Stosur to end singles career at Aust Open
Murray Wenzel |
The Australian Open will be Samantha Stosur’s singles farewell.
The 2011 US Open champion will continue to play doubles next year, but on Wednesday night confirmed her 20th singles appearance at Melbourne Park will be her last.
The former world No.4 was the top-ranked Australian singles player – male or female – for 441 consecutive weeks between 2008 and 2017, and was ranked inside the top 25 for nine straight years.
“I’m so excited and very grateful to play in my 20th AO in a couple of weeks’ time,” the 37-year-old wrote on Instagram.
“A huge thank you to @tennisaustralia for giving me this opportunity to finish my singles career at my home grand slam.
“It really means a lot to me to be able to finish in front of my family, friends and Aussie fans who have stuck by me through thick and thin.
“I’m sure it’s going to be a mix of emotions but I wouldn’t want it any other way as I always thought I’d finish playing in Australia.
“I do however plan to play the rest of the year in doubles but this will close the first chapter of my career.”
The Australian is currently ranked No.382 in the world after a 2021 campaign that saw her play just 11 singles matches and left her needing a wildcard to feature again next year.
The five-time Olympian has never gone beyond the fourth round of her home grand slam but forged an incredible career abroad.
Stosur trounced Serena Williams 6-2 6-3 to lift the trophy at Flushing Meadows in 2011, bringing on one of the American’s infamous on-court tirades.
A French Open final and three semi-final appearances, as well as two US Open quarter-finals, populate a career timeline that also includes the 2021 US Open among four grand slam doubles titles and three more mixed doubles titles.
In total she has won 40 titles on the WTA Tour.
AAP