The Australian Open women’s tournament will have a fitting conclusion this weekend as history is set to be made in one way or another. World No. 1 and two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will square off against Madison Keys in a clash of the heavyweights. Here’s what you need to know before the showpiece event.
1. Sabalenka Gunning For Rare Three Peat
Aryna Sabalenka can make history and join a pantheon of tennis greats to win the Australian Open for three consecutive years.
If she lifts the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup on Saturday, Sabalenka will become the first woman this century to complete the Melbourne three-peat.
She will also join WTA legends Margaret Court (1969-1971), Evonne Goolagong (1974-1976), Steffi Graf (1988-1990), Monica Seles (1991-1993), and Martina Hingis (1997-1999) in achieving this rare feat in the Open Era.
Remarkably, Sabalenka can also win three successive hard-court Grand Slams. This was last achieved by Hingis who won the Australian Open and US Open in 1997 and the 1998 Australian Open.
2. Sabalenka Secures World No. 1 Ranking
There was the possibility that the No.1 ranking would change hands at the end of the Australian Open. But that was largely dependent on Sabalenka’s progress in the tournament.
The Belarusian held her side of the bargain. By reaching the final and coupled with Iga Swiatek’s semifinal defeat, she is guaranteed to remain World No. 1 after the fortnight.
3. Eight-Year Gap Between First And Second Grand Slam Final Is Longest In WTA History
This will be Madison Keys’ second Grand Slam final appearance. Her first was at the 2017 US Open when she lost in the all-American final against Sloane Stephens.
It has since taken 25 Grand Slam appearances spanning eight years before she made it to her second final. She shattered the previous record of seven held by Amelie Mauresmo.
4. Keys Can Conquer World No. 1 and World No. 2 In Same Grand Slam
Keys’ sensational semifinal upset of Swiatek was a career highlight worthy of everyone’s attention. But should she beat Sabalenka on Saturday, she’ll chart her name in the record books. The last woman to beat the top two players in the world in the same Grand Slam tournament was Svetlana Kuznetsova at the 2009 French Open.
5. Keys Aiming To Join Late-Blooming First-Time Major Winners
Madison Keys turns 30 next month, so she could join a rarefied list of oldest first-time Grand Slam champions. That list is headed by Flavia Pennetta, who won the 2014 US Open at 33. Second on the list is also another Italian. Francesca Schiavone won the 2010 French Open at 29 years and 346 days. If Keys is successful in winning her first Grand Slam, she’ll be third on the list, trailing Schiavone by a matter of days.
6. Highest Prize Money In Australian Open History
The tournament announced a record AUD $96.5 million in total prize money for this year’s edition, which is an all-time high for the Australian Open. The champion will take home AUD $3,500,000 (roughly USD $2,200,000), while the runner-up will receive AUD $1,900,000 (roughly USD $1,195,000).
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
