Madison Keys says she kept telling herself to be brave down the stretch of a tight third set in the Australian Open final against two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

Madison Keys has been through her fair share of gut-wrenching losses and injuries over her 15-year career. But her hard work and earnest perseverance was finally rewarded in spades at the.

Madison Keys’ Grand Slam window wasn’t just closing. It had been slammed shut. She has always been an excellent player, but it felt like women’s tennis had passed her by. Far from her peak in 2017, when she was ranked No.