Australia’s highest-ranked women’s singles player, Maya Joint, has outlined her ambitious objectives for the upcoming 2026 season. At just 19 years old, Joint has had a remarkable year, culminating in a career-high ranking of 32nd in the world as of October 2023. She secured her first two titles on the WTA Tour, winning at the WTA 250 event in Rabat and later at the Eastbourne Open.
Joint’s rise in the rankings and her successful campaign have set the stage for her future aspirations. Reflecting on her journey, she stated, “I definitely didn’t expect to end up this high in the rankings. It’s definitely a pleasant surprise.” As she adjusts to competing at the top level, Joint noted that her experiences from the past year have prepared her for the challenges ahead.
Goals for 2026
Looking ahead, Joint has identified three primary goals for the 2026 season. She aims to win a WTA 500 event, advance to the fourth round of a WTA 1000 tournament, and reach the third round of a Grand Slam. These objectives represent a significant step up for the young athlete, who is eager to build on her early successes.
“I think it’s going to be exciting to have a second year on tour, where I’m going to mostly places that I’ve already been to, so it’s less new and scary,” Joint explained. Her confidence reflects not only her achievements but also her growing familiarity with the competitive landscape of women’s tennis.
Upcoming Competitions
Joint’s first tournament of 2026 will be the United Cup, where she will represent Australia. The event is scheduled to take place from January 2 to January 11 in Perth and Sydney, with Australia competing in Group D against teams from Czechia and Norway. Joint expressed her enthusiasm for participating in this team event, acknowledging both the excitement and pressure that comes with representing her country.
“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,” she noted. Joint recognizes the unique challenge of competing in a team setting, which adds another layer of intensity to her first match of the season.
As the young athlete prepares to embark on another year of competition, her goals and upcoming appearances are generating anticipation among tennis fans. With her impressive trajectory, Maya Joint is poised to make a significant impact on the international tennis scene in 2026.
