Madison Keys wins Australian Open title beating Aryna Sabalenka to claim first Grand Slam

If she can play consistently like that, I mean, there’s not much you can do,

Sabalenka admitted

Madison Keysamerican

I was starting to be a little bit more clear-headed and present on court,

Keys said

Madison Keysamerican

I honestly think that had I not done that, then I wouldn’t be sitting here,

Keys said

Madison Keysamerican

I think winning the other night against Iga was a big hurdle where I felt like… I always believed that I could do it, but to do it that way, I thought to myself after the match that I can absolutely win,

Keys said

I just feel like it’s one of those things that slowly keeps building,

she said

Everything happens for a reason, I kind of had to go through some tough things,

she said

I helped with his footwork and him being able to move under control and know when to speed it up and know when to slow down and how to slow down properly."

He added

Of course, I have to be proud of myself with three finals in a row,

she said

I had done it before, but it had always been, I think, too sports-specific,

she said

It's something I will continue to do for the rest of my life,

she said

Madison Keysamerican

You and Bjorn, you got married in November. You described it as the best weekend of your life. He's not in earshot now - how does that [the win] compare?”

he asked Keys, fresh off the back of her triumph

I've been a little bit shocked this week with how players have been treated by the broadcasters,

he said after reaching the last four

I was going to absolutely be okay if I played how I wanted to and she beat me. If that’s how it happens, then no problem,

she said

Honestly, my only goal was to make sure that I played how I wanted to play, and not have any regret,

she said on Channel 9.

Madison Keysamerican

I have wanted this for so long, ... and I have been in one other Grand Slam final, and it didn't go my way, and I didn't know if I was going to get back in this position."

said Keys, who was born in Illinois and now is based in Florida

Madison: Wow, what a tournament,

Sabalenka said during the on-court ceremony, in which she also joked with her entourage that the defeat was their fault

As always, that’s your fault, guys. I don’t want to see you for the next week. I really hate you!”

Sabalenka said with a laugh

It’s OK. I mean, I’m the one who knows that after tough losses, there is good wins,

Sabalenka said

I just needed to throw those negative emotions at the end, just so I could give a speech (and) not stand there being disrespectful,

Sabalenka added

There definitely was a bit of frustration because I was so close to achieve something crazy,

she said