Aussie super-coach David Taylor says Emerson Jones could be better than Ash Barty

He’s mentored world No.1s Martina Hingis and Naomi Osaka, among countless stars, and taken Sam Stosur to US Open glory but David Taylor has never encountered a tennis player quite like Emerson Jones.

“She’s the most naturally talented player I’ve worked with,” Taylor told AAP, without hesitation, ahead of the Australian teenage sensation’s much-anticipated grand slam debut in Melbourne.

“I’ve obviously coached a lot of top-20 players but, natural talent, I put her there with (former French Open champion Jelena) Ostapenko with probably a bit of a better work ethic than Ostapenko.”

For a coach not known for hyperbole and who once pleaded with fans and media not to overburden a young Ash Barty with expectation, Taylor’s glowing endorsement is testament to the 16-year-old’s immense potential.

And few would know of Jones’ potential better than Taylor, who nurtured the Gold Coaster all the way to her current status as Australia’s first-ever year-end junior world No.1.

“Incredible hand-eye coordination, just amazing feel of the ball and she can generate so much pace off both wings naturally,” he said.

“She’s not physically imposing, but has incredible fast hands that you really cannot teach, an amazing idea of where the racquet face is at contact - all just very natural.”

Jones, who made the Australian Open and Wimbledon girls’ finals last year, is already, inevitably, drawing comparisons to Barty.

“Very different players,” Taylor said.

“Ash Barty is an absolute genius, the way how she understands and reads the game and just naturally has a much broader repertoire and it’s really extraordinary how she’s got an absolute tennis brain of the highest order.

“This is not Emerson. Emerson’s more just absolute ball striking, and courageous. She’s exciting to watch, just a firecracker who can really hit winners.”

Taylor, who finished up with Jones in late 2024 to take on a lucrative role with the Beijing Sports Management Team, only stumbled across the junior prodigy by accident.

“I first saw her a couple of years ago down here, these two little blonde kids hitting indoors every day,” he said at Melbourne Park.

“And then and I thought, ‘Jeez, they hit the ball well’ and I went up and it was Cruz Hewitt and Emerson Jones.

“Then I actually asked Des Tyson, who was coaching (her brother) Hayden Jones, and I said, ‘Look, can I get a hit with this little girl?’”

After putting her through a series of drills, Taylor went straight to National Training Academy boss Brent Larkham to insist the 14-year-old be swiftly admitted to the NTA program.

“So they actually changed the rules and got her in there early,” said Taylor, who believes being the daughter of former world triathlon champion Loretta Harrop and one-time Brisbane Bears AFL triallist Brad Jones has helped set her apart.

“The mother and father are so elite-minded. The mum, obviously one of the greatest triathletes Australia’s produced.

“So organised and professional. Everything they’ve done, it reminds me of when I coached Andy Roddick as a child and how Blanche and Jerry, Roddick’s parents, were so elite in how they managed their son.

“The Joneses a really good parallel with the high standards they set trying to get Emerson there.

“Not since I had Sam (for seven years) has a player put in 100 per cent every single session like she did. The work ethic was off the charts.”

Asked if it is too soon to hail Jones is a grand slam champion in the making, Taylor said “it’s possible”.

“Look, you’d have to say she’s ticking the boxes,” he said.

“That’s so far away though, isn’t it to win a grand slam? It’s not an easy feat.

“We haven’t had many. We’ve had Sam and Ash in the last 30 years but, yeah, it’s a possibility for sure.”