Did you really think I’d miss an opportunity to talk about 2025 Australian Open champion Maddison Keys?
I have followed her career for so long, from her debut at the 2013 Australian Open to her crushing defeat to Sloane Stephens in the 2017 US Open final.
Anyone who watches Maddison Keys play knows how hard she hits the ball. Few on the tour have as big a forehand or backhand as her, and she’s got a powerful serve too. But others will also point out that she frequently crumbled when facing the biggest moments in her career (too many major quarterfinals and semifinals to count).
And then Keys put in one of the greatest runs this sport has ever seen, defeating World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 2-6 7-5 in the final, outhitting the hardest-hitting player in the WTA.
That came after wins against world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, No. 28 Elena Svitolina, No. 6 Elena Rybakina and No. 10 Danielle Collins. Her average opponent was ranked somewhere between 12.3, making this the toughest stretch for a major champion in modern history.
For Keys, a protoge of Lindsey Davenport, the biggest factor was a change in mindset. During her post-match presser, Keys said she learnt to be happy with a career that didn’t hinge on winning a major.
We saw that freedom with which she played not just in this fortnight, but in her warm-up tournament as well. defeating World No. 6 Jessica Pegula in the final of the Adelaide International.
That means Keys is 5-0 against top 10 players this year (4-0 during the Aussie Open) as she reclaims her career-high ranking of 7. I couldn’t be more thrilled to see Keys lift the trophy on the same stage where she made her breakthrough more than a decade ago. It’s long overdue.
Fitzie’s track of the day: Who Needs You?, by Queen
And now for your links:
Dan KP: “Tottenham ARE in a relegation fight and history shows Daniel Levy should be worried”
Alasdair Gold: “What Ange Postecoglou needs this week to save his Tottenham job”
The Guardian: “Levy wants under-fire Postecoglou to plot course through Spurs’ storm”
Jay Harris ($$): “How long can Tottenham let this go on for?”
BBC: “Referee Coote hid sexuality for fear of abuse”