US tennis shines: Madison Keys becomes third American champion of the 2020s – surpassing last decade
WTA
Madison Keys became the third American player to win a Grand Slam title this decade, joining Sofia Kenin at the 2020 Australian Open and Coco Gauff at the 2023 US Open. This achievement stands out, considering there are already more champions this decade than in the entire previous one, and we're only halfway through the 2020s.
So far, there have been 11 female Grand Slam champions across 20 tournaments since the start of 2020, noting that Wimbledon 2020 was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. The leaders in this period are Iga Swiatek (5 titles) and Aryna Sabalenka (3).
In the 2010s, there were only two American champions among the 19 women who claimed a major title. Serena Williams dominated the decade with 12 major trophies, and the only other American to join her was Sloane Stephens, who won the 2017 US Open by defeating her friend Madison Keys.
In the 2000s, among 12 champions throughout the decade, Americans collectively won 21 titles between four players: 10 by Serena Williams, 7 by Venus Williams, 3 by Jennifer Capriati, and 1 by Lindsay Davenport.
Keys joined 13 other American female players who have won at least one Grand Slam tournament since the start of the Open Era, further extending the U.S.’s lead as the country with the most female Grand Slam champions in the last 50 years. The second spot goes to Australia, with 6 players.
Led by legends like Serena Williams, Martina Navratilova, and Chris Evert, the USA boasts 81 Grand Slam titles, far ahead of Germany, which holds 25 (22 of them from Steffi Graf and 3 from Angie Kerber).
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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