Welcome to my new website!

Welcome to my new website!

24 Aug 2008

Sam Stosur at a Fed Cup press conference

Hi everyone, welcome to my new website. We’ll be adding lots of features as the year progresses and keep you up-to-date with news and great photos about my adventures on Tour.

Well, the Beijing Olympics have come to an end for me and the rest of the tennis group. As I write I am sitting in JFK airport in New York waiting for a flight home. The last 24 hours have not been so much fun since leaving the village. Our flight from Beijing to JFK had no entertainment system on it, but luckily nearly 10 of the 14 hour flight I slept anyway. Once getting here standing at the baggage carousel I heard my name being announced over the loud speaker… I knew it wasn’t a good sign. Turns out my suitcase didn’t manage to make the flight and is still in Beijing! To top it off my next flight home was cancelled due to the hurricane heading towards Tampa so have rebooked to an earlier flight to another airport a couple of hours away. At least I will make it home today! Quite funny, Stubbsy and I are sitting in the food court with a bunch of other people at 2am waiting for our flight… Thank god for wireless!!

The Olympics was incredible! Obviously it was disappointing to lose in the singles and doubles so early but that’s the only disappointing part of my whole Game’s experience. As much as I still wanted to be out there competing I got out and saw as many sports as I could. I ended up seeing-beach volleyball twice, softball twice, rowing, swimming and the men’s 100m final.

It was great to see Michael Phelps win his 8th gold medal, wow what a swimmer! Have you all seen my picture with him? The Aussies did well on the final day of the swimming too, picked up a gold, silver and 3 bronze I think.

I loved seeing all the sports but I have to say the rowing was great to watch. I went to that with Dave and didn’t really know what it would be like before getting there. We hired a bike each and rode the course as the boats made their way down. It was so funny to be in a pack of other athletes and the coaches chasing the boats to the end. My heart went out to all the guys and girls in the Aussie teams that competed there but didn’t win medals. They didn’t finish as high as I’m sure they would have liked to and I could tell how disappointed they were. It really showed how much the Olympics means to the athletes involved.

I’ll be enjoying a couple of days at home now before heading back up to NYC at the end of the week. I’m looking forward to playing at Flushing Meadows again and will be great to have the support of my mum and dad and younger brother there cheering me on.

Thanks for reading….Make sure to come back and check out my updates and my new website during the US Open. For now, it’s over and out – Sam

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  • Stuart
    Sam,

    Who am I to add to advise offered by anyone bearing the name "Hoad". But to reinforce the point, there is no rush.Perhaps because you also have a doubles commitment you are keen to wrap your singles matches in quick time.And there is little doubt you can by taking time to think your way through the points that matter.Like those that got away in Sydney, in Melbourne and again in Dubai yesterday when the match was yours for the taking.

    We all know you have the game and stamina to do it.In fact it would appear the only person who has a doubt is you. So let's end the self doubt and as Des and Frank have urged "Believe in yourself" and the rest will follow.

    Next step - a quarter final win.

    Stuart
  • des & fran hoad
    Well done on your first round win. Nice to see a player smiling as they come onto the main arena. Regarding your first game you looked fairly anxious, especially when it got tight.

    You were rushing your serve,and rushing between points, like you had a bus to catch. Enjoy the moment. Watch Nadal when he serves - he takes the appropriate amount of time prior to serving to ascertain where in the square he will put the ball. You must play your first serve as if you are striving for excellence each time, which is what should be going through your mind.

    To take away your anxiety, when seated between shots, put your right hand over your left hand and let your thumb drop to feel the pulse on your left wrist. Take a slow, deep breath and as you quietly breathe out, make your pulse slow down. Do this 3 times. After the third time, you will be totally relaxed. Loosen your jaw muscles and you will be less tense. Remember, she's just as nervous as you, but you must remain in control.

    Enjoy the challenge of the game rather than the pressure.
    You've got the serve, you're obviously a great volley player because of your doubles experience. You have a good forehand and backhand. Hewitt is the best lob player in the mens' game - get him to show you how it is done and add that to your repertoire. Try slicing the ball, running into the net for a volley, mixing it up for your opponent - but remember, don't over-cook the ball. Your job is to place the ball on your opponent's side of the court so that a rally can eventuate, and when that happens commit yourself to the placement of the ball.

    Take your shot and remember: once I hit this ball, the moment is gone forever. Always try learning from your mistakes and give yourself a wry smile if you play a shot badly and strive to improve on the next shot.

    Every time you play an opponent, find out their weak spots during the first set, e.g. if playing Serena Williams, she is a big woman, so move her from side to side on the court and make her run: she will make an error first, if you consistently get your ball in.

    Best of luck on Thursday. Remember - one game at a time.
    Des & Fran Hoad (remember: the great Lew Hoad is watching over you!)

    Believe in yourself and you will succeed.
  • David
    Bad luck about the singles loss in sydney.
    Better luck in the doubles.

    Regards David
  • David
    Hi

    Like the new site, would be better if recent comments were at the top. Hope it will show future tournament intentions.

    Best wishes

    D
  • Sarah
    Hi Sam,

    I was at your doubles game yesterday against the sisters. I was giving my best Aussie cheers for you! It was a fantastic game and you and Lisa played some wonderful tennis.

    Congratulations on the win and good luck for the rest of the tournament!

    Sarah
  • Miguel
    Hi Sam!!
    you are my new favourite tennis player, after Michelle Larcher de Brito (only because i am portuguese =) ). i saw you in the wimbledon semis and final in the mixed doubles and you are a great player.. a true example for everyone!! you should come to portugal next year for Estoril Open, its great =)
    kisses and goodluck with everything
    Miguel*
  • Andrew
    Awesome new site Sam! Good luck against the Bondarenkos in the doubles, hopefully you can beat them. I'm looking forward to your Asian campaign and the rest of the season! Smash em Sam!
  • Dennis Cooper
    I too would like to hear your story about Lyme disease. Did you contract it in the US? How did you discover that you had it and how was it treated? Glad you have recovered and hope you have a great year.
    Dennis
  • Stephe
    Good job getting the lovely site up and running.
    Good luck in the doubles.
    Smash 'em Sammy!
  • bec
    oooo shiny new site. Tried our best to get shouty in support in ashe, but seats were a little too high :0(
  • Nick
    Sam, you played a great game!..you had venus on her heals for a bit. I'm sure the doubles will go alot better for you. Goodluck
    -Nick

    ps:your beautiful
  • Hector Gonzalez
    Hi Sam,

    I´m an Spanish guy and your new number one´s fan in Madrid Sapin. I´m watching on tv your game against Venus. (US OPEN), and I hope you win....it´s too late in Spain (2:30 am).

    Good luck and if you come to Spain, It´will be a pleasure to invite you and your friends to some "tapas"...

    Best!

    Hector
  • Sonya
    Samantha,
    I was just watching you play Venus Williams on tv and they said you just recovered from Lyme Disease. I have been treated for it for 3 months now and have had it undiagnosed for 30 years.

    How long did you have it for (if in fact you did), and any words of advice?

    Glad to see you have fully recovered :).
    You look great.
    Sonya
  • Ice
    Good luck Sam. Hope you have a really good tournament. Cheers
  • maite
    Hi Sam!!

    What a great experience!!!
    Good Luck in the US Open.

    Nice website!
  • Elaine
    Can't wait for the site to be finished, it's looking good.Good luck against Venus.You can beat her.
  • Sam
    Nice to see the new site up and running. Good luck in the US Open.

    I hope that hurricane hasn't churned up the sea too much as I am on holiday in Cape Coral in middle of September.
  • Nick
    Great site Sam! Best of luck for the US Open
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