AUSTRALIAN tennis phenom Maya Joint is poised to miss out on a $140,000 payday at the US Open.
The 18-year-old qualifier continued her rapid rise by defeating German veteran Laura Siegemund 6-4, 7-5 in the first round of the grand slam.
But Joint may only be able to access $10,000 of her prize money as she has committed to starting a psychology degree at the University of Texas.
NCAA rules state: “In tennis, prior to full-time collegiate enrollment, an individual may accept up to $10,000 per calendar year in prize money based on his or her place finish or performance in open athletics events (events that are not invitation only).
“Once the individual has reached the $10,000 limit in a particular year, he or she may receive additional prize money on a per-event basis, provided such prize money does not exceed the individual’s actual and necessary expenses for participation in the event.”
Joint, who is the third-youngest woman in the draw, believes she may be able to access more than the stipulated $10,000.
She said her mother is looking into the matter.
“It’s different rules for college,” she said after her biggest victory of her career.
“(As) student athletes, you can take the money from the tournament but you have to, like, make expenses until the end of the year.
“So it’s different from amateur to college.”
The issue is also being challenged by fellow tennis star Reese Brantmeier, who is suing the NCAA over its prize-money rules.
After being denied prize money from the 2021 US Open, Brantmeier is seeking for the NCAA to be restrained from restricting prize money.
Regardless of the outcome, Joint has no plans to give up her collegiate career.
“I’m still going after this tournament,” she told reporters.
“I think I’m going to go to Austin. My class has actually started today.
“I decided a long time ago that I wanted to go to college and I wasn’t really expecting to get this far (in tennis).
“If I go to college, then I get my scholarship spot. If I decide to go pro in the meantime, I can always come back on scholarship, which is a big deal.”
Joint lost 6-4, 6-0 to American Madison Keys in the second round.
But the Michigan-born star is poised to climb to a career-high No. 107 in the world following her run from qualifying.
She started the year as world No. 684.
When asked what she would do if she won the full $140,000, Joint replied: “It’s crazy. I’ve never had (that).
“I don’t really know what to do with it.”
