BRISBANE INTERNATIONAL

January 3, 2026

Emerson Jones

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Emerson, Happy New Year. How does it feel to be sitting here in Brisbane, beginning your season?

EMERSON JONES: Yeah, it's definitely great to start off with a tournament that's really close to home, so I'm really excited to play it. I didn't get to play it last year. So, yeah, I'm super excited.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. As you said, you're excited to start the year, but you're also coming off a really successful year, first full year playing a lot of tournaments, you've slashed your ranking by a lot. How different do you feel with that experience under your belt from 12 months ago?

EMERSON JONES: Definitely because I'm getting the opportunities again, and I played Adelaide last year and maybe again this year, so I think definitely coming back with the experience that I had last year, I think it gives me a bit more confidence this year to be able to believe in myself and maybe possibly win a couple of rounds.

Q. What did you learn from last year?

EMERSON JONES: Just to see the level, to be honest. Like, I hadn't really seen a top-100 or top-50 player before, and I got to play two. So, I mean, that's great for me, and I was 16. So I think definitely being that young and getting to see that, it's really good.

Q. How do you deal with obviously a lot more limelight on you, in the spotlight, and the pressure? Does it change how you prepare and go about things?

EMERSON JONES: No, not really. I don't really put too much pressure on myself, and there is no pressure here for me to win. So, yeah, I just, like I said, I don't really put pressure on myself, and I'm really excited to play.

Q. What are your goals this year? Brisbane tournament, big names. You must be looking forward to having a bit of the crowd support.

EMERSON JONES: Yeah, my goal this year is definitely, like always, to get my women's ranking up. I think that's always been my goal.

Yeah, I think definitely trying to believe in myself that I can win a couple of rounds at these opportunities that I'm getting given would be definitely my No. 1 goal for this summer.

Q. Have you thought about the Australian Open?

EMERSON JONES: Yeah, a tiny bit (smiling). I mean, there is quite a few big tournaments that I'm getting given. I'm trying not to get too ahead of myself (smiling).

Q. What have been the big learnings so far, rubbing shoulders with these stars you see walking around the hallways?

EMERSON JONES: Probably just, you know, seeing the way they play and they train. Even coming up against them, I definitely learned a lot of things playing them. So to learn that from a really young age, I think it's really important.

Q. Any thoughts on your first-round opponent, Tatjana Maria?

EMERSON JONES: I have seen her. I don't watch much tennis. I'm walking around here not really knowing many people.

Yeah, I have seen her play a couple of times, and I know she's got a couple of kids and I'm a kid, so yeah, I don't know. I know she's a great player and it's going to be really tough. Like every round here, they are all top 100, so it's definitely going to be a challenge for me, but I'm willing to give it my best shot, yeah.

Q. I wondered if you could comment on the vibe among the Australian women. Have they helped you in your career so far?

EMERSON JONES: Yeah, for sure. Like I was saying in the interview before, all the girls like pre-Ajla, they have all taken me in from a young age and been really lovely to me. It's great to, you know, have them here at tournaments like this, making me feel really comfortable and everything.

Yeah, definitely. And also, you look at Ash and how she played and, you know, the confidence she had on court, it's crazy. Same with Sam. I think definitely looking at those women, it's really inspiring.

Q. Was Ash an inspiration for you?

EMERSON JONES: Yeah, always, for sure she definitely was. I think it was two years ago I had a hit for her before I went to Junior Wimbledon, and just the advice she gave me, I really took it in. Yeah, it was so special to hear that from her.