Keys beat Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set thriller to lift the title on Rod Laver Arena, as she finally became a Grand Slam champion, in her 46th Major tournament.

The American WTA star was made to work for her maiden Slam crown, as she faced off against the very best in women’s tennis down under.

Keys beat Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals, saving a match point during another three-set battle in Australia.

Seeds Elena Rybakina, Danielle Collins, and Elina Svitolina were also beaten on her run to the title, as Keys took down several of the WTA Tour’s top stars.

Keys‘ coach and husband, Bjorn Fratangelo was a big help in Melbourne Park, as she has now revealed just how crucial he was to their Australian Open triumph.

Madison Keys says coach Bjorn Fratangelo’s ability to get messages through to her is an ‘insane talent’

Appearing as a guest on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast, Keys explained how impressive Fratangelo’s tennis mind is to former world number one Andy Roddick.

“I mean he will say when whoever won this Slam or this and that they used this racket and I’m like dude you weren’t even born, how do you know that?” she said.

“The amount of tennis knowledge in his brain is insane and I am just bopping around just like I don’t know what racket I have this week or string.

“He was a very thoughtuful player himself, he almost had too many options, because he watched everyone and was constantly fiddling with things and tinkering because he is truly a student of the game.

“If there is a definition he should be the picture next to it.”

Keys went on to praise her husband and coach for his ability to communicate, something that she considers to be an ‘insane talent’.

“I think we have started almost two years ago, we have been together for almost eight years, so we had a lot of practice with how to communicate with each other not on a tennis court and he understands me in a way that I don’t think many people do,” she said.

“So his ability to deliver a message in a way that I can hear it, depending on the moment, I think has been one of the biggest reasons we have done really well together.

“It’s the one thing I have constantly praised him for, I have always said and told anyone that will listen that his ability to communicate with me through a match, through practices, through any moments where you want to helicopter your racket to the fence, his ability to get a message through is an insane talent and I couldn’t do it.”

The world number seven is still unsure how Fratangelo is able to communicate so effectively, despite working with him for several years.

“I have no idea how he is able to do it the way that he is,” said Keys.

“I think that level of communication, I know and fully trust that whatever he is saying, he is saying it because he thinks it is going to help me.

“So it’s so easy to buy into whatever he tells me.”

Her trust in Fratangelo truly paid off at the Australian Open, as they won a Grand Slam title for the first time.

What’s next for Madison Keys after 2025 Australian Open win?

Having won the Australian Open, Keys returned to her career high of number seven in the world.

The American star will no doubt be hoping to continue to climb over the coming months, as she looks to break through into the top five for the first time.

Keys currently trails Kazakh world number five Rybakina by just over 200 points, although she could jump above her without taking to the court.

Rybakina is defending 500 points from her 2024 Abu Dhabi title win this week, and will fall below both Jessica Pegula and Keys if she fails to reach the final in the UAE this time around.

Keys herself will return to action at the Dubai Tennis Championships later this month, where she reached the quarter-finals in 2023.

If she were to improve on her result from two years ago, the American could well find herself ranked inside the world’s top five for the first time in her career.

The 2025 Dubai Tennis Championships are set to begin on February 24, at the Aviation Tennis Club Centre in Dubai, UAE.

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