Teen sensation Maya Joint ready to shine on Australian Open debut

Australian 18-year-old tennis sensation Maya Joint is ready to mix it with the best at her first appearance in the main draw of an Australian Open.

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Joint was upbeat after a superb performance at last week’s Hobart International where she reached the semi-finals before falling to the eventual runner-up Elise Mertens of Belgium 6-2, 6-3.

On the way to her first ever WTA tournament semi-final in Hobart, Joint defeated Olga Danilovic of Serbia (6-2, 6-3), Magda Linette of Poland (6-1, 6-1), and former 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin (6-3, 6-1).

Happy with form

Joint was very happy with the work she put in at the Brisbane International tournament the week before the Hobart International, and then with her form in the latter tournament.

“Yeah, I came to Australia a couple months ago to start my pre-season. I was training in Brisbane for a couple weeks, then started with the Brisbane International, then played Hobart.”

“Had a lot of great matches there.” 

Joint’s attitude was typically effusive and optimistic of an 18-year-old when she declared: “I’m really excited for this tournament.”

“Yeah, I’m really excited. It’s my first main draw here, so nothing to lose. Just go out and have fun.”

Joint feels that she is great form and that she is ready to shine.

The work that Joint has put in before the first Grand Slam of the year has understandably filled her with confidence.

“Yeah, I think I get a lot of confidence. I played really good matches there.”

“Yeah, they were all high quality. Prepared me I think really well for this Tournament.”

Goals for 2025

When Joint was asked about her playing style, she was clear in how she views her own game.

“I think I’d be an aggressive baseliner, try to hit winners. Just working on coming to the net more, being as aggressive as I can.”

Joint was definite in her tennis goals for 2025.

“I’d like to get inside the top hundred. I’d like to play all of the slams. Just improve my game mentally, improve all aspects of it.”

Joint is scheduled to meet 2024 US Open runner-up Jessica Pegula (world No 7) of the USA in Round 1 of the AO 2025.

Joint is under no illusions of the tough match she has ahead of her.

“I’ve never met her, so I don’t know her personally. I’ve watched her play on television.”

“I’m excited to be able to play against someone of her ranking and strength and accomplishments.”

“I think she hits the ball pretty hard. Just prepare myself for that.”

Born in the United States

Joint has an interesting background.

She was born in Michigan in the United States, has an Australian father, and her mother is German.  

She was a member of the Texas University tennis team before deciding to turn professional in December 2024 to follow her dreams.

It appears there a few countries she could throw her hat in the ring for (America, Germany, and Australia).

Joint recently declared her loyalty to Tennis Australia in 2023.

Joint described appreciating the support that Australian crowds have given her since her switch of allegiance in 2023.

“Yeah, I switched over to Australia in 2023. It’s been amazing. I mean, when I played here for the first time, they really made me feel like I was always representing Australia.”

“Yeah, it’s been great. I was playing in Brisbane and in Hobart. The same thing: they really supported me very well. I’m excited for this one.”

Joint will need all of this home crowd support and then some, if she is to upset Pegula in her first-round match.

Pegula heads into the AO 2025 as the runner-up of the Adelaide International, so she is also in good form.

It’s going to be an intriguing contest.     

Dave Marshall is covering the 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne exclusively live for The South African website