"Hopefully it's only a 24-hour thing and she can bounce back tomorrow" - Maya Joint at risk of missing first United Cup tie for Australia due to illness

Australia have high ambitions going into the United Cup with an exciting new lineup consisting of the experienced Alex de Minaur and touted talent Maya Joint. However, the hosts may not be able to see Joint step out onto the court with illness possibly forcing her to watch her country's first tie on the sidelines in a bitter blow.

The 19-year-old joins the Aussie's ranks in this event after an outstanding year on the WTA Tour. She won two titles and is already in the top 32 in the world, set to be seeded for the upcoming Australian Open in an incredible turn of events.

This rapid progress has seen her been labelled as one of the most exciting prospects in women's tennis, bringing much hope to Australia that they can have a player challenging for the biggest titles in the women's game similar to what Ashleigh Barty did for so many years before her abrupt retirement in 2022, and what de Minaur is doing now.

The hosts were set to begin their campaign on January 3 against Norway led by three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud. While that will be a very intriguing tie, Joint is the overwhelming favourite against world number 532 Malene Helgo. 

She was ordered to rest on Friday, with team captain Lleyton Hewitt hopeful of a speedy recovery. "I haven't spoken to her because she's resting, so [she's] just trying to get as much sleep and rest as possible today," Hewitt told reporters in Sydney on Friday. "Hopefully it's only a 24-hour thing and she can bounce back tomorrow."

The two-time Grand Slam champion has stated that her ability on the court is not at fault, but making sure that she is in the best condition to compete for her country on the big stage, able to give 100% energy on the court.

"Confidence-wise, I don't think myself or her team are too worried about how she's hitting the ball and moving and playing at the moment," Hewitt said. "We're just trying to give her the best chance of having 100 per cent energy when she goes out there to play. Fingers crossed she gets the chance. If not, then we'll re-evaluate."

While it would not be a disaster is Joint was to miss out on the opening tie, Australia would still want to see her make her debut in front of a home crowd. If she is proven to be too unwell to compete, then world number 164 Maddison Inglis will take her position against Helgo. 

If Joint is not up to her usual standards, then the good news is that they have slightly longer to wait ahead of their second and final group stage fixture against Czech Republic. The class and skill of Joint will be very much needed in this contest, with two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova a tricky opponent to face. That is despite a sharp decline down the rankings, lending itself to injury and failing to recoup many of the ranking points she collected in her title run at Wimbledon the year prior. De Minaur will shortly follow in the footsteps with a match against the talented Jakub Mensik.

A mixed doubles tie could be needed to resolve a draw in the singles matches. If this is the case, then Australia can boast former world number one Storm Hunter, who is trying to get back to the heights she once was at after she ruptured her Achilles tendon in 2024. Joint could also be a very handy player to utilise, with her picking up a WTA doubles title in the Rabat Grand Prix while losing a brace in the Eastbourne Open and Korea Open.