Australia’s United Cup campaign has taken a hit before the team has even stepped onto the court, with rising star Maya Joint ruled out of their opening battle against Norway.
Joint was not present at the team’s media commitments on Friday as it was she was ordered by medics to rest in bid to recover from an illness.
The exact illness the teenager was suffering from was not announced, but Tennis Australia confirmed 30 minutes before the first match was scheduled to start on Saturday that she was still unwell and would not take to the court.
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Team captain Lleyton Hewitt did not seem too worried that Joint would be sidelined for an extended period of time on Friday.
However, he did not have a clear answer on Friday about her availability for Saturday.
“I haven’t spoken to her because she’s resting, so (she’s) just trying to get as much sleep and rest as possible,” he said.
Maya Joint of Australia seen in practice ahead of the United Cup. Getty
“Hopefully, she can bounce back. She hit well [on Thursday].
“Confidence-wise, I don’t think myself or her team are too worried about how she’s hitting the ball and moving and playing at the moment.
“We’re just trying to give her the best chance of having 100 per cent energy when she goes out there to play. Fingers crossed she gets the chance.”
Team Australia will instead field Storm Hunter to face Norway’s Malene Helgo in the women’s singles match at Ken Rosewell Arena.
Those waiting to see Team Australia take the court in Sydney have been forced to wait outside the arena for a short period of time due to the day session doubles match between China and Belgium going into overtime.
Hunter is a doubles specialist and is preparing to make her return to the court on Australian soil for the first time since she suffered an Achilles injury.
The 31-year-old has been back on the court for just shy of 12 months since that injury, however, missed the Australian Open and United Cup due to the events timings.
Alex de Minaur plays a forehand during a training session at Ken Rosewall Arena. Getty
As for the team’s top-ranked star, Alex de Minaur, he is excited to have a rare opportunity of playing the sport he loves in front of a home Sydney crowd.
“What I’m thinking as I’m walking out is the countless hours I did on the outside courts on this venue growing up,” de Minaur, world No.7, said.
“I was at the academy here, I grew up here … all I wanted as a kid was to one day compete on that court. It is a pinch-me moment every time I walk out there. I get goosebumps.
“The crowd support is also unbelievable, and that’s what I love about it.”