"I didn't know if I was going to be able to do it again": From injury hell to Grand Slam success for miraculous Madison Keys

From injury hell to Grand Slam success, Madison Keys until today was perhaps the biggest name not to win a Grand Slam title and was the fourth oldest ever to win one for the first time in the Open Era claiming the Australian Open.

It has been a long road for Keys who reached the 2017 US Open final but never returned to Grand Slam contention until now. She has battled hamstring issues retiring tearful after WImbledon. But it has been a few months of real joy after getting married to her coach and husband Bjorn Fratangelo and now becoming a Grand Slam champion.

It was also one of the hardest runs ever for a Grand Slam defeating Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina, Iga Swiatek and now Aryna Sabalenka in the final.

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Marvellous Madison Keys claims maiden Grand Slam title after incredible Australian Open final win over Aryna Sabalenka

"Firstly bear with me, there is no way I get through this without tears," said Keys. "Aryna - unbelievable play, I’m glad I finally got you back! (referencing 2023 US Open)."

"Unbelievable tennis, you are so tough to play and we always have the craziest matches. Congratulations to you and your team for an amazing Grand Slam run.

"Thank you to everyone who came out and cheered the last two weeks. I always feel so at home here. I made my first Slam semi-final here, so now to have won my first Grand Slam here means so much to me.

"Thank you to my team ... and this is where I’m going to cry. I have wanted this for so long, I have been to one other Grand Slam final and it did not go my way and I didn’t know if I’d ever get back to this position to try and win a trophy again.

"But my team believed in me every step of the way, so thank you so much. Last year was so tough with some really bad injuries and I didn’t know if I was going to be able to do it again, so to be here with the trophy and to do it with my husband, who is dazed and confused over there...!

"I just want to say thank you so much, I am so appreciative to every single person who helped me continue to believe in myself, helped me push on to achieve this dream and I cannot wait to see you all next year."

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