Keys beat Aryna Sabalenka to take home the title, having knocked out several top seeds on her way to the final.

The American star saved a match point against former world number one Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals, coming through in a third set tiebreaker, 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8).

Several other WTA Tour stars succumbed to Keys’ talents down under, as Elina Svitolina, Elena Rybakina, and Danielle Collins were all no match for the now-world number seven.

Having finally picked up a Grand Slam title at her 46th Major tournament, the big question everyone is asking is what’s next for Keys?

One former tennis star has given her answer to that question, offering the American some strong advice on what she should do next.

Sam Stosur advises Madison Keys to skip Doha and Dubai WTA 1000 events

Appearing as a guest on the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, former doubles number one Stam Stosur, gave Keys some scheduling advice.

“If I was her and could go back, I probably wouldn’t bother playing Doha if that is the next one after Abu Dhabi,” she said.

“Just take some time and enjoy, you are not going to win matches now just because you won the Australian Open.

“It doesn’t mean you now will just carry on, you still have to prepare, practice and do all the things that have got you to win the Australian Open.

“Realistically there is just not enough time and just enjoy it, who knows if she is going to win another Grand Slam, so now just really enjoy it for yourself and the people you want to enjoy it with before you get back out there.”

Keys has already withdrawn from the WTA 1000 event in Doha later this month, something that Stosur will no doubt be pleased to hear.

Stosur went on to explain why she thinks a break would do Keys some good, after such a big win in Melbourne.

“You are going to do it all again, you are going to do media and relive the Aussie Open all over again,” she said.

“Which is great and that’s going to happen no matter where you start, but just feel prepared to put in the same way.”

It’s not just Doha, however, that Stosur thinks Keys should avoid playing, as she also suggested skipping another big event in the Middle East.

“I would ditch Doha if I was her, maybe also Dubai, depending on how she is feeling,” she said.

“She might be really eager and super keen to get out there, which is great, but I would just say just be ready to actually play.”

The Doha and Dubai WTA 1000 events are scheduled for back-to-back weeks in February.

• Qatar Open (Doha) – February 9-15
• Dubai Tennis Championships – February 16-22

Has Madison Keys ever won a WTA 1000 tournament?

As it stands, Keys is set to make her return to tennis in the UAE, for the Dubai WTA 1000 event in two weeks time.

She’ll be looking to continue the fine form she showed down under, as she heads to the Middle East in search of another title.

Since her debut in 2010, Keys has participated in 80 WTA 1000 tournaments, but has lifted the trophy on just one occasion.

In 2019, Keys was a class above in Cincinnati, as she lifted the title taking down several Grand Slam winning stars.

The likes of Venus Williams, Garbine Muguruza, and Simona Halep were all beaten, as Keys eventually took the title with a win over Russian Wild Card, Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Whether the 29-year-old chooses to return in Dubai or not, she’ll certainly be hoping to win her second WTA 1000 title in 2025.

Keys is currently scheduled to return at the Dubai Tennis Championships, at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre in the UAE on February 16.

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