WTA number one Sabalenka meanwhile already has three Grand Slam titles to her name, two of which have come in the last two tournaments in Melbourne.

Keys impressively took the first set 6-3 at Rod Laver Arena, with Sabalenka then fighting back to win the second 6-2.

Sabalenka’s ability to raise her level when needed was documented before the match, and that is certainly what she did, despite eventually falling short.

Andy Roddick blown away by Aryna Sabalenka’s tactical adjustments in loss to Madison Keys

Keys was simply too strong on the day, but former world number one Andy Roddick has taken time to appreciate the efforts of the runner-up.

“She won’t get credit for it because like idiots we only give credit to someone when they win something,” he said on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast.

“Sabalenka lost this match but it doesn’t mean that she didn’t make great tactical adjustments to give herself a chance to get back into this match but nobody will ever talk about it because she lost.

READ MORE: Aryna Sabalenka says what Madison Keys did in the Australian Open final which was ‘really crazy’

“Second set, something that Sabalenka doesn’t do is get beat off the front foot. There is like one person on earth who can do that and beat her at her own game.

“Apparently that was Madison Keys today. She out Sabalenka’d Sabalenka and bullied her to the corners and play against her movement. It was brilliant.

“But Sabalenka was able to pick and choose her spots in the second set. Obviously base setting is that ‘I still have the power and I am going to use that when I need to’.

“But Sabalenka started mixing that up with high balls to Madi’s backhand to where all of a sudden Madi had to force that line one off a ball above her shoulder rather than in her pocket.

“Nobody walking around is going Sabalenka is capable of mixing up paces now. How about that progression as a player? The drop shots!

“She almost went to it too much in the third set but in the second set she started playing feel drop shots off Madi’s movement and I don’t know if that’s something she had two years ago, much less five or six. I was so impressed with the strategic decision making on both sides, it was a pleasure to watch it.”

Aryna Sabalenka mixes up game in Australian Open final against Madison Keys

Sabalenka has come on leaps and bounds in recent times, with her efforts on the court last season earning her the world number one ranking.

That came after an intriguing battle with Iga Swiatek, who had been winning Grand Slam after Grand Slam, continuing with the French Open last year.

READ MORE: Aryna Sabalenka says what she is doing ‘much better’ now compared to two years ago

But the Belarusian emerged victorious at the Australian Open and the US Open in 2024, proving her worth as a hard-court specialist.

The 2025 Australian Open was, however, all about Keys, who proved that determination is also a hugely important part of the game.

Sabalenka can, however, still be very proud of her efforts, and will no doubt be in contention for many more Australian Open titles in the years to come.

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