Madison Keys’ red-hot start to the 2025 season has hit an unexpected roadblock—not on the court, but due to a WTA regulation that’s preventing her from competing at the ATX Open in Austin. The rule, which limits the number of Top-10 players in the draw to one, has forced the American star to withdraw after a rankings surge placed her at No. 7 in the world.
Keys initially registered for the ATX Open while ranked No. 21, a move that seemed like a routine scheduling decision at the time. However, her recent dominance—including a title-winning run at the Adelaide International and her maiden Grand Slam triumph at the Australian Open—propelled her back into the WTA Top 10.
Her rise in the rankings, ironically, has now cost her a spot in Austin, as World No. 6 Jessica Pegula had already secured the lone Top-10 slot in the draw.
Tennis journalist Jose Morgado didn’t hold back in his criticism of the WTA rule, calling it an act of “sabotage” on social media.
“The WTA tour really likes some sabotage. My god.”
With the tournament set to begin on February 24, the absence of Keys is a major loss for both fans and organizers. While Pegula remains a marquee attraction, the American tennis faithful would have relished the chance to see the newly crowned Australian Open champion in action.
The Unforgiving Nature of WTA Rules
WTA regulations do allow for exceptions—but unfortunately, Keys didn’t qualify for one. The rule permits a Top-10 player to participate if they are the defending champion, but since Keys missed last year’s event due to a shoulder injury, she wasn’t eligible for an exemption.
It’s an unfortunate situation for the 29-year-old, who is enjoying one of the best stretches of her career. She’s undefeated in her last 12 matches, dropping just one contest in 2025. Instead of building on her momentum in Austin, she now has to shift her focus elsewhere.
Madison Keys on Her Winning Mentality
Despite this setback, Keys remains laser-focused on maintaining her newfound dominance. Speaking on the WTA Insider podcast, she emphasized her commitment to continuing her pursuit of titles, even after achieving her lifelong dream of winning a Grand Slam.
“I still really wanted to win a Grand Slam. I just didn’t like—I wasn’t like laying in bed at night being like, ‘I’m a failure if I don’t win one anymore,’ which is two very different things. At the end of the day, I want to win every tournament that I’m in a draw of.”
The 29-year-old also acknowledged that setbacks and losses are part of the journey but stressed that her love for competition keeps her going.
“Obviously going to have some bad days still. Obviously going to lose matches that are still tough. But I feel like as long as I can continue to want to win matches and tournaments and not need them, then I think things will be good.”
Her mature perspective is a testament to her evolution both on and off the court.
What’s Next for Keys?
Keys was initially slated to compete at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open, but she later withdrew from the WTA 1000 event due to injury concerns. While her immediate schedule remains unclear, fans will be eager to see when and where she returns to competition.
With her Grand Slam breakthrough at the Australian Open and an unbeaten streak fueling her confidence, Madison Keys is undoubtedly a player to watch in 2025. The only question now is whether the WTA will reconsider rules that, in this case, have kept one of the sport’s top stars off the court.
For now, though, Keys will have to sit out Austin—another unintended consequence of a system that, as some argue, is doing more harm than good.
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