Australian Open Champion Madison Keys Ineligible for ATX Open Due to Top-10 Rule

Madison Keys' rise to a career-high ranking of seventh in the world has made her ineligible to participate in the ATX Open in Austin, due to the WTA 250 event's top-10 player rule.

Madison Keys' recent rise to a career-high ranking has come with an unexpected consequence: she will no longer be participating in the ATX Open in Austin. The newly-crowned Australian Open champion had previously committed to playing in the tournament, but her newfound top-10 status has made her ineligible. According to the rules of the WTA 250 event, only one top-10 player is allowed in the draw, unless the defending champion also returns as a top-10 player.

Champion energy 📸 @Madison_Keys #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/23wQJh6Q7L

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2025

Keys' impressive performance at the Australian Open, where she defeated top seeds Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka to claim her first Grand Slam title, propelled her to a career-high ranking of seventh in the world. However, this achievement has ultimately led to her exclusion from the ATX Open. Tournament director Christo van Rensburg expressed his disappointment, stating, “We love Madison and have been anticipating for months the excitement of her playing here in Austin for the first time.”

I did it

📸 @AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/v33bMm1uKo

— Madison Keys (@Madison_Keys) January 25, 2025

Van Rensburg acknowledged that the tournament respects the rules of the WTA, despite wishing that the top-10 rule did not apply to their event. He added, “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.” Keys' Australian Open victory marked a significant milestone in her career, coming in her 46th Grand Slam appearance. She had previously reached only one other Grand Slam final, at the US Open in 2017.