Australia’s top-ranked feminine participant Maya Joint has been laid low by sickness in a blow forward of the host nation’s opening United Cup conflict with Norway.
Joint — ranked thirty second on the earth — was ordered to relaxation on Friday, lacking Australia’s scheduled media and follow classes.
Workforce captain Lleyton Hewitt stays hopeful the 19-year-old rising star will have the ability to take her place in Saturday evening’s match in opposition to Malene Helgo.
“I have never spoken to her as a result of she’s resting, so [she’s] simply attempting to get as a lot sleep and relaxation as potential immediately,” Hewitt informed reporters in Sydney on Friday.
Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt (pictured) is hoping Joint is ready to make a swift restoration. (AAP Picture: Mark Evans)
“Hopefully it is solely a 24-hour factor and she will bounce again tomorrow.”
Hewitt stated Joint, who switched allegiance from the US to Australia in 2023, hit effectively on the follow courtroom on Thursday.
“Confidence-wise, I do not suppose myself or her staff are too fearful about how she’s hitting the ball and transferring and taking part in in the intervening time,” Hewitt stated.
“We’re simply attempting to provide her the most effective probability of getting 100 per cent power when she goes on the market to play.
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“Fingers crossed she will get the prospect. If not, then we’ll re-evaluate.”
If Joint is unavailable, Hewitt has Maddison Inglis and Storm Hunter to name upon.
Joint began final yr ranked exterior the world’s prime 100 and entered the Australian Open as a wildcard, exiting within the first spherical.
The Brisbane-based right-hander is now the top-ranked Australian on the WTA circuit, having gained titles at Morocco and Eastbourne, and reached the second spherical of the US Open as a qualifier.
Joint informed AAP on the finish of the earlier season that she was decided to maneuver past the primary spherical of the 2026 Australian Open.
“My objective could be to make the third spherical of a grand slam,” Joint stated of her 2026 ambitions.
“That is an enormous objective … if I work alone recreation then different targets will set themselves up.”
AAP
