Madison Keys reveals all the background and hardships she had to endure before her ‘amazing’ Australian Open triumph
Madison Keys had not made a Grand Slam final before the Australian Open 2025 since the 2017 US Open, where she lost to Sloane Stephens.
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Madison Keys (via X)
American tennis star Madison Keys won her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in a hard-fought journey. The American player stood out in the women’s singles draw, overcoming tough challenges to finally achieve this milestone.
For many years, it seemed unlikely that Keys would win a major title. She has dealt with numerous injuries and painful losses in her career. This was her 46th main draw appearance in a Grand Slam, and many believed her chances had passed.
It feels amazing and I’m very glad that it happened this way. When I was younger, I had the feeling that I had to win one so I can’t be called a failure. I had lots of doubts, so I wanted to win one. I had to do a lot of work to get past that. I had to do a lot of therapy. It was surprising to me to see some of the things that were coming up that I said previously. So I couldn’t believe that I had such belief back in a day. However, looking back at those things gave me the belief on the court. I was so proud of my career already and I didn’t need to win a Grand Slam to validate that.
Madison Keys said in an interview with CBS Mornings
Keys had previously reached only one Grand Slam final, losing to Sloane Stephens at the 2017 US Open. She also had several near-misses, coming close but falling short in crucial matches.
Madison Keys' interview wtih CBS Mornings:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 28, 2025
“I was so proud of my career already and I didn’t need to win a Grand Slam to validate that.” ❤
American tennis thriving.
You love to see it. pic.twitter.com/9gY6WiAPlf
Before this Australian Open victory, Keys had lost two semifinals in Melbourne, one at the French Open, and two more at the US Open. Despite those setbacks, she kept pushing and finally lifted her first major trophy.
Madison Keys’ team revealed
Madison Keys had an incredible Australian swing, winning two titles, including her first Grand Slam at the Australian Open. Her husband, Bjorn Fratangelo, leads her coaching team. Other key members, Kayla Fujimoto Epperson and Reshard Langford, have also been crucial in helping Keys return to the top.
Fratangelo’s transition from player to coach has been well-documented. He reached a career-high ranking of No. 99 in 2016 before retiring in 2023. Soon after, he began coaching Keys, who he started dating in 2017 and married in November 2024. The partnership quickly found success.
Epperson, a tennis physiotherapist, joined Keys’ team after working with Jennifer Brady on the WTA Tour. She has been a constant presence in Keys’ camp for the past two years, playing a key role in maintaining her physical health.
Langford, a certified strength and conditioning specialist, has also been vital to Keys’ fitness. A former NFL player who worked with teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, Langford has over a decade of experience with the USTA. He also helped Ben Shelton before his rise in tennis.
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Fahad Hamid
(679 Articles Published)