Madison Keys is out of the ATX Open in Austin because a WTA rule is preventing her from competing in the tournament.
When the entry list for the WTA 250 tournament in Austin was released, the American tennis star’s name was on it.
But since then, Keys claimed back-to-back wins at the Adelaide International and the Australian Open, which improved her ranking from No. 21 to No. 7.
Madison Keys© Madison Keys/Instagram – Fair Use
Since world No. 6 Jessica Pegula is also on the tournament’s entry list, that meant there were two top-10 players in the player field.
But because one specific rule states that no more than one top-10 player can compete in a WTA 250-level tournament, one had to go from the event that starts on February 24th.
And since Pegula already committed to the event as a top-10 player, the reigning Australian Open champion fell off the list.
Austin tournament statement on the Keys situation
“The success of Madison in Australia, where she played legendary tennis on a world stage, is further proof that the ATX Open is attracting the best talent in the game,” tournament director Christo van Rensburg said.
“We love Madison and have been anticipating for months the excitement of her playing here in Austin for the first time. While we wish the Top 10 rule didn’t apply to our tournament, we respect the rules of the WTA.
“That said, Madison’s Grand Slam title and subsequent Top 10 world ranking are both something to celebrate. We can’t wait to invite Madison again to future ATX Opens.
“We remain very excited to welcome Jessica to her first-ever ATX Open next month. She’s eager to compete in Austin.”
For Keys, it would have been her debut at the Austin tournament.
Meanwhile, the American pulled out of the WTA 1000 tournament in Doha due to a hamstring injury – that tournament is slated to start on February 9th.
If everything goes well, she should play her first post-Australian Open tournament in Dubai, which starts on February 16th.
Tennis World USA