Former world number 4 Sam Stosur has announced that she will retire from singles at the Australian Open. The 37-year-old Stosur received a wild card for the Australian Open. “I’m so excited and very grateful to be in my 20 th birthday in a couple of weeks.
AO to play. A huge thank you to @tennisaustralia for the opportunity to end my individual career at my home Grand Slam. It really means a lot to me to finish in front of my family, friends and Australian fans who have come to me through thick and thin.
I’m sure it will be a mix of emotions, but I wouldn’t want it any other way as I always thought I was going to play in Australia. I plan to play doubles for the rest of the year, but that will close the first chapter of my career, “Stosur said in an Instagram post.
Stosur has never reached the final stages in Melbourne
Stosur has won women’s and mixed doubles titles at Melbourne Park, but never singles. Stosur only managed to reach the round of 16 in Melbourne Park twice.
Stosur failed to make it past Australian Open qualifications in 2000 and 2001, but made his debut at the event in 2002 and has played at all of the Australian Open since then. Stosur’s resignation from singles at the Australian Open should come as no surprise as she hinted earlier this month that it could happen.
“The chances are good that it will be the last time,” said Stosur earlier this month. “Today I have my first day of training behind me. I see how things are going I had a bit of walking around in preparation and in the run-up to what would hopefully be a great summer.
My knees hurt a bit, but I hit pretty well considering I had two weeks off. ”
