‘Follow in her footsteps’: Barty-esque thriller for Gold Coast tennis star making history as youngest ITF champion
A Gold Coast tennis prodigy has made her way into history books after becoming the youngest player to claim an ITF Grade A junior competition since Australian sporting idol Ash Barty. Full details:
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A Gold Coast tennis prodigy has made her way into history books after becoming the youngest player to claim an ITF Grade A junior competition since Australian sporting idol Ash Barty won the Wimbledon Juniors in 2011.
Emerson Jones, 15, took out the prestigious Osaka Mayor’s Cup after defeating Russian opponent Kristiana Sidorova in straight sets (7-6, 7-5).
The victory means Jones is one step closer to following the path of former world number one and three-time Grand Slam singles champion Ash Barty.
NOTE: Categorised as a J500 event, the Osaka Mayor’s Cup shares status with ITF Grade A competitions.
Despite the praise received on social media, Jones was unaware of the history-making achievement.
She said it is honour to be considered on par with the Aussie icon.
“It is such an inspiration to try and follow in her footsteps.
“She’s a great player, I’ve always loved watching her.”
The teen’s Osaka Mayor’s performance pushed her into the top 10 for junior world rankings, the highest ranked Australian junior out of boys and girls singles, with 1842.5 points.
Jones, now a member of the National Academy and working under world-renowned coach David Taylor, picked up her first racket at four years old has not looked back since.
With an ITF Grade A and top 10 ranking ticked off her list, Jones has one more major achievement on the cards: turning pro.
While athletes can wait to age-out of juniors at 18, Jones is eager to get going onto the big stage earlier.
“Normally you can go before that … I won’t be waiting until I’m 18.”
“I’m playing women’s competitions on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, just trying to make my way into it,” she said.
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