Kim Clijsters recalls how she reacted when Madison Keys upset Aryna Sabalenka in Australian Open final
World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka failed to complete the three peat at the Australian Open after losing the final to Madison Keys.
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Kim Clijsters, Madison Keys (Images via X)
Madison Keys fought hard to fulfill her Grand Slam dream, and when she achieved it, it made not only her but also the former World No.1 Kim Clijsters emotional. Keys had to overcome World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in a grueling three-set battle to emerge as the 2025 Australian Open champion.
Keys, after edging Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, ended Sabalenka’s 20-match winning streak, becoming the fourth oldest player to win a Grand Slam singles title for the first time. Clijsters, the four-time Major singles champion, appeared on Andy Roddick‘s podcast and recalled how she reacted after Keys won the title.
To see Madi do it and to see the relief and the tears… I got up, I had a coughing moment in the middle of the night, and I checked my phone to see the live score and I was like ‘alright I have to go’. It was 4-3 in the first set and I watched it in the middle of the night. It was incredible. I cried. All the emotions they come back. I am so happy for her.
Kim Clijsters said on Served with Andy Roddick podcast
Before the Australian Open, Keys had lost her only previous Major final to Sloane Stephens at the 2017 US Open. She has now become the player with the longest gap between her first two Grand Slam finals in the Open Era.
Grand Slam title still matters to Madison Keys
Madison Keys‘ comment about winning Grand Slam titles was a bit controversial. According to the American, a Grand Slam title was one of her goals, but she didn’t consider winning the tournament to be called successful. She has now opened up about the same in another interview.
Yeah, like I really wanted to win a Grand Slam. I just didn’t like…I wasn’t like laying in bed at night being like, ‘I’m a failure if I don’t win one anymore’, which is two very different things. But I just feel like it’s a lot healthier to just want to win one.
Madison Keys said on WTA Insider Podcast
After the Melbourne Slam, Keys, now back as No.7 in the WTA rankings, has been forced to pull out of the ATX Open in Texas as a consequence of winning the Australian Open. After lifting the Adelaide International and Australian Open, Keys was denied entry at the ATX Open because only one top-10 player can play in the 250-level tournaments.
As per an official statement by the ATX Open organizers, when they signed an agreement with Keys, she was ranked No.21. Compatriot Jessica Pegula, ranked No.6, has already committed to the event.
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Gouri Das
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