"You take the majors": Two former world number ones pick Madison Keys year ahead of Aryna Sabalenka
WTA
Former world number one Tracy Austin and Jim Courier have
picked Madison Keys’ year ahead of Aryna Sabalenka. Both players have had a
relatively successful season. Keys has won the only Grand Slam this year as she
lifted the Australian Open after beating the 26-year-old in the final with a score
of 6-3, 2-6, 7-5. Before that, the 30-year-old lifted the Adelaide
International after beating fellow American Pegula in the final with a score of
6-3, 4-6, 6-1.
Ever since lifting the Grand Slam title, Keys has not played
in the final of any event. Her best outing came at the Indian Wells, where she
was knocked out after losing in the semifinal to Sabalenka in straight sets
with a score of 6-0, 6-1.
On the other hand, Sabalenka, after losing that final, has
featured in four more finals this year, where she won twice and suffered defeats
in the other two. She suffered a defeat in the final of the Indian Wells to
Russia’s Mirra Andreeva with a score of 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. She then lost in the
final of the Stuttgart Open to Latvia’s Jeļena Ostapenko in straight sets with
a score of 6-4, 6-1.
Sabalenka lifted the Miami Open after beating America’s Pegula
in the final in straight sets with a score of 7-5, 6-2. Most recently, she lifted
the Madrid Open after beating America’s Coco Gauff in the final in straight
sets with a score of 6-3, 7-6.
Former world number one Austin and Courier were asked about which player’s year they would like to take, and surprisingly, both of them picked Keys' year by claiming that any player would take ‘majors’. “I would take Madi Keys,” said Austin while
speaking on TC Live. “I would too,” said Courier while agreeing Austin. “They
are both fantastic but you take the majors!”
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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