The year 2025 has heralded a new queen of the court in the form of Madison Keys, who has already made her mark by clinching the coveted Australian Open title. This victory, a milestone in her career, comes after years of anticipation and has proved that Keys’ potential for greatness is more than just talk.
From the onset, the tennis world saw a champion in the making. Keys made it to the US Open finals back in 2017, only to finish as a runner-up to Sloane Stephens. Despite this setback and a few subsequent heartbreaks at the semi-final stages of Grand Slams, she soldiered on. She bore the weight of expectations for years before finally letting it go, a mental shift that proved transformative.
Keys’ journey to becoming a Grand Slam champion was not easy. The road to her victory at Melbourne Park was littered with formidable opponents, including Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, and Aryna Sabalenka. But she prevailed, expressing relief and pride in her achievements regardless of the public’s expectations. She said, “I finally got to the point where I was okay if it didn’t happen. I didn’t need it to feel like I had a good career or that I deserved to be talked about as a great tennis player.”
The 2025 season has been nothing short of exceptional for Keys. She has a formidable 14-1 record, began the season with a quarter-final run at the ASB Classic, and even secured the Adelaide International title. But her crowning moment was at the Australian Open when she triumphed over world No 1 and two-time defending champion Sabalenka.
However, her journey this season has not been without hurdles. A hamstring injury has kept her off the court, leading to her withdrawal from the WTA 1000 events, the Qatar Open and Dubai Tennis Championships. Yet, she remains on the entry list for the Indian Wells Open in California, the first leg of the Sunshine Double, and is expected to compete at the Miami Open.
Keys’ triumphs have significantly impacted her standing in the WTA rankings. She began the year ranked 21, gradually climbing the ladder to reach No 5, equaling her career-high ranking.
The financial rewards have also been significant. With her Australian Open win, Keys’ career prize money crossed the $21,000,000 mark, and she currently stands at $22,518,583. Her earnings for 2025 alone amount to $3,670,815, surpassing her previous best of $2,554,853.
Her career has been backed by notable sponsors like Nike, who have partnered with her since she was 17. Keys also switched from Wilson to Yonex at the beginning of 2025, a move that appears to have paid off. She is also associated with Evian and has endorsement deals with Acuvue, Orangetheory Fitness, and Ultimate Software.
Keys’ victory has earned her praise from notable figures in the tennis world. Laura Robson, a friend and Eurosport commentator, commended her resilience, stating, “To now lift that trophy in what was such a topsy-turvy match, so nerve-racking even if you weren’t emotionally involved in it. It was a match that 18 months ago she wouldn’t have won. I could not be prouder of the performance she put on.”
Former world No 1 Jim Courier echoed these sentiments, saying, “She believed that this time would be different, and it is. She is now and forever a champion.” Tim Henman added, “To see her put it all together, I think was one of the most popular Grand Slam wins for a long time.”
Keys’ remarkable journey, both on and off the court, is a testament to her grit and determination. Her story is a reminder that success often comes after years of perseverance, and that sometimes, letting go of the burden of expectations is the key to achieving greatness.
