A bizarre ranking rule renders newly-minted Grand Slam champion Madison Keys unable to compete at a tournament in her home country, the ATX Open announcing that the reigning Australian Open champion is no longer eligible for the upcoming WTA 250 tournament due to her meteoric rise in the rankings.
The ATX Open, which takes place from February 22 to March 2, is held just before the annual Sunshine Swing of 1000-level U.S. hard-court tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.
“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,” the tournament confirmed in a statement, citing the Hologic WTA Tour rules.
“With World No. 6 Jessica Pegula already committed to the event, WTA rules prevent us from having a second Top 10 player in the draw. 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.”