Why is Australian Open champion Madison Keys not playing in Austin Open?

Why is Australian Open champion Madison Keys not playing in Austin Open?

After she clinched the 2025 Australian Open championship, USA’s Madison Keys will not be able to participate in the upcoming Austin Open, the tournament organisers announced on Thursday.

Keys beat World No. 1 and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in the final to win her maiden Grand Slam title. The 29-year-old had a tough road to the summit clash, having to face the likes of Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina, and World No. 2 Iga Swiatek.

The racquet-wielder from Illinois entered the Melbourne Park Slam in good form, having won her ninth WTA Tour singles title at the Adelaide International.

However, she won’t be able to participate in the third edition of the Austin Open.

Having begun only in 2023, the Austin Open is a WTA 250 event on the tour. The tournament has a rule which allows only one Top 10 ranked player in the world to participate.

“As a 250-level tournament, the ATX Open is permitted to feature just one Top 10 player unless the defending champion returns as a Top 10 ranked player. Only in that circumstance could two Top 10 players compete in our tournament. This helps to ensure balanced competition across all WTA events held during the same week,” the organisers said.

After the title-winning run at Australian Open, Keys moved up to match her career-best position of World No. 7. And with compatriot Jessica Pegula already set to participate, this prevents Keys from playing the tournament.

“When we entered an agreement with Madison, her ranking was World No. 21. Now with her title wins in both Adelaide and Melbourne, her ranking has moved to World No. 7. As a result of her new ranking, Madison will, unfortunately, not be able to compete in this year’s ATX Open,” the organisers explained.

“While we wish the Top 10 rule didn’t apply to our tournament, we respect the rules of the WTA. We can’t wait to invite Madison again to future ATX Opens. We remain very excited to welcome Jessica to her first-ever ATX Open next month. She’s eager to compete in Austin,” Tournament Director Christo van Rensburg said.

The main draw at the 2025 Austin Open begins on February 24 and will go on till March 2.