Madison Keys Credits Team for Supporting Her to Australian Open Victory

Australian Open champion Madison Keys reveals how her husband's advice helped her make changes and overcome injuries to achieve her dream.

Madison Keys Praises Husband-Coach After Australian Open Victory

Madison Keys paid a heartfelt tribute to her coach and husband, Bjorn Fratangelo, after winning her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open on Saturday. At 29 years old, Keys has finally achieved her dream of claiming a major title, and she couldn't have done it without Fratangelo's guidance. “I feel like this is the best honeymoon ever. This is perfect,” a beaming Keys said, still basking in the glory of her triumph.

From one champion to another.@madison_keys 🤝 @SabalenkaA#AO2025 pic.twitter.com/fuqomxMRJl

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2025

Keys' Journey to Victory

Keys' path to victory was not an easy one. She battled injuries and self-doubt last year, which forced her to curtail her season early in October. However, she found solace in her personal life, getting married to Fratangelo during that time. Now, she has emerged stronger and more determined than ever, with Fratangelo by her side. The former teen prodigy, who first won a WTA match at just 14 years old, has finally achieved her dream of winning a major title.

Fratangelo's Reluctant Coaching Role

Keys revealed that Fratangelo didn't even want to coach her initially, but she eventually convinced him to take on the role. “I have the most supportive, best husband in the entire world, who didn't even want to coach me,” Keys said in a post-match interview on Channel Nine TV. “And I was like, please, please come with me. So it took some arm-twisting, and he has just been the most supportive, and he's fully believed in me every step of the way.”

Madison Keys Credits Team for Supporting Her Through Tough Times

Madison Keys, the fourth-oldest first-time winner of a major since the Open Era began in 1968, paid tribute to her team for their unwavering support throughout her journey. Keys overcame formidable challenges from top seeds Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek in the semi-final and final, respectively. “I have absolutely the greatest team,” Keys said. “They have really believed in me in the moments that I didn't believe in myself. They helped me completely rebuild after some pretty gnarly injuries last year.”

Madi's going to need to clear some space on the mantle!@Madison_keys • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/p0cksGUPTx

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2025

Team's Support Helps Keys Overcome Self-Doubt and Injuries

Keys acknowledged that her team's support was instrumental in helping her overcome self-doubt and injuries that threatened to derail her career. “And if it wasn't for those three people who have been cheering me on all week through all of the three-set matches, I wouldn't be here,” she said. Keys' victory marks her 12th consecutive unbeaten match, a streak that includes her triumph at the Adelaide International two weeks ago. As a result, she will rise to world number seven, equalling her career-best ranking from 2016.

Injuries Force Keys to Make Changes and Listen to Her Husband's Advice

Keys reflected on how the injuries she suffered last year forced her to make changes to her approach and listen to her husband's advice. “I think dealing with some of the injuries that I dealt with last year really kind of forced me into some changes,” she said. “It made me kind of have to stop being stubborn and listen to my husband. It pushed me to get a little bit uncomfortable and be okay with that. And I feel like buying into that just set me up to start playing some really good tennis.”

Crowning of a new AO champion 👑 @madebygoogle #Sponsored #CourtsideMagic with @Madison_Keys after her Melbourne triumph!#Pixel9 Pro pic.twitter.com/9CwmmCOIsx

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2025