Party after Barty: These teenagers could put Australian women’s tennis back on the map

She earned an Australian Open wild card with an impressive three-tournament run in November, winning the title and reaching the final and semi-finals.

That form continued as Jones dispatched world No.43 Tatjana Mario in Brisbane on Monday night, her second career top-50 scalp, in addition to reaching the final round of qualifying at Wimbledon and the US Open last year.

She then raced to a 3-0 lead over 17th seed Liudmila Samson on Wednesday – almost 12 months after facing Elena Rybakin in her Australian Open debut – before losing 6-4, 6-1.

Jones wants to be where Samson is, but was reminded where he needs to improve.

Already boasting a world-class backhand, the Australian teenager matched Samsonova from the baseline after part of the clash, but the taller and physically stronger Russian routinely outscored her by 20km/h or more.

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“I feel like my serve has definitely improved because I’m playing for the women, just because I have to,” Jones said.

“It’s fine in the juniors, but when you move from the juniors you have to take the next step to the women’s. I think playing in the top-20 [opponent] is another step up from playing in the top 50 … when you take that next step up, things just have to get a little bit better.”

That’s where Jones’ trainer Carlos Cuadrado comes in.

Jones is an excellent athlete — her mother, Loretta Harrop, won a world title and Olympic silver in the triathlon, so her genetics are strong — but she’s closer to Barty than Aryna Sabalenka or Rybakina, so the plan is to become as accurate a server as possible and gradually add power as she matures.

Cuadrado knows what it’s like to be a child prodigy, having won the boys’ title at Roland-Garros in 2001, including defeating former world No. 8 Janko Tipsarevic en route, before injuries hit his career hard.

He has since worked with top 20 stars Svetlana Kuznetsova, Daniela Hantuchova and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, but rates Jones as the best competitor he has coached.

“I’ve never had a player compete as well as her and be able to raise her level in the most important moments of the match,” Cuadrado said.

“I think it’s something that can’t be taught, but she’s done it and we’re fearlessly focused on development and I don’t want to put pressure on her, but our goal is to try to get into the top 100 this year, which I think is realistic. I wouldn’t be surprised if she does better, so we’ll see.”

Jones wants it to happen quickly, but is trying to be patient.

Teenagers such as Mirra Andreeva, Victoria Mboko, Joint and Iva Jovic are already in the top forty, while Tereza Valentová and Sara Bejlek also have double-digit positions. But they are all older than Jones, if only by months.

Jones clashed with 18-year-old Andreeva this week and the world number nine believes the aggressive Gold Coaster is “very talented” and destined to be a great player.

“I always wanted to do things when I was young,” Jones said.

“I’ve played junior tournaments with Mirra and you look at Maya as well, so of course it’s possible. [to succeed at an early age]especially in women [tennis] – and I think everyone knows that. But you have to have faith to do it.”

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