Madison Keys won her first Grand Slam, ending Aryna Sablalenka's hopes for a third consecutive Australian Open title.
Madison Keys came to Australia with a modest goal: she wanted to see how well she would perform as her 30th birthday is approaching next month.
After beating two-time champion Aryna Sablalenka in three set at Saturday's Australian Open Final, the resilient American has found her answer.
Keys won her first major after reaching a Grand Slam final for the second time eight years ago in New York. Then, she lost to Sloane Stephens.
The 6-3 and 6-0 defeat has been a source of pain ever since. But it was also an opportunity to learn.
She said, "I was so focused on being nervous during that match and I didn't give myself the chance to play."
"I think that the biggest thing for me was just knowing that I would be uncomfortable at many moments in the match.
It's going be stressful. "You have thousands of people looking at you."
Keys, who is now ranked 14th, will return to the Top 10 next week for the first since 2019.
In 2015, she was a 19-year old prodigy who made her first semi-final at Melbourne Park to show off her potential.
Ten years later, she beat world number two Iga Swaatek this time in the final four to set up a matchup with world number 1 Sabalenka.
The Belarusian was attempting to be the first woman since Martina Hingis in 1997-1999 to win three Melbourne titles in a single season.
Keys, the underdog and 19th seed, made a mockery of it all to win the title in a thrilling final with 6-3, 2-6. 7-5.
Keys finished her season in early October of last year, and she married her coach Bjorn fratangelo a month after.
Fratangelo was her coach from 2023. The two had been dating each other since 2017.
Fratangelo said to reporters the night before the final that Keys was still at his best.
"I don't think she is anywhere near her full potential," Fratangelo said, a fellow American and winner of the boys' singles title at the 2011 French Open.
You can only go so far with a sharpened axe. Sometimes you need to buy new tools. "I think that's exactly what I have tried to do."
Sabalenka's and Keys' power games can be overwhelming.
Swiatek praised Keys for his "bravery" after losing the semi-finals.
Fratangelo referred to Sabalenka as "a polished version of Madison" on the night before the final.
Keys was quoted as saying, "But I've seen what she does now and that is what greats do."
They have the ability and will to perform at a high level when the situation demands it.
Keys' early 30th-birthday present was a 10th and largest title in her career.
Keys won the Melbourne finals by beating Danielle Collins, Elena Rybakina and other former finalists.
In the semi-finals, she came back from a two-set deficit and saved a game point against Swiatek, world number two.
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