Maya Joint Faces Prize Money Dilemma After US Open Success

Aussie tennis player Maya Joint recently celebrated a significant milestone by winning her first Grand Slam singles match at the US Open, earning her over $200,000 in prize money.

As she progresses in the tournament, Joint is set to face Madison Keys in the next round. However, her success is accompanied by a potential dilemma regarding NCAA rules, which could impact her financial situation.

Joint, an 18-year-old qualified player, has committed to studying psychology at the University of Texas. NCAA regulations specify that prior to full-time enrollment, an athlete can accept up to $10,000 in prize money per calendar year from open athletic events.

Despite the substantial earnings from the US Open, confusion exists about how much of that prize money Joint is entitled to under these rules. Joint expressed her understanding of the situation, indicating that the regulations for college athletes differ from those for amateurs.

As Joint prepares to continue her studies, she remains committed to balancing her education with her aspirations in professional tennis. She emphasized her determination to pursue her college education and her scholarship spot, irrespective of her recent success.

The young athlete, who holds dual athletic backgrounds in squash and tennis through her parents, has shown remarkable performance in recent tournaments and is poised to enter the world’s top 100 rankings should she advance further in the US Open.