Emerson Jones is one of the brightest young stars on the WTA Tour.
The former junior world number one has been preparing for the Australian Open by competing at the Brisbane International.
In the first round, Jones recorded an impressive win against Queen’s Club champion Tatjana Maria, defeating the German 6-3, 6-3.
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On Wednesday morning, Jones’ run was ended by 10th seed Liudmila Samsonova, losing 6-1, 6-4.
Despite the loss, Jones can take great pride from her performances in Brisbane, and her confidence will surely be high heading into the first Grand Slam of the year.
Jones is one of Australia’s best talents, and her potential superstardom has seen the 17-year-old compared to former world number one Ashleigh Barty.
Emerson Jones responds to Ashleigh Barty comparisons
Ashleigh Barty is one of the greatest players in tennis history, let alone Australian tennis history.
Barty won three Grand Slam titles before retiring from her playing career at the tender age of 25.
Barty, who achieved the status of world number one, said in 2025 that Emerson Jones is ‘one of the best young players we’ve seen,’ in an interview with News.com.au.
More recently, Barty said of Jones in Vogue Australia: “She’s certainly exciting to watch — a joy when in full flight.”
After losing to Samsonova on Wednesday, Jones was asked a pertinent question regarding Barty.
“Ash Barty came out recently and gave you a big tick of approval, and certainly there is a lot of talk about you now after the performance the other night against Tatjana,” the reporter began.
“So how do you deal with that expectation that people are saying you’re the next big thing?
Jones replied: “Yeah, I mean, I have had that for a while since last year, and, you know, doesn’t really put any pressure on me.
“Everyone compares me to Ash and all that, but Ash has her own journey, and I think she did absolutely amazing and it would be amazing to achieve what she did.
“But, yeah, I kind of focus on myself and, you know, I think that definitely works for me, just focus on who is in front of me, and I definitely think that helps, yeah.”
Jones has been given a wildcard for the 2026 Australian Open, and she will hope to make her mark at the event.
Jones also received a wildcard for the 2025 edition, but lost in the first round to Elena Rybakina.
Emerson Jones’ rapid rise
In 2023, Jones had already begun her rise up the rankings, reaching a peak of 782 in the world that year.
In 2024, the Australian star’s ranking rose sharply. She rose to world number 373 that year before falling to 472 by its conclusion.
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Jones continued her rapid ascension in 2025, concluding the WTA Tour season ranked 189 in the world.
She has since risen to world number 147 – her best-ever ranking.
However, following her loss to Samsonova in Brisbane, Jones is set to fall seven places to world number 154.
For all of Jones’ talent, she is not the best youngster – as things currently stand – on the WTA Tour.
Maya Joint, who will play Iga Swiatek in the United Cup quarter-finals, could have the best 2026 season of any youngster on the WTA Tour.
