16-year old Emerson Jones triumphs as Family Connection Takes Center Stage

World number one junior Emerson Jones made her Far North debut on Wednesday, but for the 16-year old with a bright future, it was an acknowledgment of the past shared with her older brother that was at the forefront of her performance.

National Tennis Academy players Hayden and Emerson Jones at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Brisbane. Photo credit: Tennis Australia/ Jason OBrien

World number one junior Emerson Jones made her Far North debut at the Cairns Tennis International on Wednesday morning with a 6-3, 6-4 straight sets victory over fellow Australian Belle Thompson.

Emerson Jones of Australia returns a shot against Alena Kovackova of Czech Republic during their Junior Girls' Singles Second Round match on Day Eight of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 02, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Jamie Squire/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by JAMIE SQUIRE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

For the 16-year old with a bright future, it was an acknowledgment of the past shared with her older brother that was at the forefront of her performance.

The Gold Coaster is enjoying the opportunity to go on tour alongside her older brother Hayden Jones.

Hayden, 18, is working to step out of the junior events and build up his professional ranking as the sharp server looks towards the 2025 Australian Open.

Although the Queensland duo have set foot on some of the most prestigious courts around the world, Hayden said the Cairns International tennis centre had a sentimental connection for him and his little sister.

“My grandmother used to train up here and has her name on the championship board,” he said.

“She actually is coming up to watch us (play) and I thought it would be cool to (compete) up here.”

Emerson Jones (AUS) during the French Open 2024 at Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France 2024. Photo by Tennis Australia/Mark Peterson

Bernice Asplin made the honour board at the Cairns International Tennis Centre in 1961 with her name proudly among the likes of Roy Emerson, Tom Horn, Geoff Masters, Scott Draper, Mark Draper and Adam Walton.

An impressive list of Queensland legends in the tennis landscape.

Asplin will be courtside for the tournament as a proud grandmother hoping her grandchildren make their own mark in the sport she cherishes, adding another chapter to their family’s rich tennis history.

Emerson shared the enthusiasm of having a tournament surrounded with her family.

“It’s great going to tournaments with my brother. When we were young, I didn’t get to see him much but now we are basically doing the same tournaments, like we are here in Cairns and it’s pretty (great),” she said.

The general public can head along to the tournament and watch Australia’s best up-and-coming talent for free, running from September 29 to 13 October.