Australian Open 2025 LIVE updates: Roddick slams ‘social media hypocrite’ Kyrgios; De Minaur leads Aussie charge

Australian tennis great Ash Barty is encouraging Emerson Jones to give herself the “opportunity to dream” of a stunning upset win when the teen plays former finalist Elena Rybakina in a brutal Australian Open first-round match today.
Top young Australian prospect Jones, a wildcard recipient, drew world No.7 Rybakina in a daunting match-up for the 16-year-old.
Emerson Jones in action at the Adelaide International.Credit: Getty Images
Three-time major winner Barty says that in the early stages of her career, she didn’t shoot for the stars against opponents with high credentials.
“I never gave myself a chance,” says Barty. But the 2022 Australian Open winner says Jones should have a positive mindset against Rybakina.
“As a youngster, I was honestly terrified, and I didn’t give myself the opportunity to dream, or even give myself an opportunity that perhaps I could win,” Barty recalled at the inaugural Ash Barty Foundation invitational golf day.
“I never gave myself a chance. All grand slam draws are difficult, there is no easy match, but I really hope that a few of those girls and guys … can almost have the permission to play their best tennis, and give themselves a real shot.”