By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday January 29, 2025
Madison Keys has been ruled out of the ATX Open in Austin due to her Top-10 ranking. Strange as it sounds, it’s true.
The tournament announced the news on its website today, stating that Keys, fresh off her maiden major title at the Australian Open, had been ruled out.
“As a 250-level tournament, the ATX Open is permitted to feature just one Top 10 player unless the defending champion returns as a Top 10 ranked player,” the tournament said in a statement. “Only in that circumstance could two Top 10 players compete in our tournament. This helps to ensure balanced competition across all WTA events held during the same week.
“With World No. 6 Jessica Pegula already committed to the event, WTA rules prevent us from having a second Top 10 player in the draw. When we entered an agreement with Madison, her ranking was World No. 21. Now with her title wins in both Adelaide and Melbourne, her ranking has moved to World No. 7. As a result of her new ranking, Madison will, unfortunately, not be able to compete in this year’s ATX Open.”
Tournament Director Christo van Rensburg also gave her thoughts on the unfortunate 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,” she 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.”
The ATX Open will be held from February 22 to March 2 in Austin.
