Emerging Australian tennis talent Maya Joint expressed her excitement after competing at Wimbledon, even though she was eliminated in the first round by 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova, losing 6-3, 6-2. This marks a significant milestone for the 19-year-old, who secured direct entry to the tournament for the first time, reflecting her impressive climb to world No. 41 in just 18 months.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Joint was thrilled to play on the prestigious Wimbledon courts, something she had dreamt of since her childhood. She shared her experience on Nine’s Today, describing the surreal feeling of her five-minute warm-up and the joy of playing on such a revered stage.
Having spent her early years in Michigan, USA, Joint moved to Brisbane in mid-2023 to train at the Tennis Australia National Academy. She has a strong sporting lineage; her father, Michael, is a former professional squash player from Melbourne. With her family now settled in Melbourne, Joint has embraced her Australian identity, playfully adopting the nickname "Ginger Ninja," which she announced on her Instagram.
This year has been pivotal for Joint, as she participated in the Australian Open and Roland-Garros, along with making her Grand Slam debut at the US Open last year. Just prior to Wimbledon, she claimed the biggest title of her career at the Eastbourne Open, defeating Filipina Alexandra Eala in a thrilling final. This victory, which ended 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (12-10), propelled Joint into the WTA’s top 50 following notable wins against seasoned players like Ons Jabeur and Emma Raducanu.
Reflecting on her journey, Joint remarked, “It’s been a crazy last week, last month, last year,” highlighting the transformative nature of her recent experiences. She recounted the thrill of facing her childhood idols and her gradual acclimatisation to playing on grass, revealing a growing confidence with each match.
As she continues her career, there’s a sense of excitement surrounding Joint’s future in tennis, with many anticipating her next moves on the court.