2025 Australian Open: Keys Unlocks Redemption

Photo Courtesy: The Pocket Rocket via Flickr

Continuity was somewhat of a theme at this year’s Australian Open. Defending singles champions Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner both reached the final (with Sinner ultimately defending his title) whilst Alexander Zverev, arguably the most accomplished player to never win a grand slam, once again fell at the final hurdle. 

Continuity would have been an inexact description at the beginning of the men’s tournament, however, as three teenagers dazzled in the opening rounds; 18-year-old João Fonseca upset world number nine Andrey Rublev, world number six Casper Ruud was dismissed by Czech youngster Jakub Menšík, and last year’s runner-up Daniil Medvedev succumbed to 19-year-old Learner Tien in a late night thriller.

Yet familiar faces took centre stage for the remainder of the tournament. At thirty-eight years young, Gaël Monfils knocked out US Open finalist Taylor Fritz, whilst twenty-four-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic rallied from a set down to upset Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. The victory was all the more remarkable considering Djokovic’s physical issues, which ultimately led him to withdraw from his semifinal with Zverev – much to the chagrin of the crowd. Djokovic’s latest trip down under may be best remembered by the appearance of Andy Murray in his coaching box. The partnership’s announcement stunned the tennis world late last year, but both have remained tight-lipped on whether it will continue.

With his straight sets defeat of world no. 2 Zverev in the final, Sinner solidified his status as the best player on the men’s tour. Yet questions remain over his future, with the Italian facing a possible ban from the sport this April. None would likely benefit more from Sinner’s exclusion than Zverev, who now stands as a three-time runner-up in grand slams. 

Whilst the theme of continuity rang true for most of AO25, one woman ensured it was not ubiquitous. Just shy of her thirtieth birthday, Madison Keys achieved a long-awaited first grand slam title by defeating the two-time defending champion in a thrilling final, denying history for Sabalenka in the process (who fell just short of becoming the first woman since 1999 to pull off the Aussie three-peat).

Keys, who was making her first appearance in a major final since the 2017 US Open Final, in which she won just three games, finally made good on expectations that have loomed since her pre-teenage years. It proved particularly fitting that Sabalenka was stood on the other side of the net, considering the Belarussian had defeated Keys in the 2023 US Open semifinal, a match the American had served for.

Whilst Keys entered this year’s tournament off a title run in Adelaide, even her most ardent supporters would have balked at the idea of her capturing the title in Melbourne, especially considering that the top two players in the world stood in her way. Yet, Keys was not to be denied; her semifinal victory over Iga Światek saw her save a match point before the American rewrote her story by toppling the world number one to lift the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup, seemingly against all odds

Although this year’s Australian Open symbolised continuity in many respects, it will be remembered as the tournament of Madison Keys. Whilst eyes turn to Sinner’s impending court hearing, Zverev’s ongoing pursuit of his maiden grand slam, and Iga Światek’s quest to go four-in-a-row at Roland Garros this summer; Madison Keys’s unexpected triumph at Melbourne Park could define the 2025 tennis season.