Maya Joint Ruled Out of United Cup Opener; Storm Hunter Steps In

SYDNEY: Australia’s United Cup campaign has been dealt a pre-match blow with teenage sensation Maya Joint officially ruled out of the team’s opening tie against Norway due to persistent illness.

The withdrawal was confirmed by Tennis Australia just 30 minutes before the scheduled start time at Ken Rosewall Arena on Saturday. Joint, who had been ordered by medical staff to rest after missing Friday’s media commitments, failed to recover in time for the women’s singles rubber.

Team Captain Lleyton Hewitt had remained hopeful on Friday that the “young gun” would bounce back after a strong hitting session on Thursday.

“I haven’t spoken to her because she’s resting, just trying to get as much sleep as possible,” Hewitt said prior to the final decision. “Confidence-wise, I don’t think myself or her team are too worried about how she’s hitting the ball… We’re just trying to give her the best chance of having 100 per cent energy.”

Alex de Minaur plays a forehand during a training session at Ken Rosewall Arena.

In Joint’s absence, Australia will field veteran Storm Hunter to face Norway’s Malene Helgo. While Hunter is primarily known as a doubles specialist, her inclusion marks a significant moment in her comeback story (see related feature).

Adding to the morning’s drama, fans were temporarily held outside the arena as the previous day session match between China and Belgium ran into overtime, pushing back the start of the Australian proceedings.

Following the women’s singles, world No. 7 Alex de Minaur is still slated to face Casper Ruud in a highly anticipated men’s singles heavyweight clash.