Australian Open champion BLOCKED from playing in tournament due to little known rule weeks after first Grand Slam title
Australian Open champion BLOCKED from playing in tournament due to little known rule weeks after first Grand Slam title
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AUSTRALIAN OPEN champion Madison Keys will not be able to play in Austin, Texas next month due to a little-known WTA rule. The American, 29, produced an incredible performance to defeat Aryna Sabalenka and claim the trophy Down Under last Saturday. Despite being a former U.S. Open champion in 2017, Keys had gone into the tournament as 19th seed and was not expected to go all the way.
![[Madison Keys holding the Australian Open trophy.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/madison-keys-united-states-poses-966528164.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
After claiming her first Major title, in addition to winning the WTA 500 event in Adelaide the week before, Keys' world ranking has shot up to a career-high No.7. While Keys is relishing her newfound status as a Grand Slam champion, her new ranking has caused her one schedule headache.
![[Madison Keys holding the Australian Open winner's trophy on a beach.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/photo-william-west-afp-image-966683613.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
She had been due to play at the ATX Open in Austin, starting on February 24. But WTA rules state that 250 events, worth 250 points for winning the title, must only feature one top 10 player. This is claimed to "ensure balanced competition across all WTA events held during the same week".
Keys' American compatriot Jessica Pegula, ranked No.6, has already signed up to be Austin's top 10 participant. The Aussie Open champion had been ranked No.21 when she signed up to play in Austin. SUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAY. But having now joined Pegula in the top 10, Keys cannot now join the 30-year-old in the field.
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