In the world of tennis, young athletes often face unique challenges that go beyond the court. One such challenge has recently come to light with the case of Maya Joint, a rising Australian tennis star who has found herself in a peculiar situation regarding her US Open prize money.
Maya Joint’s US Open Journey
Maya Joint, an 18-year-old tennis prodigy, recently made headlines by winning her maiden grand slam singles match at the US Open. This victory was supposed to be a significant milestone in her career, not just in terms of recognition but also financially. The prize money for her win was set to be $140,000, a substantial amount for any young athlete.
However, Maya’s situation is complicated by her commitment to pursuing higher education. She is set to start a psychology degree at the University of Texas, which means she falls under the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) rules. These rules limit the amount of prize money a student-athlete can earn, capping it at $10,000 per calendar year. Any additional prize money can only be accepted if it does not exceed the individual’s actual and necessary expenses for participation in the event.
The Dilemma
This NCAA regulation puts Maya in a difficult position. Despite her impressive performance and the significant prize money she stands to earn, she cannot pocket the full amount due to her status as a student-athlete. This rule is designed to maintain the amateur status of college athletes, ensuring that their primary focus remains on their education rather than professional sports.
For Maya, this means that while she can accept a portion of the prize money to cover her expenses, the bulk of it will remain out of reach. This situation highlights the unique challenges faced by young athletes where the pursuit of education and professional sports often collide.
Joint at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2024
Now the world no.135 (career-high), Joint has managed to achieve a compiled 54-19 record in 2024. The American is participating at the U.S. Open where she bested the world no.172 Maja Chwalinska 6-0 6-3, the world no.213 Iryna Shymanovich 7-5 3-6 6-0, the world no.102 Hailey Baptiste 6-2 6-1 and the world no.94 Laura Siegemund 6-4 7-5.
Maya Joint will come up against the world no.14 Madison Keys in the 2nd round on Wednesday at 12:00 pm on Arthur Ashe Stadium. In the past, they have never competed against each other so far in top events.
Maya conquered 2 titles in 2024 in the W75 Burnie and the W35 Santo Domingo. The American reached the final in the W100 Bonita Springs and in the Warsaw.