The Rise of Madison Keys

Eight years ago, an empty Madison Keys walked up to the net slowly, tears blossoming in her eyes. She had just been demolished by an extremely in-form Sloane Stephens in the 2017 US Open final. This was Keys’s first chance at raising a Grand Slam trophy. Another opportunity wouldn’t come until years later. The result would be much different. 

After bursting onto the scene as a 14-year-old in 2009, Keys already had eyes trained on her career—fans, reporters, and rival players all knew her name. Like many who came before and many to come, Keys was a top prospect, stuck in limbo where question marks fill the air. Could she be the next great American player? Could she win tournaments? Slams? Could she attain the #1 ranking? While living through this period is exciting, it can be extremely difficult if a player fails to check off these boxes. And it would take Keys almost ten years until she walked onto Arthur Ashe Stadium, ready to prove herself. To be fair, she was barely into her 20s and perhaps even too young to be winning a slam. Nevertheless, the people who had been following her pathway to the peak had been waiting for this moment. However, the wait was not over. 

For the next four years, Keys produced solid results, winning several titles and maintained decent results at the slams. And as time wore on, questions changed. Had she reached already her peak? After players returned to the tour as Covid-19 was winding down, Keys had an even tougher time producing results. In 2021, she slipped outside of the top 50. But this lull proved to be a turning point, and the Orlando-resident would come back even stronger. 

Photo credit: Miami Open presented by Itau.

In 2022, she got to more major semis, picked up another title, and slowly climbed back into the top 20. The following year, she added another trophy to the cabinet and snuck back into the top ten. A similar pattern followed in 2024. In November, she married former player Bjorn Fratangelo which was a beautiful way to end the season. But as we recall, when the year finished and the world raced into 2025, it turned out to be Madison Keys’ moment. 

Seeded 19th at the Australian Open, the first major challenge she faced was in the third round against fellow Floridian Danielle Collins. Collins had been on an early-tournament tear and was the center of attention as the pair walked into Rod Laver Arena. Despite jeering fans and late night partiers, Keys kept herself composed and didn’t get distracted — taking down her fellow American in two tight sets. This match was the easiest it would get for Keys, as more seeded opponents and nail-biting tiebreakers would be coming. 

The first statement win for Keys was in the fourth round against Elena Rybakina. Here, she took down the 6th seed in three sets but not without caveats. The American won the first set 6-3, but Rybakina was not finished yet. She clicked the reset button and demolished Keys in the second set letting her win only a single game. After walking to the bench knowing a tough third set was to come, Keys stayed focused and ended up winning an early break at 1-1 which sealed the match. In the quarter-final, she took on Elena Svitolina who proved to be another difficult opponent. The Ukrainian won the first set, but like previous rounds Keys swung her way back and soared through the next two sets to reach the semi-finals.

Photo credit: Miami Open presented by Itau.

This battle against 2nd seed Iga Swiatek was perhaps the match of the tournament. Both players held serve evenly until 5-5 and it was at this moment where the Pole jumped ahead and broke Keys’ serve to win the first set. Yet again, she found herself in a deep hole that, when playing the second best player in the world, was nearly impossible to climb out of. But something seriously went awry for Swiatek in the second set as Keys began to play at a higher level, winning that one 6-1. Yet after all the ups and downs the two women found themselves equally exhausted and playing at similar levels in the third set. They stayed dead-even all the way through until the tiebreak. It’s safe to say no spectator wasn’t nervous as Keys just slipped by 10-8. There was little that separated the two here—and it was a matter of one point or two that made the difference. But the difference was made, and now Keys found herself in the final. Two-time defending champion and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was next and the odds were stacked against Keys. 

Sabalenka is a methodical, rhythmic assassin. She doesn’t necessarily play very fast, but she has an aggressive game style that is centered around big serves and massive forehands. Quick points that end after a few shots, and oftentimes they end with Sabalenka hitting a heavy blast which the opponent cannot return. When she gets in a rhythm, it’s hard to get her out of it. Playing Sabalenka can be overwhelming, especially in Melbourne where the medium-paced courts complement her game wonderfully. But Keys delivered a masterclass performance. 

The American beat Sabalenka at her own game, playing powerful tennis and mixing in unorthodox solutions like her devilish slice/drop shot combos which left Sabalenka speechless. And while the #1 seed was able to give her a difficult time, recovering from a tough first set and forcing a third—Keys stayed with her game plan. And she executed it perfectly.

Here’s the takeaway: Madison Keys is a true champion. She’s had a difficult time over her career, especially in wake of that fateful US Open final. But she didn’t give up. She worked harder and improved, which is an extremely difficult thing to do at this stage of a player’s career. Yet there's not a more deserving player who could've taken home the 2025 Australian Open trophy. 

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Written by William Turvey. Photo credit (top): Miami Open presented by Itau.