18-year-old Maya Joint is soaking up the valuable and whirlwind experience in Málaga ahead of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for Australia.
The Aussies are preparing to face Slovakia in the quarter-finals later tonight at 8pm AEDT live on 9Gem and 9Now, with the winner to face either Canada or Great Britain.
Team captain Samantha Stosur has selected Ajla Tomljanović, Olivia Gadecki, Daria Saville, Kimberly Birrell and Ellen Perez in the hope of claiming Australia's first BJK Cup title since 1974.
Still in the early days of her career, Joint is with the team as an Orange Girl, a tradition reserved for a promising player.
The teenager is studying at the University of Texas with an interest in psychology and criminology, revealing the surreal moment she learned about the call-up.
"I was actually in the middle of an exam and Sam called me. She told me I was going to be the Orange Girl and I was super excited. It's an honour to be here," Joint told Tennis Australia.
Having started 2024 ranked No.684 in singles, Joint has sky-rocketed 565 places in the rankings up to world No.119.
Consistency has played a major role in her sensational rise, winning two lower-event titles, qualifying for the singles main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time at the US Open and winning her first singles Grand Slam main draw match in New York.
Now presented with the opporutnity to learn from a strong contingent of Aussies, Joint is taking it in her stride.
"I've been doing a lot of doubles practice with Ellen (Perez) [and] did some singles points with Liv (Gadecki) and Kim (Birrell), so it's been a great high-level of practicing," she said.
"I'm super excited to come see them play and compete on Sunday.
"I've loved being around the girls so much. They've been so nice, helpful and supportive. It's been great."
Despite damaging floods wreaking havoc in the Spanish city, there is still a positive vibe around the tennis complex, with the world's best players ready to stamp their mark.
"The atmosphere has been crazy," Joint admitted. "I mean, hitting next to Iga Świątek... I don't know if I'll be able to do that again."
Born in Michigan in the United States, the emerging talent opted to switch allegiance to Australia, her father's nationality - a decision which Joint has no regrets about.
"It's my first time in the green and gold and it just feels right," she proudly shared.
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