2 hours agoFri 2 Jan 2026 at 7:17am

Australia's Maya Joint has been struck down with illness ahead of the United Cup opener against Norway. (AAP Image: Chris Kidd)

In short:

Australia's United Cup preparations have been dealt a blow with Maya Joint struck down with illness.

Joint was ordered to rest on Friday, missing scheduled media and practice sessions.

What's next? 

Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt is hopeful Joint will be able to take her place in Saturday night's clash against Norway's Malene Helgo.

Australia's top-ranked female player Maya Joint has been laid low by illness in a blow ahead of the host nation's opening United Cup clash with Norway.

Joint — ranked 32nd in the world — was ordered to rest on Friday, missing Australia's scheduled media and practice sessions.

Team captain Lleyton Hewitt remains hopeful the 19-year-old rising star will be able to take her place in Saturday night's match against Malene Helgo.

"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.

Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt (pictured) is hoping Joint is able to make a swift recovery. (AAP Image: Mark Evans)

"Hopefully it's only a 24-hour thing and she can bounce back tomorrow."

Hewitt said Joint, who switched allegiance from the United States to Australia in 2023, hit well on the practice court on Thursday.

"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."

If Joint is unavailable, Hewitt has Maddison Inglis and Storm Hunter to call upon.

Joint started last year ranked outside the world's top 100 and entered the Australian Open as a wildcard, exiting in the first round.

The Brisbane-based right-hander is now the top-ranked Australian on the WTA circuit, having won titles at Morocco and Eastbourne, and reached the second round of the US Open as a qualifier.

Joint told AAP at the end of the previous season that she was determined to move beyond the first round of the 2026 Australian Open.

"My goal would be to make the third round of a grand slam," Joint said of her 2026 ambitions.

"That's a big goal … if I work on my own game then other goals will set themselves up."

AAP

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