Coach Bjorn Fratangelo Says Madison Keys is “Nowhere Near Her Full Potential”

Madison Keys secured her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the final, with her coach Bjorn Fratangelo saying she's 'nowhere near her full potential'.

Madison Keys, 29, arrived in Australia with modest expectations, aiming to gauge her performance ahead of her 30th birthday next month. However, she has far exceeded her goals, culminating in a thrilling victory over two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open final on Saturday. Keys's triumph marks her first Grand Slam title, coming eight years after her first final appearance at the US Open, where she lost to Sloane Stephens.

Keys reflected on her past experiences, including the 2014 US Open final, where she felt overwhelmed by nerves and the occasion. ”I think during that match I was so consumed with being nervous and the moment and the opportunity and all of that, that I never really gave myself a chance to actually play,” she said. However, Keys has since learned to manage her nerves and perform under pressure. “I think the big thing for me has just been knowing that there are going to be a lot of moments where I'm uncomfortable in the match. It's going to be stressful. You have thousands of people watching you.”

Thank you for all your messages and also for cheering me on and believing in me all these years ♥️

— Madison Keys (@Madison_Keys) January 26, 2025

With her Australian Open victory, Keys will return to the top 10 rankings for the first time since 2019. Her journey to the top has been marked by significant milestones, including her first semi-final appearance at Melbourne Park in 2015 as a 19-year-old prodigy. A decade later, Keys defeated world number two Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals to set up a showdown with world number one Sabalenka. The Belarusian was seeking to become the first woman to win three consecutive Melbourne titles since Martina Hingis from 1997-1999.

In a thrilling final, Keys, the 19th seed and underdog, defied expectations to clinch the title 6-3, 2-6, 7-5. Her victory marked a triumphant moment in her career, as she finally secured her first Grand Slam title. Keys's resilience and determination have paid off, and she will now look to build on this success in the future.

A New Chapter in Keys's Career

Madison Keys ended her season early in October last year and began a new chapter in her personal life by marrying her coach, Bjorn Fratangelo, a month later. The two had been dating since 2017, and Fratangelo became her coach in 2023. On the eve of the Australian Open final, Fratangelo expressed his confidence in Keys's abilities, stating, “I think she's nowhere near her full potential.” He emphasized the importance of continuous improvement, saying, “Sharpening the axe can get you so far, but sometimes you just need new tools. I think that's what I've tried to bring to the table.”

The difference between patience and persistence is your first major. Congrats @Madison_Keys on winning in Melbourne. pic.twitter.com/AE39EscqDZ

— Nike (@Nike) January 25, 2025

Both Keys and her opponent, Aryna Sabalenka, possess powerful games that can overwhelm their opponents. After losing to Keys in the semi-finals, Iga Swiatek praised Keys's “bravery” in taking big shots at critical moments. Fratangelo described Sabalenka as “a little more of the polished version of Madison.” However, he was impressed by Keys's ability to rise to the occasion, saying, “But what I've seen from her now is just what the greats do. They have the ability to raise the level when it matters most.”

Keys's Australian Open victory marked the 10th title of her career and her biggest to date. She achieved this milestone the hard way, defeating former Melbourne finalists Danielle Collins and Elena Rybakina en route to the final. Keys then came from a set down and saved a match point against world number two Swiatek in the semi-finals. Her triumph over Sabalenka in the final was a testament to her determination and resilience, making for an ideal early 30th birthday present.