Madison Keys made headlines last weekend by clinching her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, marking a significant milestone in her career. However, her victory came with an unexpected consequence as the upcoming ATX Open had to cancel her entry due to a rule prohibiting more than one top-10 player from participating in a WTA 250 tournament. Despite being ranked 21st when she initially agreed to play in the tournament, Keys’ recent triumphs have propelled her to seventh in the world rankings, making her ineligible to compete alongside No. 6 Jessica Pegula.
Tournament director Christo van Rensburg expressed disappointment over the rule but praised Keys for her exceptional performance in Australia. He highlighted the ATX Open’s commitment to attracting top talent and expressed excitement for future opportunities to invite Keys to compete. The WTA’s regulation aims to ensure balanced competition across all events held during the same week, unlike the ATP, which does not have a similar restriction.
While the rule may limit star power at 250 tournaments, it serves the purpose of maintaining a competitive schedule. Despite the setback, Keys’ success at the Australian Open remains a cause for celebration, and she will undoubtedly continue to shine in future competitions.