Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys both wanted to play the 2026 ATX Open.

But, as the event is a WTA 250, rules dictate that only one top-10 player can enter.

At the time of entry, both Pegula and Keys were ranked inside the top 10, but as the higher-ranked player, the former received a main draw spot.

However, after winning the Dubai Tennis Championships title, Pegula withdrew from the ATX Open at the last minute.

Several fans questioned how Keys would respond to Pegula’s withdrawal, but the pair cleared things up during the latest episode of their ‘Player’s Box Podcast‘.

Madison Keys jokes about being ‘livid’ with Jessica Pegula

“I had to pull out of Austin this week, because of the tight turnaround from Dubai, someone wrote in, that Madi [Keys] must be absolutely livid with my decision, because she did not get to play Austin after all,” said Pegula.

“We talked about this before in previous episodes, and now she technically could have played, so we’re going to follow up with Madi. Are you livid at me?”

“Oh yeah, freaking p— that you won Dubai and pulled out!” joked Keys.

“Once again… I’m the victim.

“And, we’ll have to think of some way that you can make it up to me, but so livid, can’t even sleep at night, just furious.

“Almost so livid we can’t even speak about it!”

Jennifer Brady interjected to make sure fans knew Pegula and Keys were only messing around.

“I hope people understand sarcasm!” she said.

“Or they won’t and we’ll have a great headline, a real clickbait-y headline for this week,” added Keys.

“Obviously, once you won the tournament, it was a massive ask to ask you to fly from Dubai. I think it makes it more understandable.

“Just think about it next time!”

With both Pegula and Keys missing the tournament, another American won the ATX Open.

Peyton Stearns defeated Taylor Townsend, 7-6, 7-5 in the final.

When can Madison Keys get revenge on Jessica Pegula?

Keys joked about Pegula ‘making it up to her’, but when could they meet next on the WTA Tour?

Theoretically, they could face off at Indian Wells this month.

They’ve been placed on the same half of the draw, and could potentially meet in the quarterfinals, if both players make it that far.

To do so, Keys would need to beat the likes of Venus Williams, Emma Navarro, and Elena Rybakina, while Pegula would need to beat the likes of Donna Vekic, Jelena Ostapenko, and Belinda Bencic.

It won’t be easy, but fans of the duo would love nothing more than to see them battle it out in California.

The 2026 Indian Wells main draw begins on Wednesday, March 4.