Days after her first Slam title, the tennis star shares what stoked her confidence, how she tweaked her game, and why representation matters on the court.

Madison Keys’ Grand Slam window wasn’t just closing. It had been slammed shut. She has always been an excellent player, but it felt like women’s tennis had passed her by. Far from her peak in 2017, when she was ranked No.

Madison Keys says she kept telling herself to be brave down the stretch of a tight third set in the Australian Open final against two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

Madison Keys and her husband and coach Bjorn Fratengelo, shed tears of joy after her breakthrough Australian Open triumph.

Having already authored one surprising upset after another in the 2025 Australian Open, 19th-seeded American Madison Keys had one final stunning match left in her, taking down world No. 1 and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 to win her first major title.

Australian Open women's champion Madison Keys returned to her career-best ranking on Monday and joins three other American women in the WTA top 10, while men's champion Jannik Sinner maintained his significant lead atop the ATP list.

Here, we look at why Keys’ run is one for the record books. 46th time lucky. This was Keys’ 46th appearance in the main draw of a Grand Slam, and many had thought the 29-year-