Maya Joint Poised to Shine at AO 2026

Maya Joint is set to make a significant impact at the Australian Open 2026. Following a remarkable year, she enters the tournament ranked as Australia’s top female player and is seeded for the first time in her career. This marks a striking contrast to her No. 105 ranking during her inaugural appearance at last year’s event.

Maya Joint’s Rise in Tennis

The 19-year-old expressed her excitement regarding her new seeded position. “Being seeded is definitely a little bit of a different feeling,” she stated. With this status comes increased pressure and expectations as she holds the title of the highest-ranked Australian woman.

Legacy of Australian Tennis

Joint recognizes the rich history of Australian tennis, citing notable players like Ash Barty, Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong, and Sam Stosur. “So many amazing women have come before all of us Aussies,” she reflected. Her connection to fellow players, including Kimberly Birrell and Ajla Tomljanovic, helps her learn and grow in the sport.

A Measured Approach to Success

Unlike many competitors in the WTA Tour’s top tier, Joint maintains a pragmatic outlook on her goals. In 2025, she claimed two WTA 250 titles, excelling both on clay and grass surfaces. Now, she aims to win a WTA 500 event, reach the fourth round of a Masters 1000, and advance to the third round of a Grand Slam.

• WTA Titles: 2 (Rabate and Eastbourne)
• 2026 Goals:
  • Win a WTA 500 event
  • Fourth round of a Masters
  • Third round of a Grand Slam

Team Experience and Learning

Joint recently participated in her first United Cup, where she faced Grand Slam champions like Iga Swiatek. Despite losses, the experience brought invaluable insights. She also achieved her first victory of the year against Sofia Kenin, boosting her confidence heading into the Australian Open.

Preparation for the Australian Open

Entering the tournament with enthusiasm, Joint noted, “I definitely feel some extra pressure. But like Billie Jean King said, pressure is a privilege.” Her determination is evident as she has focused on improving her serve, aiming for better placement and accuracy.

As she prepares for her first-round match against Czech player Tereza Valentova, Joint has been analyzing match footage to refine her strategy. “I’m really excited to get playing on Tuesday,” she shared, anticipating the support from friends and family attending the event.