Joint will be the Australian Open's 31st or 32nd seed after defeats for two of her chasing rivals on Thursday left it mathematically impossible for the 19-year-old to drop out of the world's top 32 before next week's draw.
Provisionally slated to rise to a career-high No.31 on Monday, or remain 32nd if American Iva Jovic continues her run in Auckland, Joint's elevated status ensures Australia's top-rated female player won't face a higher-ranked opponent until at least the third round at the year's first major.
Joint will follow Barty, who topped the AO draw for three straight years before famously winning the Open in 2022, former US Open champion Samantha Stosur, Daria Saville, Casey Dellacqua and Alicia Molik as only the only the sixth Australian women's Open seed in 36 years. Â
The classy Barty, typically, was the first to salute the emerging star.
"Exciting for Maya to be seeded at a slam for the first time, particularly at home in Australia," the triple grand slam champ and former world No.1 told AAP on Thursday night.
"A testament to her hard work, professionalism and consistency over the past 12 months.
"I love watching her play and can't wait to see her in Melbourne."
Had Anna Kalinskaya not blown a handy third-set lead against world No.4 Jessica Pegula in Brisbane and dual grand slam winner Barbora Krejcikova not suffered a United Cup loss to Elise Mertens on Thursday night, Joint would have been under siege.
The US-born talent would have needed to upset reigning Wimbledon champion and world No.2 Iga Swiatek in Australia's United Cup quarter-final against Poland on Friday night to secure a prized Open seeding.
But now the home favourite can play with added freedom against the six-time grand slam winner under the bright lights of Sydney's Ken Rosewall Arena.
Despite trouncing Joint 6-0 6-2 in Seoul in September, Swiatek is wary of what the exciting young Australian can bring to the court.
"Every match is a different story," Swiatek said.
"I kind of know what her ball feels like, but I'm pretty sure she also learned by also knowing how my ball feels like.
"I will need to prepare tactically by watching these last matches that she played and I'll be ready."
Now a six-time grand slam winner. Swiatek suspects Joint will relish playing her, just as she did when first coming up against Barty as a teenager.
"I remember actually playing against Ash. I could feel how good she is when she was No.1 and so solid and and she really inspired me, actually," Swiatek said.
"So, being an underdog and being this up-and-coming player with this freshness that you have, I think it's great and it's a moment where you improve your game the most.
"I just tried to play my best as an underdog and, honestly, it was pretty fun. I miss those days."
Joint's Cup teammate and men's world No.6 Alex de Minaur will be the only other Australian singles seed in next Thursday's Open draw at Melbourne Park.
