Rising Aussie tennis player set to miss out on whopping $192,000 payday due to NCAA rules

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.