Sam Stosur set to retire after Australian Open
Australian tennis veteran Sam Stosur suggested she might be close to retiring after the Australian Open 2022.
Conceding that the next grand slam at Melbourne Park could be her last, Stosur, 37, said her heart was still determined to play but the touring years were starting to catch up with her.
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Although Stosur’s singles career hasn’t taken the leap many hoped for following her memorable 2011 US Open triumph over Serena Williams, her doubles career continues to flourish.
Hoping for a final “big summer” at Melbourne Park, Stosur told reporters on Thursday she hoped for one last shot at the main draw.
Stosur joked that her knees were “a bit sore” after returning to training recently, but added that she was determined to bow out on a high note.
“Chances are this will be the last time,” Stosur said.
“I just did my first day of comeback training today. I see how things are going.
“I did a little tour in preparation and I hope I have a big summer.
“My knees hurt a bit, but I did pretty well given that I had two weeks off.”
It seems the Brisbane faithful’s enthusiasm for the sport remains intact.
“I always love coming back to the pitch. The preseason can be a bit brutal, but I’ve done enough now that it doesn’t take too long to get back there,” she said.
Indeed, 2022 will effectively be the 22nd year of his brilliant professional career which is still thriving in doubles, even if collecting even the occasional simple wins these days has turned into a minefield.
Sam Stosur concerned about Peng Shuai’s “terrible” situation
After winning her opener against young Australian Destanee Aiava last year, Stosur has not won any of her eight round-level singles matches in 2021.
Yet she was still a force to be reckoned with in doubles as she won the US Open title and reached the season-ending WTA Finals with Zhang Shuai.
It is the fate of Zhang’s Chinese colleague, Peng Shuai, which currently focuses the minds of Stosur and his colleagues.
Concerns still surround Peng’s well-being after a long public absence since she accused a former senior politician of sexually assaulting her.
The only sightings of the 35-year-old were the video call orchestrated with Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, and the video broadcast by Chinese state media, which did not stop the WTA from continuing. to lobby for proof that she agrees.
“It’s a terrible story, what’s going on with Peng Shuai,” said Stosur, who has a long history with the Chinese player, the duo having played 10 times in singles on tour and many more times in doubles.
“From a player and tour perspective, we just want her to be safe and I hope everything is going well, but things are going and we just have to wait and see how it goes.
“We are all thinking of her and hope all will be well.”
With PAA
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