Madison Keys Forced To Withdraw From Tournament Because Of Controversial WTA Rule
News
The newly-crowned 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys was scheduled to compete on home soil in February at the 2025 ATX Open in Texas. However, that is no longer possible because of a divisive WTA rule.
Keys defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian open final after a dramatic battle that contained much powerful hitting from both women. The American got a decisive break in the final set to triumph 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.
That sealed Keys' maiden Grand Slam. Because of her efforts at the Australian Open, she also returned to the Top 10 and equaled her career-high ranking of No. 7, jumping from No. 14.
However, re-entering the Top 10 means Keys cannot compete at this year's ATX Open, scheduled for February 24th until March 2nd. The tournament has WTA 250 status, and there are strict entry rules for those events.
WTA 250 tournaments cannot have more than one Top 10 player in the draw. World No. 6 Jessica Pegula has already signed up for the event, meaning Keys must give up her place, whether she wants to or not.
Exceptions are not made for players like Keys, who agreed to play at the tournament when outside the Top 10 but then attained superb results to return among the 10 best women's players.
The ATX Open tournament director, Christo Van Rensburg, expressed disappointment that Keys could not compete in Texas but made it clear that the American's incredible success at the Australian Open and her ranking improvement is to be celebrated.
"Every year the ATX Open strives to bring some of the top women’s players in the world to Austin to compete in our tournament. This year is no exception. 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."
"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."
Many oppose the WTA's limit on the number of Top 10 players who can compete in WTA 250 events. The approach contrasts with the ATP, which places no such limit on its 250 events, even if a 500-level tournament is held during the same week.
The WTA's rules are an attempt to have as many top-ranked players as possible participating in WTA 500 tournaments. Those in charge of governing women's tennis believe this is the best approach for growing the game.
That approach is understandable in some ways, but a strong argument can also be made that weakening WTA 250s harms women's tennis and that it would be better to try to have two strong tournaments each week.
The WTA has also had trouble filling the calendar in the past, and restrictions on players entering WTA 250s could exacerbate that issue.
