Madison Keys was swiftly dispatched by her compatriot Jessica Pegula in the fourth round of the Australian Open.
The clash of the two friends was much-anticipated, but Pegula made light work of Keys as she dropped just seven games in a straight sets victory.
Keys will now have to do a ‘disgusting’ forfeit, while Pegula moves on to an Australian Open quarter-final against another American, Amanda Anisimova.
After her fourth round defeat, the WTA Tour live rankings are not a pretty sight for the defending champion.
Madison Keys drops out of the WTA Tour top 10 after Australian Open defeat
Keys came into the 2026 Australian Open having won last year’s event, meaning she was defending 2000 points.
Her fourth round defeat to Pegula means she’s now lost 1760 points, which has caused an almighty tumble down the rankings.
Keys started the tournament as the world number nine, but she currently sits at world number 15 in the rankings.
Who has impressed you most so far at the Australian Open?
With current world number 20 Iva Jovic still competing at the Grand Slam, Keys could be set for an even further drop.
The likes of Victoria Mboko, Elina Svitolina, and Naomi Osaka have overtaken Keys in the ranking after her fall.
Keys could return to action at the Abu Dhabi Open, although it is more likely she will play the first Masters tournament of the year in Qatar on 8 February.
Madison Keys is ‘really proud’ despite Jessica Pegula defeat
Keys’ maiden Grand Slam win in Melbourne last year was impressive, but the defence of the title was always going to be tricky.
The WTA Tour is arguably more competitive than it has been in years, and Keys was well aware it would be a struggle to lift the trophy again.
Who has impressed you the most?
Speaking in her Australian Open press conference, she said: “Obviously not the way that I wanted things to end here, but still really proud of myself.
“I think coming back, being defending champion, dealing with all of the kind of extra pressure and nerves, I’m just really proud of myself for how I handled it. Just one of those days where I feel like Jess beat me, and I can kind of walk away with my head held high.”
Keys defeated Oleksandra Oliynykova, Ashlyn Krueger, and Karolína Plíšková to reach the fourth round in Melbourne.
