Former world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty has thrown her unwavering support behind Australian rising tennis sensation Emerson Jones, urging the 16-year-old to enjoy the journey and avoid the pitfalls of mounting comparisons. As the young wildcard prepares to make her Australian Open debut, Barty has emphasized the importance of focusing on personal growth rather than chasing labels like “the next Barty.”
A Breakthrough Moment in Adelaide
Jones burst onto the scene with a remarkable showing at the WTA 500 tournament in Adelaide, where she clinched her first-ever main draw victory in commanding style. Her stunning 6-4, 6-0 upset over world No. 37 Wang Xinyu turned heads, and her spirited performance against world No. 9 Daria Kasatkina, despite a narrow defeat (7-5, 6-3), only added to the buzz surrounding the young talent.
Barty’s Words of Wisdom: “Create Your Own Legacy”
Amid rising expectations and inevitable comparisons to Australia’s retired Grand Slam champion, Barty was quick to step in with words of encouragement and caution. Speaking about Jones’ potential and the pressures of public scrutiny, Barty said:
“(The extra attention) is certainly a different beast, and I think getting to know ‘Emmo’ a lot more over the last couple of years, she’s a very driven person – she’s passionate, she wants to do well, she’s focused, she’s professional.”
Barty continued:
“Her whole life is ahead of her, her whole career is ahead … I’m excited for her. It’s ‘be the best Emerson Jones that you can be.’ Her game has a lot of developing to do, she’s only a young teenager. This Australian summer is almost the perfect opportunity for her to soak it all in and enjoy it without that pressure.”
Facing the Ultimate Test: Rybakina in Round One
Jones’ Australian Open journey begins with an enormous challenge: a first-round clash against world No. 6 Elena Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion. While the odds of a giant-killing upset may be slim, just competing well against a player of Rybakina’s caliber could serve as a confidence boost for Jones and highlight her potential on the world stage.
All Eyes on Emerson
For now, the tennis world will be watching as Emerson Jones steps onto the court at Melbourne Park. Whether she thrives under the spotlight or uses this opportunity as a stepping stone, the advice from a three-time Grand Slam champion like Ash Barty provides the perfect foundation:
“Enjoy it, soak it in, and be the best version of yourself.”