Aussie No.1 out of BJK Cup team to face Great Britain

A lingering back injury suffered at Indian Wells, has now forced Australia's highest ranked female player Maya Joint out of the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup Team to face Great Britain.

The 19-year-old is still rehabilitating, hoping to be right for the claycourt season leading into Roland-Garros.

Her replacement in the squad will be former world No.1 junior Emerson Jones.

The 17-year-old at a career high No.136 in the WTA singles rankings, could become one of the youngest females in tennis history to debut for Australia after getting the call up to join Talia Gibson, Kimberly Birrell, Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez for the April 10-11 tie in Melbourne.

Jones said being selected in the BJK Cup team for the first time is extremely special.

"To get my number - most girls dream of that,” she said. “It's going to be a great experience and really fun. They're all really great girls in the team and I look up to them a lot. I'm excited to train with them and just be in the team with them.”

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Eight-time Grand Slam champion and Australian team captain Sam Stosur said she is thrilled to have Jones in the team for the first time.

“Emerson has been able to test herself against some of the best players in the world at the Australian Open and other big tournaments already this year. This opportunity will certainly make her an even better player and is another step in her very young career,” the former US Open winner said.

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