“I’ve wanted this for so long,” said an elated Madison Keys with a smile of satisfaction on her face after becoming a Grand Slam champion at Rod Laver Arena last month. The 29-year-old American defied all odds this season in Melbourne. Before the event, she was hardly even anyone’s top four to win the coveted Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup. However, her dominant run and a consistent performance against the likes of Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina, Iga Swiatek, and then Aryna Sabalenka proved that she deserved to hold the Major trophy down under. Keys’ success was so unexpected that it even left a former Aussie WTA icon “super impressed”.

In an episode of the Rennae Stubbs podcast, dated February 5, 2011 US Open winner Samantha Stosur showered praising words on Keys’ maiden Slam victory. She could relate to this milestone in more ways than one. Stosur also similarly clinched her first Major, more than a decade ago. And it was against none other than 23-time Grand Slam queen Serena Williams. Before her campaign at the Flushing Meadows, Stosur had missed out on clinching a Major, in 2010’s French Open final. But in 2011’s US Open, she probably played the best tennis of her life, especially in the title clash. In what was touted as the biggest upset back then, Stosur outperformed the former World No.1 and won in straight sets with a score line of 6-2, 6-3.

Keys’ story is almost similar to Stosur’s. Before this year’s Australian Open, she also missed out on winning a Major back in 2017. During the US Open final, she lost against compatriot Sloane Stephens. But after seven years, she turned her Slam dream into a reality, defeating World No.1 Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 at Rod Laver Arena. Reflecting on Keys’ outstanding feat, Stosur said, “I was so happy for her.” She even mentioned that she didn’t expect Keys to be in the final in the first place. But the American proved her wrong. Stosur became a fan of her when she outplayed former World No.1 Swiatek in the SF round. That was the moment Stosur was compelled to believe that Madison Keys “has got a great shot here. I was super impressed with the way she fought through that match”

Against Swiatek, Keys managed to hold her nerves. Both the players performed remarkably but Keys emerged victorious in the end. After trailing in the first set, she fought back strongly and beat the Pole 5-7, 6-1, 7-6(8). “Like she absolutely deserved that semifinal. And after seeing her play like that going into the final, it was like, okay, I think this is sort of meant to be for her.” Then throwing light on the AO final, Stosur mentioned that it was “incredible to watch” Keys overpowering Sabalenka.

Undoubtedly, the victory in Melbourne was special for the 29-year-old. And it became evident from her post-match reaction. What did the women’s singles champion say about her dream run down under?

Madison Keys eager to clinch more Grand Slams after Australian Open glory

Following her hard-earned and long-awaited Slam win, Madison Keys couldn’t control her emotions. While describing the moment of being a Major winner, she said, “I made my very first Grand Slam semifinal here in Melbourne, so to now have won my first Grand Slam in the same place means the absolute world to me.” reported Australian Open’s website on January 26.

“I have been in one other Grand Slam final and it did not go my way and I didn’t didn’t know if I was ever going to be able to get back to this position to try to win a trophy,” she added. Now that she’s accomplished her biggest dream, Keys “cannot wait for more”

However, now it seems avid fans will have to wait to see her in action again. But why? Just when everyone was waiting to witness her back on the court this month, it was revealed on Thursday that Keys had pulled her name from the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships.

The World No.7 was suffering from a persistent leg injury, as reported by WTA’s website on February 6. Speaking of her experience in Dubai, she’s played there only twice. Her best performance in the event came in 2023. In that season, she made it to the QF round of the tournament.

Hopefully, the AO queen will soon make it to the court in 2025. Do you think she will be able to have a timely recovery? Let us know in the comments below.