Jessica Pegula addresses unusual WTA rule after stopping rival from playing tournament

Jessica Pegula, the sole top-10 player at the ATX Open in Austin, has commented on the unusual rule that forced Madison Keys to withdraw from the tournament. The WTA 250 event’s rule allows only one top-10 player, and Keys’ post-Australian Open ranking surge to No. 5 meant she couldn’t compete.

Keys initially signed up when ranked No. 21, but her Australian Open victory propelled her back into the top 10. Pegula, ranked No. 4, had already secured the top-10 spot in Austin.

Pegula acknowledged the rule’s complexity. “It’s so hard to say because you can see both sides, right?” she said. “Maybe that doesn’t benefit the lower-ranked players who are getting into these tournaments and trying to gain points and momentum to work their way up to the bigger tournaments. But then, at the same time, it’s always tough when something like that happens, like with Madi, and she’s not able to play.”

However, Pegula believes Keys isn’t overly concerned. “Although I will say, I think that it was a pretty extreme, kind of rare circumstance, so I don’t think she’s killing herself over it, you know? She won the Australian Open, so I think she’s pretty happy,” Pegula added.

The ATX Open organizers, initially anticipating Keys’ participation, had to issue a statement explaining her withdrawal. “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,” they stated. “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.”

Keys, now at a career-high of No. 5, is expected to compete in Indian Wells.