Imagine this: you’re just starting your career, making waves by outshining seasoned players on a grand stage, and suddenly, you find yourself in the spotlight. But when it’s time to reap the rewards of your hard work, the prize money slips right through your fingers. Frustrating, isn’t it? Unfortunately, this isn’t a hypothetical scenario—it’s the harsh reality for young Australian talent Maya Joint, who faced this exact predicament at the US Open. So, why can’t she pocket the hard-earned cash? The answer lies in a rule that has long been the subject of controversy in the tennis world.

The Australian rising star will play her first match of the Australian Open against Jessica Pegula on Monday. But this is not the first time that Joint has entered the main draw of a Grand Slam. Her first such moment came at the US Open, where she won the qualifying rounds, outshined Laura Siegemund in the first round, and advanced further. While she was eventually baffled by Madison Keys in the second round, she managed to amass $140,000 through her remarkable maiden run at the Flushing Meadows. However, she could not take away the hefty prize money with her.

Joint was a freshman at the University of Texas and was under the NCAA obligations when she competed at the US Open. Interestingly, the NCAA rules do not allow any player to take more than $10,000 during a calendar year if it comes through their victories, which also impacted Joint. “In tennis, prior to full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual may accept up to $10,000 per calendar year in prize money based on his or her place finish or performance in open athletics events (events that are not invitation only),” the NCAA rule reads. But this is where it gets more bizarre. 

“Once the individual has reached the $10,000 limit in a particular year, he or she may receive additional prize money on a per-event basis, provided such prize money does not exceed the individual’s actual and necessary expenses for participation in the event,” it adds further. Remember, Joint committed to Texas in the fall of 2023 and remained a part of it before announcing that she would turn pro and forego her college opportunities in December, last year. The rule, meanwhile, has often been criticized and one such reaction came from 2003 US Open winner Andy Roddick. 

Sharing his take on the matter, Roddick stated, “It’s absurd to me that a college athlete can take money from a local car dealership but can’t accept earned prize money from the US Open.” However, the loss of this hefty amount did not draw a sorrowful response from Joint. When asked if she wished to keep the money, the star player said, “I’m happy with my decision of going to college.” But interestingly, the Australian youngster definitely had some plans in mind, if she could have managed to keep the money with herself. 

When Maya Joint revealed how she would have spent the $140,000 prize money

Maya Joint might have failed to bag the huge sum of money but she definitely did win hearts and proved that she has a bright future on the tennis circuit. She remained stoic throughout and exuded contentment, highlighting the prize money was not just hefty for her, but also something that she did not anticipate. 

“I’ve never had [big prize money]. I don’t really know what to do with it,” Joint said. “It is very complicated. My mum looks at it, and then the Texas Compliance Office helps me with that. And one of my friends, Reece Brantmeier, she has been through all of that, so she helps me.” Joint said about her prize money at the US Open. When quizzed about what she would have used it for, she categorically highlighted that buying a new car would definitely not have been an option. 

“I don’t have a driver’s license,” the 18-year-old Australian star said. So, what could she have bought using the money? “Maybe a dog, a couple dogs,” Joint clarified. But now, she has the opportunity to fulfill all her desires in Melbourne. Can she make a remarkable run at the Australian Open and win an impressive amount besides some accolades? Well, only time will tell.