Australia’s highest-ranked women’s singles player, Maya Joint, has set her sights high for the 2026 tennis season, outlining three primary goals. The 19-year-old athlete, who reached a career-high ranking of 32nd in October 2023, aims to secure a title at a WTA 500 event, advance to the fourth round of a WTA 1000 tournament, and reach the third round of a Grand Slam.
Joint’s breakthrough year included winning two titles, starting with her first at a WTA 250 event in Rabat, followed by a victory at the Eastbourne Open a month later. Reflecting on her remarkable progress, she expressed surprise at her rapid ascent in the rankings.
“I definitely didn’t expect to end up this high in the rankings. It’s definitely a pleasant surprise,” Joint stated, according to the WTA website. She highlighted her consistent performance across various surfaces and her growing familiarity with top-level competition. “I’ve gotten more used to the top level of players. I’ve just played a lot more of them this year than I did last year,” she added.
Goals for Growth
As Joint prepares for her second year on the WTA Tour, she feels a sense of excitement about returning to familiar venues, which will ease some of the pressure that comes with exploring new locations. “It’s less new and scary in getting to find your way around. I think it’ll be good,” she noted.
Her aspirations for the upcoming season reflect her determination to compete at an even higher level. Winning a WTA 500 event would mark a significant achievement, while advancing through the later rounds of prestigious tournaments would solidify her position among the elite players in women’s tennis.
Upcoming Challenges
Joint’s first competition in 2026 will be the United Cup, where she will represent Australia in Group D against teams from Czechia and Norway. The tournament, scheduled to take place in Perth and Sydney from January 2 to January 11, will serve as a crucial starting point for her season.
“It’s a really fun event to start the season off with. I also think it’s a lot of pressure, just because team events are always different,” Joint explained. She acknowledged the unique challenges that come with playing for her country, which adds an extra layer of excitement and nerves. “I’ll be nervous because it’s a team. Then I’ll be nervous because it’s the first match of the season. It’ll be a super fun event, which will just set a really good tone for the rest of the year,” she concluded.
As Maya Joint embarks on this promising path, her ambitions for 2026 reveal both her potential and the commitment required to succeed at the highest levels of tennis. With a strong foundation from her 2023 performances, Joint appears poised to make a significant impact on the WTA Tour in the years to come.
