withdraw from the Middle East swing due to a leg injury. Earlier this month, she pulled her name out of the Qatar Open and the Dubai Tennis Championships as well. But now it’s time to step back on the court. She’ll make her return at the 2025 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

Following her winning journey in Australia, Keys will look to impress again and will try and add another title to her tally. Her best run in Indian Wells to date has been her quarterfinal run in the 2022 season. She lost against Iga Swiatek in straight sets in the QF back then. Can she go a few steps further and clinch the title this time around? What do you think?