Madison Keys have become the latest addition to the Brisbane International next month after invoking a rule which enables her to participate despite missing the entry deadline.
According to the WTA’s rules events can offer up to two wild card’s to players ranked inside the top 20. After noticing that Keys was absent from the tournament, her management asked for her to be granted entry into the event under the rule. The director of the tournament, Cameron Pearson, was more than happy to award a wild card to the American.
“It was an oversight and the Brisbane entry list had already closed,’’ Pearson said.
“Her management contacted me and I was happy to provide her with a top-20 wild card”.
Keys produced the best result of her career at this year’s Australian Open where she reached the semi-finals, which elevated her inside the top 20 for the first time. The Australian Open was one of only two tournaments this year where Keys have been able to reach the semi-final stage. The other was in Charleston, USA, where she reached her second WTA final before losing to Angelique Kerber. Despite the strong results, the 20-year-old has also experienced disappointment. Keys hasn’t beaten a top 10 player since January as she ends her season with a win-loss of 31-18.
Keys is currently coached by three-time Grand Slam champion and former world No.1 Lindsay Davenport. Speaking about keys, Davenport has predicted big things for the 20-year-old.
“It’s been a really fun so far.” Davenport said about her work with Keys.
“There’s a lot of excitement about everything coming up. She’s developing on her own timeline. When she’s ready everyone will know. And she’s still getting there.”
The Brisbane International will begin on January 3rd. Joining Keys at the event will be Garbine Muguruza, Simona Halep and Maria Sharapova. The full entry list can be seen here.
