"Helped me believe I could start winning again": Maya Joint left Wimbledon with belief after Serena Williams victory
WTAThursday, 23 July 2026 at 04:30
Maya Joint admitted that mainly what Wimbledon gave her was in fact the belief that she can win again and that she can get back to her previous heights after she saw off Serena Williams in the blockbuster first round clash that was hugely clamoured over.
She returns this week in a very different setting of the Prague Open, and she said she went as she'd heard that it was a beautiful city and so she wanted to tick it off the list and that in reality everyone was right about it.
"After Wimbledon, I wanted to get back on hard courts and stay in Europe a bit longer. I’d never been here before, and I love discovering new places. Everyone I asked told me Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. So I thought: 'Well, I have to go see it for myself'. And yes, they were right," she said to Flashscore.
She touched upon that tie against Serena Williams and how also it made her think she could play at a high level again after being very much in the dark about how to approach her future going forward after going on a losing streak.
"I think the match against Serena really helped me. Specifically, it definitely boosted my confidence. Every player probably goes through this at some point in their career, but I really had a tough start to the year and quite a long losing streak. And then this challenge came along… In the end, I beat her. And that match helped me believe I could start winning again."
"It was such a surreal experience! What can I say? But I think it was right there that I proved to myself I could play at a high level again."
Growing up, both her parents played racquet sports but in reality she wasn't going to take up squash as she has never actually played it. "I guess so. Both my parents played racquet sports growing up. And my dad was a professional squash player, so I think I inherited a bit of talent from him, but honestly, I don’t know how I’d do in a squash box. I’ve actually never played it (laughs)."
Keeping money from college
She also made headlines for the fact that she couldn't keep her cash as a young college player when she emerged at the US Open and that she went down a different road also with the help of the WTA. "No, not at all. I never got that money."
"You know, I always wanted to go to university, but actually I studied online the whole time. I never physically went to school. It might sound a bit silly, but I really wanted to experience going to class, being among people who want to learn, carrying books to the classroom. But then there came a point when I realised my tennis was at a level where I should focus on it professionally."
"I found another way. Thanks to the WTA, I’m still studying at university online. There’s a program for that. I chose criminal law, and it’s very interesting. I wanted to dive into something I’d enjoy and wouldn’t feel bored by."
Ajla Tomljanovic is one of many Australians of different nationalities.
With Ajla Tomljanovic as a Croat, Daria Kasatkina as a Russian for instance and Joint being from the States originally, the Australian Billie Jean King Cup team is a microcosm of a lot of different nationalities and she said they all keep in touch and will each other on.
"Oh, absolutely! Our Australian team is super special. It’s like another family to me, really! It’s a close group of friends. We spend time together, go out for dinner. Every time we play, I enjoy it. I actually love the team atmosphere. I think it’s the best in the world (laughs).
"And even when we’re not playing Billie Jean King Cup matches, I stay in touch with the girls. We have a group chat on WhatsApp, and we always message each other after matches."
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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