Note: Throughout December, wtatennis.com will be conducting interviews with players expected to shine in 2026, following notable comebacks or breakthroughs in 2025.
In late November, up-and-coming talent Emerson Jones was trailing Talia Gibson by six points in the Australian Pro Tour wild-card race as she headed into the ITF W75 Playford International. The prize was a wild-card entry into the 2026 Australian Open.
Just two weeks prior, Jones had taken the lead with a semifinal finish at the ITF W50 in Brisbane. However, Gibson regained her advantage by winning the W75 title in Sydney, defeating Jones 6-2, 6-4 in the final.
In the semifinals at Playford, their paths crossed again, and upon both advancing, a decisive match for the coveted wild-card spot ensued. Jones took advantage of the opportunity, defeating Gibson 6-4, 6-4, before going on to win the tournament.
From junior No. 1 to the Top 150
The upcoming Australian Open will be the second consecutive main-draw appearance for the former junior No. 1, highlighting the steady ascent of the 17-year-old as Australia’s next potential tennis star. Following her performance, including finals at the junior girls’ singles in both the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2024, and a semifinal finish at Roland Garros in 2025, Jones is now ranked No. 151 after transitioning to professional tennis.
Before the crucial Australian tour — consisting of Brisbane, Sydney, and Playford — Jones was clear about her goal: break into the Top 150, arriving in Brisbane ranked No. 189. She finished the series with a 12-2 record, successfully defending her title in Playford and reaching No. 150 in the rankings.
Challenging the Elite in Adelaide and Melbourne
Looking ahead, Jones aims to break into the top 100 by the end of 2026. Although her experience at the WTA Tour level remains limited, she has observed fellow rising players adapt well. “Some girls like Iva [Jovic] and Maya [Joint] are stepping up and finding their rhythm,” she noted. “I’m excited for the chance to compete at that level.”
Jones made her WTA Tour main-draw debut last January at the WTA 500 Adelaide International, where she achieved her biggest career win by defeating then-No. 37 Xinyu Wang 6-4, 6-0 in the first round. She later faced Daria Kasatkina in the second round, pushing the No. 3 seed in a closely fought 5-7, 3-6 match.
On the Path to the Next Step
After her time in Melbourne, Jones returned to the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour in Australia and Asia, securing a W35 title in Fukuoka, Japan, in May. Earlier in the year, she was recognized as Australia’s “Orange Girl,” a tradition allowing promising young players to practice with the national team. This has previously included notable players like Joint, Ashleigh Barty, and Storm Hunter.
With 2026 approaching, Jones is currently training in Brisbane to prepare for her first tournament of the year. Her daily training includes on-court practice as well as fitness and conditioning sessions, focusing heavily on her serve and return as she prepares to face stronger opponents. “I’m stepping into women’s tennis, so I’m concentrating more on my serve and returns,” she said. “There are many powerful servers on the circuit.”
Excited for her upcoming WTA 500 Brisbane International debut, Jones expressed her enthusiasm about playing on familiar grounds. “It’s thrilling to play in Brisbane,” she said. “I can have my family and friends come to support me, and I’ll be competing on the same courts I train on.” Looking ahead, she hopes to participate in the Asian swing next fall instead of the W100s in North America from the previous year. Jones is eager to showcase her aggressive playstyle as she climbs up the rankings, inspired by the success of players like Joint, and aims to become a significant name in Australian tennis.
