Why Lindsay Davenport's 2-word reaction to Madison Keys' Australian Open win means the world to the American

Madison Keys’ historic win against the World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in three sets has gathered widespread attention from the tennis community as she was not the favorite heading into the final.

But the most important comment came from her former coach and three-time Grand Slam champion, Lindsay Davenport.

The American legend shared a heartfelt message on X (formerly known as Twitter) for Keys, which encapsulated her pride and admiration in two words:

"No words"

Tennis journalist Jose Morgado, a renowned name in the tennis world, also mentioned the importance of Davenport's message to her fellow American. Morgado wrote:

“One of the most important persons in Madi's career.”

The strong bond shared by the two American tennis players is known to the entire tennis fraternity. Talking about Davenport’s role in her life as her coach, Keys once said to 'The Players Tribune' in an interview in May, 2015:

"The biggest turning point in my tennis career has been having Lindsay as a coach."

The statement underscores the respect and admiration Madison Keys has for her idol.

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Lindsay Davenport and Madison Keys' player-coach journey

Madison Keys at the 2015 Australian Open - Source: Getty

During Lindsay Davenport’s tenure as Madison Key’s coach, the latter achieved great heights, including her first breakthrough when she entered the semifinals of the 2015 Australian Open by defeating some of the tournament's top players- Petra Kvitova and Venus Williams. She eventually lost her semifinal against Serena Williams. She even entered the WTA Top 10 in 2016. Ultimately, she achieved a career-high ranking in October 2016 by becoming the World No. 7.

Even though the coaching journey was a success, it was short-lived due to Davenport deciding to prioritize her family. They briefly united again in 2018, wherein Keys, through Davenport's support and guidance, entered two more Grand Slam semifinals- the French and the US Open. After this, their formal coaching contract ended, but that did not hinder their bond, and the former World No. 1 continues to guide the newly crowned Australian Open champion.

Keys has even credited her renewed mindset and mental toughness to lessons she has learned from her former coach, particularly in regards to dealing with expectations and handling pressure in big matches.

Their relationship is not just limited to just a coach and player; it's more than that. The American legend’s influence on Keys has been significant, and one can say that some credit can be given to Davenport for the American’s first long-awaited Grand Slam title.