Meanwhile, Jones also shows off how tennis ‘fits can be worked into off-court style in her first-ever photo shoot. While she may be primed to be a future face of Australian women’s tennis following the retirement of former world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, the former junior world No. 1 confesses she’s not thinking too much about the pressure that comes with that promise.
But she’s already making her presence felt on tour, even if she’s still limited in playing time due to age eligibility rules. In the first round of the Brisbane International, Jones defeated Tatjana Maria—the mother of two who’s 21 years her senior—for her second career win at WTA main-draw level. Her first came last year, also on home soil, when she defeated then-world No. 37 Wang Xinyu in Adelaide.
Naturally, Jones cannot avoid comparisons to Barty, who is quoted in the Vogue piece. The three-time Grand Slam champion cautions fans to have patience with the teenager, and let her develop on her own time, but also praises her play.
“She’s certainly exciting to watch—a joy when in full flight,” Barty says.
