Seventeen-year-old Emerson Jones, who honed her skills at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Tennyson, has delivered a masterclass in fearless tennis at the Brisbane International, proving that youth and talent can trump decades of professional experience.
Read: Ash Barty Comparisons Abound as Emerson Jones Rises from Tennyson Courts
The Queensland wildcard dispatched German veteran Tatjana Maria with a commanding 6-3, 6-3 victory at Pat Rafter Arena, stunning the 38-year-old world No. 45 in her main-draw debut at the tournament. It was a performance that showcased not only Jones’ aggressive baseline game but also the mental toughness of an emerging Australian star.
The age gap between the competitors—21 years—tells only part of the story. Maria entered professional tennis in 2001, seven years before Jones was even born. The German has accumulated a wealth of experience across two decades on tour. Yet none of that mattered once the young Queenslander stepped onto the court.
Jones set the tone from the opening game, playing with an aggression and purpose that kept her opponent on the back foot throughout. She rushed the net, executed precise cross-court shots, and followed through with conviction on every stroke. The world No. 147, a former junior world No. 1, controlled the tempo and never allowed Maria to settle into her rhythm.
Jones acknowledged the challenge her opponent presented. Maria’s game was tricky to face, but the teenager was delighted to secure the win. She praised the German as an amazing player with significant experience—something Jones readily admits she hasn’t accumulated yet—while expressing satisfaction with her own performance.
The second set provided the most compelling evidence of Jones’ maturity beyond her years. After falling behind 0-2, many teenagers might have crumbled under the pressure of facing a seasoned professional. Instead, Jones composed herself at a crucial deciding point that threatened to put her 0-3 down. A clever backhand marked the turning point, and she surged to win six of the next seven games to claim both the set and the match.
Playing in front of family and friends on home soil clearly energised the Sunshine State local. Jones described the Brisbane International as the best tournament with the best crowd, expressing joy that her family could attend to watch her compete.
Jones’ approach to the tournament has been refreshingly pressure-free. She doesn’t put pressure on herself to win and instead focuses on excitement about playing, a mindset that appears to be serving her well.
This victory represents Jones’ second career win over a top-50 player, following her defeat of world No. 37 Wang Xinyu at the recent Adelaide tournament. The consistency of these breakthrough results suggests the teenager is ready to make her mark at the highest level.
The timing couldn’t be better. Jones has been granted a wildcard into next week’s Australian Open main draw at Melbourne Park, where she’s guaranteed significant prize money regardless of her result. First-round participants will collect $150,000 this year—a 14 per cent increase from 2024—as part of Tennis Australia’s record $111.5 million prize pool.
Last year, Jones made her grand slam debut at the Australian Open but lost in the first round to sixth seed Elena Rybakina. She’ll enter this year’s tournament with considerably more confidence and momentum.
Before Melbourne, however, Jones faces another significant challenge. She will take on world No. 17 Liudmila Samsonova in the second round at the Brisbane International—yet another test against higher-ranked opposition. But if her performance against Maria is any indication, the young Queenslander won’t be intimidated by reputations or rankings.
Jones acknowledged that every round at the Brisbane International presents a challenge, with all players ranked in the top 100. She’s willing to give it her best shot, demonstrating the determination that’s propelling her rapid rise through the professional ranks.
Read: Homecoming Queen: Ash Barty Returns to Tennyson for Brisbane International
Australian tennis fans should get used to hearing the name Emerson Jones. The future looks bright for this young Queenslander.
Published 7-January-2026
