From breaking down crying after US Open loss to facing Aryna Sabalenka again in Australian Open final for 1st Slam: Madison Keys' shot at redemption

Madison Keys has a shot at redemption as she gears up to face two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the 2025 Australian Open final. The American will aim to overcome the ghosts of her devastating loss to Sabalenka in the semifinals of the 2023 US Open, as she chases her maiden Grand Slam title.

After suffering a crushing 6-3, 6-0 loss to Sloane Stephens in the 2017 US Open final, Keys found herself on the brink of reaching another title clash at her home Slam in the 2023 edition of the New York Major. She squared off against second seed Aryna Sabalenka in a blockbuster semifinal clash.

Madison Keys made a flawless start to the high-profile contest, winning the opening set 6-0. Leading 5-3 in the second set, the 17th seed was just one game away from sealing her place in the final when Sabalenka mounted an incredible comeback to clinch the set in a tiebreak, forcing a decider.

The Belarusian also battled back from a 4-2 deficit in the final set to claim a remarkable 0-6, 7-6(1), 7-6(5) victory after a two-hour and 32-minute battle. Sabalenka later finished as the runner-up to Coco Gauff in the final.

Speaking to the press after her crushing loss, Madison Keys couldn't hold back her tears as she admitted how devastating it was to lose in the semifinals. Nevertheless, the American maintained a positive mindset, taking pride in her stellar campaign.

"I think everyone at the start of the tournament would obviously be really, really excited to be in the semis. Right now it sucks. But yeah, I just think being able to, you know, take this and turn it to a positive is really possible. Yeah, there is still a lot to be proud of and still tons of tennis to play this season," Madison Keys said.

Madison Keys is determined to avenge her heartbreaking loss to Aryna Sabalenka in a highly anticipated final at the 2025 Australian Open. The World No. 14 has shed light on her strategy for the title clash, disclosing how she intends to avoid the same mistakes she made in their 2023 US Open clash.

"I didn't want to be in the same situation" - Madison Keys on her intention to have no 'regrets' in Australian Open final against Aryna Sabalenka

Madison Keys - Source: Getty

Speaking to Eurosport ahead of the 2025 Australian Open final, Madison Keys lamented her "safe" approach against Aryna Sabalenka in the crucial moments of their 2023 US Open semifinal.

The American emphasized the importance of stepping outside her comfort zone to deliver her best performance so she could leave the court with her head held high even if she lost.

"I think one of the big things, after I lost to Aryna at the US Open, I felt like I tried to play safe, and I wasn't playing how I wanted to in the big moments. That felt so bad," Madison Keys said.

"I just felt like if I can go out and do what I want to do and really just, again, be uncomfortable at times and just actually go for it and continue to play the way I play my best tennis, and I lose, then I can walk away and say, 'OK, I did my best, she beat me, that's fine,'" she added.

Keys further asserted that she didn't want to find herself in the same situation of looking back on the match with any regrets.

"I didn't want to be in the same situation where I kind of looked back at it and thought, 'Man, I should have gone for it.' I didn't want to have any regrets for not really laying it all out there," she said.

In what promises to be a thrilling contest, Madison Keys will need to snap Aryna Sabalenka's 20-match Australian Open win streak and clinch her maiden Major title.