Australian young tennis player
Maya Joint set to lose a whopping
$192,000 at the US Open 2024 despite making a winning start. The fourth and
final Grand Slam of the year began on Monday where athletes from all over the
world are participating to showcase their talent to secure the ultimate prize.
Joint is also taking part in the mega-event where she
defeated Germany’s Laura Siegemund in the opening round of the competition in
straight sets with a score of 6-4, 7-5. After that win, Joint is set to miss
out on a whopping $192,000 and will only be able to earn $10,000. That is
because she has already decided to start a psychology degree at the University
of Texas.
US college rules under the NCAA prohibits amateur athletes’
access to money and limit the amount to $10,000. The rule states: "In
tennis, prior to full-time collegiate enrolment, 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).
"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." Joint has already
signed a letter of intent and a scholarship deal with the University of Texas
and if she follows through on enrolling she will not see the full cheque from
her US Open exploits.”
Joint is set to face America’s Maddison Keys in the round of
64. The 29-year-old booked her place in the second round after beating Czech
Republic’s Katerina Siniakova in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-1. It will
be the first-ever meeting between the two in professional tennis.