Breakout tennis sensation Maya Joint has big ambitions and isn't afraid to let the world know.
Australia's new women's No.1 has set her sights on reaching the third round of a major, starting with the Australian Open in January.
American-born Joint, who declared for Australia in 2023, is set to be seeded for the first time at Melbourne Park after rising to world No.32 off the back of titles at Eastbourne and Morocco.
The 19-year-old is the third-youngest player inside the current top 32, behind 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva (world No.9) and 19-year-old Victoria Mboko (world No.18).
Joint has twice reached the second round at the US Open but only experienced first-round exits at Melbourne Park, Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
"My goal would be to make the third round of a grand slam," Joint told AAP.
"That's a big goal for next year. Just working on my own game, really. If I work on my own game then other goals will set themselves up."
Joint's form in 2025 earned her a maiden Newcombe Medal nomination, and bigger things appear on the horizon, starting with her debut for Australia at the United Cup, which starts on January 4.
"It's been a wild year. Everything went pretty smoothly," she said.
"I've just been playing some really great tennis and was backing it up and playing well on all surfaces, so I just hope next year can be the same."
Earning a prized seeding, something Australia hasn't enjoyed in the women's competition since world No.1 Ash Barty's 2022 triumph, will help.
"It's definitely a goal that I have, and it makes things a lot easier if you're seeded, because you don't have to play a seeded player first round," Joint said.
"And just being seeded at your home tournament is something very special."
Veteran and former doubles world No.1 Storm Hunter will partner with doubles world No.53 Joint at Melbourne Park in her first Open since tearing her achilles.
Hunter, back at world No.33 in doubles, has high hopes for Joint.
"She can do anything," Hunter told AAP.
"She's our top-ranked woman. She's only been on tour for one year. She's still so young. She can literally do anything."
Hunter has relished working alongside the teen sensation as part of Australia's Billie Jean King Cup team.
"She's still got a lot to improve on her game," Hunter said.
"The best thing about her is that she's just happy to go with the flow and everything's a new experience. She's not putting too much pressure on herself.
"She's enjoying just playing tennis and I hope that she keeps that joy and doesn't feel like she has to do more than she has because she's doing amazing.
"If she just keeps doing what she's doing, she's going to be fine and have an amazing career."
