Heartbroken Madison Keys broke down in tears after devastating Aryna Sabalenka defeat – now she’s out for revenge
Madison Keys stands on the brink of a long-awaited Grand Slam title. On the opposite side of the court in Saturday’s Australian Open women’s final might be the most fearsome prospect in women’s tennis, Aryna Sabalenka on a hard court – and there is history. Keys will play in the Australian Open final after a stunning win against SwiatekAFP Keys powered past world No.2 Iga Swiatek in a dramatic third-set tiebreak to book her place in a second Grand Slam final, more than seven years on from her first at the 2018 US Open. The American will face the imposing Sabalenka on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday. The Belarusian is almost unstoppable on the hard courts having reached the last five major finals on the surface, including winning the last two Australian Open events. This opportunity has been a long time coming for Keys who was hailed as the next big star of women’s tennis when she turned professional on her 14th birthday, bursting onto the scene by beating world No.81 Alla Kudryavtseva in straight sets. In doing so, she became the seventh-youngest player ever to win a WTA Tour-level match, at the age of 14 years and 48 days. But 15 years on, her best slam result remains a straight sets loss to close friend Sloane Stephens in the 2017 US Open final. Just by reaching the final of this year’s in Melbourne, Keys ended her run as the player with the longest gap between their first two Grand Slam finals in the Open Era. She has waited almost eight years for the moment but to go one step further and win the tournament, Keys will have to do the unthinkable and down Sabalenka. The world No.1 is in imperious form, and has picked up 20 straight victories at the Australian Open, dating back to her dominant performance in 2023, which was followed by a second-straight title when she lifted the trophy without dropping a set. Not only will the hopes of breaking her Grand Slam duck weigh heavily on Keys, but she could also be out for revenge against a rival that left her in tears when they last met at a major. Keys was edged out by Sabalenka last time they met at a Grand Slam Back in 2023, Sabalenka squeezed past Keys in the semifinal of the US Open. The American swept the first set, but her opponent rallied back to a 6-0, 6-7(1), 6-7(5) win. After that match, Keys delivered an emotional press conference in which she vowed to turn the defeat into a positive moment. “I think everyone at the start of the tournament would be really, really excited to be in the semis,” Keys said at the time, holding back tears. “Right now it sucks, but yeah, I just think being able to take this and turn it into a positive is possible. “There’s still a lot to be proud of and tons of tennis to play.” Keys was left in tears last time Sabalenka beat her at a majorUS OPEN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS She delivered an emotional press conference after her 2023 US Open defeatUS OPEN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS Different types of tears have already been on show from Keys at the Australian Open this year. After her epic win against Swiatek, the American became emotional on the court, overwhelmed by an upset that has delivered her first Grand Slam final in eight years. Keys will be looking to channel that emotion, and perhaps a feeling of revenge, as she bids to take down Sabalenka on Saturday.
Madison Keys stands on the brink of a long-awaited Grand Slam title.
On the opposite side of the court in Saturday’s Australian Open women’s final might be the most fearsome prospect in women’s tennis, Aryna Sabalenka on a hard court – and there is history.
Keys powered past world No.2 Iga Swiatek in a dramatic third-set tiebreak to book her place in a second Grand Slam final, more than seven years on from her first at the 2018 US Open.
The American will face the imposing Sabalenka on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday.
The Belarusian is almost unstoppable on the hard courts having reached the last five major finals on the surface, including winning the last two Australian Open events.
This opportunity has been a long time coming for Keys who was hailed as the next big star of women’s tennis when she turned professional on her 14th birthday, bursting onto the scene by beating world No.81 Alla Kudryavtseva in straight sets.
In doing so, she became the seventh-youngest player ever to win a WTA Tour-level match, at the age of 14 years and 48 days.
But 15 years on, her best slam result remains a straight sets loss to close friend Sloane Stephens in the 2017 US Open final.
Just by reaching the final of this year’s in Melbourne, Keys ended her run as the player with the longest gap between their first two Grand Slam finals in the Open Era.
She has waited almost eight years for the moment but to go one step further and win the tournament, Keys will have to do the unthinkable and down Sabalenka.
The world No.1 is in imperious form, and has picked up 20 straight victories at the Australian Open, dating back to her dominant performance in 2023, which was followed by a second-straight title when she lifted the trophy without dropping a set.
Not only will the hopes of breaking her Grand Slam duck weigh heavily on Keys, but she could also be out for revenge against a rival that left her in tears when they last met at a major.
Back in 2023, Sabalenka squeezed past Keys in the semifinal of the US Open.
The American swept the first set, but her opponent rallied back to a 6-0, 6-7(1), 6-7(5) win.
After that match, Keys delivered an emotional press conference in which she vowed to turn the defeat into a positive moment.
“I think everyone at the start of the tournament would be really, really excited to be in the semis,” Keys said at the time, holding back tears.
“Right now it sucks, but yeah, I just think being able to take this and turn it into a positive is possible.
“There’s still a lot to be proud of and tons of tennis to play.”
Different types of tears have already been on show from Keys at the Australian Open this year.
After her epic win against Swiatek, the American became emotional on the court, overwhelmed by an upset that has delivered her first Grand Slam final in eight years.
Keys will be looking to channel that emotion, and perhaps a feeling of revenge, as she bids to take down Sabalenka on Saturday.
