Madison Keys, the recently crowned Australian Open champion, can no longer compete in the upcoming WTA 250-level ATX Open due to her rise to world No. 7. Under WTA rules, a single top-10 player can only participate in lower-level tournaments unless the defending champion also has a top-10 ranking. Keys' remarkable Australian Open performance, which included victories over top-ranked players, caused her withdrawal, depriving fans in Austin of witnessing her debut at the tournament, as confirmed by the tournament director.
ATX Open tournament director Christo Van Rensburg expressed disappointment, stating, 'We love Madison and have been anticipating for months the excitement of her playing here in Austin for the first time.'
The 2025 WTA Rulebook states, 'A WTA 250 Tournament in the same week as a WTA 500 Tournament may accept only one (1) player whose WTA Singles Ranking is 1-10...'
After winning her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, Madison Keys rose to world No. 7, which made her ineligible for the ATX Open.
Keys' recent success included defeating world No. 2 Iga Swiatek and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in consecutive matches, solidifying her high rank.
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