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 US Open finalist in 2017, Keys had gone into the tournament as 19th seed and was not expected to go all the way.
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.
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 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.
But having now joined Pegula in the top 10, Keys cannot now join the 30-year-old in the field.
Confirming Keys’ withdrawal in a statement, tournament director Christo Van Rensburg said: “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.”
During the same week as the event in Austin, there is a WTA 500 tournament in Merida, Mexico that Keys could choose to enter instead.
Keys had been due to return to action at the Qatar Open next month, but has withdrawn due to a hamstring injury.
As it stands, she remains on the entry list for the WTA 1000 event the following week in Dubai, commencing on February 16.
Read the full article here