When the 2024 Australian Open qualifying draw was released, Maya Joint's name appeared amongst the other 127 players — a name entirely foreign to the average Aussie tennis fan.
But the then-17-year-old didn't mind the minimal fuss and low-key background, quietly going about her business and winning her first two qualifying matches.
Joint's final assignment to gain an unlikely main draw berth as a wildcard was to topple former world No.21 Dayana Yastremska on Court 5.
Locked in an intense battle at 4-4 in the third and deciding set, Yastremska's poise and maturity shone brighter, resulting in a heartbreaking exit for Australia's newcomer.
But when you take in the fact that Yastremska, who was inches away from bowing out in qualifying, reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open main draw two weeks later — it was a sign that Joint was trending in the right direction.
How do we know she was on the right path? Well, her rise from No.684 to No.116 in the space in the last 12 months tells the story.
"It was a great run that I had last year. I didn't expect that I would jump so high in the rankings and do so well," Joint told The First Serve.
"The matches that I played during the [2024] Australian Open gave me a lot of confidence and I just kept enjoying myself while I was playing."
One of the reasons why Joint was unknown to the average Aussie fan was because she was born in Michigan in the United States.
Born to an Australian father and German mother, Joint switched allegiance to Australia, where her affection was unassailable.
Although tennis is her first passion, it isn't the only thing that keeps her going.
Joint accepted the chance to study at the University of Texas to complete a degree in psychology, taking her education seriously all while grinding out the hard yards at the gym and on the practice courts to compete professionally.
Despite her rise in the WTA rankings, Joint has zero regrets.
"I'm really glad that I went to the University of Texas. I enjoyed it a lot, I had great friends [and] great coaches," said Joint.
"Even though I wasn't there for a lot of the time [due to travelling on the tour], I really enjoyed the school where I could live on my own and be dependent, so I'm glad I experienced it."
Recently, it was confirmed that Joint had made the decision to leave University and pursue a full-time career on the tennis scene.
She shed light on what made her come to that decision.
"I want to commit to playing professionally [because] I was dividing my time between everything, and it's quite difficult to try and do it all," Joint said. "I felt like I needed to put University to the side, and it was the right time. I felt ready with my game and I'm excited to see what happens."
Despite impressive strides made throughout the opening two-thirds of the season, it was the US Open where Joint stepped up to the plate and made a real name for herself.
Conceding the sole set throughout three rounds of qualifying, including a straight-sets triumph over third-seed Hailey Baptiste, the Aussie achieved her maiden major main draw appearance.
If that wasn't already enough, Joint tasted her first Grand Slam main draw win against Laura Siegemund to earn an unprecedented moment to perform on the biggest stadium in world tennis.
"It was unbelievable. I honestly didn't think I was going to make it that far," Joint admitted.
"Qualifying was a really special feeling, but then to win my first main draw match at a Grand Slam and play on Arthur Ashe Stadium was crazy.
"I had always dreamed of playing on that court since I was little, and I actually watched Madison and Sloane Stephens play there in the [US Open] final [in 2017]."
There are bucket list moments, and then there is representing your country at a major event.
Albeit a role as an Orange Girl for the Australian Billie Jean King Cup Finals team last month, the experience is one that Joint will keep close to heart, as she strives for greater things in the near future with the green and gold.
"I was really happy that I was selected as an Orange Girl and it was an honour to practice with the [Aussie] girls who are all really supportive," Joint said.
"Sam [Stosur] as the captain and Nicole Pratt [part of the coaching team] were really great. They helped me a lot and gave me advice on and off the court.
"It motivated me for next time to be able to play on the team and play a match for Australia."
The talented teen registered a 64-29 win-loss record across 31 tournaments in 2024, clinching two ITF titles and finishing runner-up at a WTA 125 event.
Earlier this month, Joint received her well-deserved reward with two wildcards to participate in the main draws of the Brisbane International and Australian Open.
When asked if she has set aside time to appreciate how far she has come, the former junior world No.20 admits it hasn't sunk in.
"I'm really glad that I got the wildcards and I'm super grateful for it," Joint said.
"I can't wait to play in the Australian Open main draw for the first time, but at the same time, it's a weird feeling.
"I haven't really thought about it that much [in terms of] what I've done to get to this point, but I hope I can continue what I've been doing."
The highly awaited Brisbane International draw was released earlier this morning, with Joint learning her fate — ready to face Australian qualifier Maddison Inglis.
If she is to come out unscathed in that particular test, then a date with two-time Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka will become a reality in the second round.
"It's a good opportunity to play a qualifier in the first round," said Joint. "I think everyone in the main draw is good, and [Maddison] has won two matches in the Brisbane heat and would've gotten familiar with the courts.
"To play Azarenka would be amazing to test myself, but I'm going to try and take it one match at a time."
Still with endless room for growth at the tender age of 18, next year will be a chance to achieve a handful of particular goals.
"I'd like to play in the main draw of every Slam and try to get my ranking up to be inside the top-100," Joint confirmed.
"Working on my game is also really important for me, so it's about trying to improve both my game and my mental strength."
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