As the 2025 tennis season unfolds, two American tennis legends, Tracy Austin and Jim Courier, have sparked a lively debate over which WTA star had the superior year: world number one Aryna Sabalenka or the newly minted Grand Slam champion Madison Keys. Both players have delivered standout performances, with Sabalenka’s relentless consistency and Keys’ emotional Australian Open triumph defining their campaigns. After careful consideration, Austin and Courier, speaking on Tennis Channel’s coverage of the Madrid Open, unanimously agreed that Sabalenka’s “incredible year” edges out Keys’ remarkable achievement, citing the Belarusian’s sustained excellence across multiple tournaments.
Sabalenka’s 2025 has been a masterclass in dominance. The 26-year-old, who has held the world number one ranking for 36 weeks, amassed a tour-leading 31 wins, including titles at the WTA 500 in Brisbane, the Miami Open, and a record-tying third Madrid Open crown, where she defeated Coco Gauff 6-3, 7-6(3). Her runner-up finish at the Australian Open, where she fell to Keys 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, marked her third consecutive final in Melbourne, a feat not seen since Martina Hingis’ 1997-1999 three-peat. “Aryna’s year has been incredible,” Austin declared, praising her ability to “win big titles and stay at number one for so long.” Sabalenka’s aggressive baseline game, punctuated by 13 winners in the Madrid final’s second set alone, has overwhelmed opponents, though her fiery emotions surfaced in Melbourne. “I think when you get to the point of finals, it’s trophy or nothing,” she said post-match, explaining her frustration after smashing her racket following the Keys loss.
Keys, meanwhile, scripted a fairytale in Melbourne, capturing her maiden Grand Slam title at 29. The 19th seed’s path was grueling, toppling Danielle Collins, Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina, and world number two Iga Swiatek before outlasting Sabalenka in a 92-point thriller. “I have wanted this for so long,” Keys said, her voice cracking as she hugged the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup. Her victory, the third-most Grand Slam appearances (46) before a first major title, propelled her to a career-high world number seven, joining Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Emma Navarro in the WTA top 10. “Madison was incredible,” Sabalenka conceded, acknowledging Keys’ fearless tennis. Courier, emotionally invested in Keys’ journey, admitted, “Her story, all she overcame, was too touching not to root for,” but emphasized that her singular Grand Slam, despite its historic weight, didn’t match Sabalenka’s breadth of success.
Austin and Courier’s verdict hinges on Sabalenka’s versatility and consistency. Beyond her titles, she reached the Indian Wells final and posted a 33-1 record on Australian hard courts before Keys snapped her streak. “Aryna’s ability to play fearless tennis no matter the score is unique,” Keys herself noted, revealing how she emulated Sabalenka’s mentality to secure her Melbourne triumph. Austin highlighted Sabalenka’s growth on clay, where she’s now a formidable force, as evidenced by her Madrid dominance. “She’s knocking off records,” Austin said, noting Sabalenka’s 36 weeks at number one, tying her with Maria Sharapova and Austin herself. Courier added, “Madison’s win was spectacular, but Aryna’s been the player to beat all year.”
Keys’ journey, while inspiring, faced setbacks post-Melbourne. Her top-10 ranking forced her withdrawal from the ATX Open, a WTA 250 event, due to its single top-10 player rule. Injuries, a recurring challenge since her 2017 US Open final loss to Sloane Stephens, limited her to one other title in Adelaide. “The longer the wait, the sweeter the victory,” Austin tweeted, celebrating Keys’ resilience. Yet, Sabalenka’s ability to maintain peak performance across surfaces—hard, clay, and even grass, where she reached the 2024 Wimbledon semifinals—tipped the scales. “Next time I play Madison, I will bring better tennis,” Sabalenka vowed, hinting at their evolving rivalry, which Keys now leads 2-1.
As the Italian Open looms, Sabalenka remains the player to watch, with Austin and Courier predicting she could challenge Swiatek’s Roland Garros reign. Keys, meanwhile, aims to build on her Melbourne magic, her aggressive forehands and newfound confidence making her a dark horse. For now, Sabalenka’s “trophy-or-nothing” mentality and relentless pursuit of titles have earned her the nod as 2025’s standout, a testament to her unyielding drive in a season of unforgettable moments.[](https://www.thetennisgazette.com/news/jim-courier-delivers-his-opinion-on-aryna-sabalenkas-performance-in-the-australian-open-final-after-she-loses-to-madison-keys-2/)[](https://fr.tennistemple.com/actu/courier-lhistoire-de-keys-etait-trop-tou/Vm7w)[](https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/cn4z79q07ppo)
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