"If Madison Keys doesn't win, I'm gonna feel responsible" - Sam Querrey reveals amusing incident ahead of Australian Open final

Sam Querrey recently shared a humorous anecdote involving Madison Keys ahead of the 2025 Australian Open final. This marks Keys' second time advancing to a Grand Slam final, with her first being at the 2017 US Open where she lost to compatriot Sloane Stephens.

During a recent appearance on the 'Nothing Major' podcast this week, Sam Querrey shared a lighthearted story about how he accidentally FaceTimed Madison Keys to congratulate her on her semifinal win over Swiatek.

“Funny side story on this, when I woke up, while I was watching highlights, I saw that Keys won. I go on my phone to text Madison, I actually hit the FaceTime button. I panic and hang up. My wife is like, ‘Who you FaceTiming?’ I actually just FaceTimed Keys. She's like, ‘You idiot!’ I hung up real quick,” Querrey said.

The former ATP pro then added that Madison Keys called him back, where he apologized for the accidental call.

“Madison then FaceTimes me back. I get the thing back. She FaceTimes me back. I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh! It’s 2:15 AM. It was like, I answer, and I'm like, ‘Hi Madison! I’m so sorry, I meant to text you. Like I’m an idiot. I hope I didn’t wake you up.’ So then I hang up ‘cause I’m panicking still. Then I text her like, ‘I’m so stupid. I just went like total like old man move and actually like FaceTimed you.’ She's like, ‘No problem like good luck’ and she texts me back,” he continued.

Sam Querrey mentioned that the call occurred around 2:15 am, which worried him that this call might have disrupted Keys' sleep before the final. He jokingly stated that he would feel responsible if Madison Keys didn't win the 2025 Australian Open title.

“But now I’m worried that it was like 2:15 AM and she was trying to sleep and like did she maybe not get a good night of sleep? If she doesn’t win the tournament now, I’m gonna feel like I’m responsible for her not getting a proper night of sleep. What an idiot move for me but kudos to Madison Keys, she picked up my FaceTime. Who would have thought? Like I’m a nobody, you're in a final of a Slam,” Sam Querrey added.

Keys is seeded 19th at the Melbourne Major and she secured victories over Ann Li, Elena-Gabriela Ruse, Danielle Collins, and Elena Rybakina in the first four rounds. The American then went on to defeat Elina Svitolina and Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, to secure her spot in the final.

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Madison Keys will face Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the 2025 Australian Open

Madison Keys at the 2025 Australian Open [Image Source: Getty Images]

Madison Keys will take on the double-defending champion and top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the 2025 Australian Open on Sunday. Sabalenka claimed her first Melbourne Major in 2023 by defeating Elena Rybakina in the final and then successfully defended her title in 2024 by triumphing over Zheng Qinwen.

This year, Sabalenka kicked off her campaign at the Australian Major with wins over Sloane Stephens and Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. The World No.1 then defeated Clara Tauson and Mirra Andreeca in the third and fourth rounds, respectively.

In the quarterfinals, Sabalenka faced Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. She then went on to defeat Paula Badosa in the semifinals to secure her spot in the final against Keys.

Madison Keys and Aryna Sabalenka have met five times on the WTA Tour, with the Belarusian emerging victorious in four of those encounters. Their most recent match was the fourth round of the 2024 China Open, where Sabalenka claimed a 6-4, 6-3 win.