“Needed to Chill Df Out”: Amidst Star-Studded Shoutouts From Billie Jean King and Taylor Townsend, Madison Keys Celebrates a Quiet Birthday

At the end of the day, it’s your other half that matters most in this world, right? For Madison Keys, that rings true as she hits the big 3-0. The 2025 Australian Open champion just celebrated her 30th birthday on Monday. Currently in Dubai for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship, she had to withdraw last minute due to a right leg injury. Fortunately, she’s surrounded by all the love she needs. While her American friends on tour are supportive, her biggest support system is her husband and coach, Bjorn Fratangelo. They’re not just celebrating a major title together; they seem to be achieving all their goals while bringing the party home!

Although she isn’t competing alongside the rest of the WTA crew this week, Keys isn’t too down about it. How could she be? Celebrating her birthday in the UAE is certainly a perk, especially after missing recent events due to her new ranking. After winning the AO title against Aryna Sabalenka in January, the World No. 7 skipped the ATX Open because of a WTA rule limiting top 10 players at 250-level events and also missed the Qatar Open and Abu Dhabi Open.

In the meantime, she’s received heartfelt birthday wishes from friends and tennis legends alike! Her pal Taylor Townsend couldn’t hold back from celebrating Madison’s big day at the Aviation Club Tennis Centre yesterday. She posted on her story, “Madi was telling me how I was stressing her out and I needed to chill df out she’s wise beyond her years Happiest birthday to my bookie @madisonkeys .” The video shared captured Madison advising Townsend to “just breathe” as they laughed together. Billie Jean King also reached out with a birthday wish for Keys, sharing a photo of them with two-time Academy Award-winning actress Emma Stone and writing, “Happiest of birthdays to the 2025 Australian Open Women’s Singles champion, @madisonkeys! ” Isn’t that sweet? While Madison appreciates all this love greatly, there’s one special love that ended her day.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 10: Madison Keys of the United States celebrates winning her quarter final match against Danielle Collins of the United States during day five of the 2020 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 10, 2020 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

In her latest Instagram story, she shared pictures of a half-eaten white and purple frosted bento cake. Another picture featured the same cake adorned with ‘30’ candles alongside her husband Fratangelo. Though left uncaptioned, it seems they enjoyed a laidback celebration in their hotel room in Dubai. This might be just what Keys needed amid a whirlwind of hectic tennis schedules and travel.

The couple has known each other for most of their lives. They were best friends before announcing their relationship in 2017. During her 2023 season, Bjorn proposed to Madison in March after she returned from Dubai in a low-key yet romantic manner.

Bjorn’s lowkey proposal to Madison Keys at home

Madison Keys’ journey to love and success has been quite the story! It all began when she moved to Boca Raton in 2005, meeting Bjorn Fratangelo the following year. Their bond deepened as they both relocated to Orlando, even sharing an apartment complex. By 2017, their friendship had blossomed into romance. In 2023, their relationship took an exciting turn when Madison faced a coaching dilemma after Roland Garros. Seeking support, she turned to Bjorn asking him to be her coach and marking the start of their professional partnership.

Coincidentally, after years of love and countless sweet Instagram moments, Madison and Bjorn also got engaged in March 2023. Madison shared the delightful details of the proposal: “He actually did it at home. The day that I got back from Dubai so I was not expecting it at all. I was sitting on the couch and he was like, ‘Hey I have your birthday present.’ He handed me something and then got down on one knee. Just sitting on the couch so now we have to keep the couch forever.”

Fast forward to November 2024, and the couple celebrated their love with a star-studded wedding, with Jessica Pegula, Taylor Townsend, and Sloane Stephens in attendance. Then came the 2025 Australian Open, where Madison clinched her first major title! After defeating Aryna Sabalenka, she exclaimed, “I feel like this is the best honeymoon ever. This is perfect.”

“I have the most supportive, best husband in the entire world,” Madison shared after lifting the trophy. Now, as they head towards their next tournament, Madison and Bjorn are all about celebrating every milestone together, both on and off the court, as a winning team in life and love!

The post “Needed to Chill Df Out”: Amidst Star-Studded Shoutouts From Billie Jean King and Taylor Townsend, Madison Keys Celebrates a Quiet Birthday appeared first on EssentiallySports.