Fresh off winning her maiden Grand Slam title at the 2025 Australian Open, Madison Keys should be gearing up for a triumphant homecoming at the ATX Open in Texas. Instead, a divisive WTA rule is forcing her out of the tournament—simply because she’s too good.
The American star’s dramatic three-set victory over Aryna Sabalenka in Melbourne not only secured her place in tennis history but also catapulted her back into the Top 10 of the WTA rankings, tying her career-high at No. 7. However, this career milestone comes with an unexpected downside—she’s now ineligible to compete in the Austin-based WTA 250 event.
Why Can’t Keys Play in the ATX Open? Blame the WTA’s ‘One Top 10 Player’ Rule
The WTA’s strict entry rules for 250-level tournaments state that only one Top 10 player can compete per event. With World No. 6 Jessica Pegula already in the field, Keys is automatically barred from playing—even though she had committed before her Australian Open triumph.
There are no exceptions for players who entered the tournament while ranked outside the Top 10 but earned their way back in with strong results.
Tournament director Christo Van Rensburg expressed both disappointment and pride, acknowledging that while the WTA’s rule is frustrating, Keys’ Grand Slam win is a reason to celebrate.
ATX Open Director: “We Wish the Rule Didn’t Exist”
“Every year the ATX Open strives to bring some of the top women’s players in the world to compete in our tournament,” Van Rensburg said. “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.”
He didn’t hide the fact that the rule is a major roadblock to growing the tournament and frustrating for fans.
“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.”
Van Rensburg did leave the door open for the future, adding: “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.”
Why Does the WTA Have This Rule? And Is It Hurting the Sport?
The WTA’s controversial restriction is designed to push top-ranked players toward higher-tier WTA 500 tournaments, which they believe is the best way to elevate the sport’s profile and increase visibility for top-tier events.
However, many argue that weakening WTA 250 events by limiting Top 10 participation ultimately harms the tour and reduces opportunities for fans to see their favorite players.
This approach is also a stark contrast to the ATP, which allows multiple Top 10 players to enter ATP 250 events, even when they conflict with 500-level tournaments.
With the WTA already facing scheduling challenges and a shrinking tournament calendar, restricting player participation in smaller events could exacerbate the problem rather than solve it.
What’s Next for Keys?
Despite the disappointment of missing out on a chance to compete in Austin, Keys’ focus will now shift toward maintaining her momentum.
With Indian Wells and the Miami Open looming in March, the newly crowned Grand Slam champion will have plenty of opportunities to showcase her talent on home soil.
Still, her forced withdrawal from the ATX Open has reignited debate about the WTA’s restrictive rules—and whether they’re truly helping the sport grow.
