Ready to make the switch
12 Jun 2009
There was no time for lavish celebrations following Sam Stosur’s semifinals appearance at the French Open last week. Instead, the 25-year-old Queenslander toasted her greatest achievement at a major to date with pizza and a glass of wine.
With the grasscourt season underway over the Channel, the new world No.18 had no time to stop and enjoy her achievement in the French capital – she had bags to pack and a plane to catch.
Stosur isn’t one to get ahead of herself. After missing most of 2007 and part of 2008 through illness, the Australian No.1 has learnt that it’s better to focus on the present than try and look too far into the future.
In keeping with this philosophy, Stosur says she hasn’t made any predictions or set any specific goals for the next upcoming major: Wimbledon.
The grasscourt Grand Slam hasn’t been kind to Stosur in the past. She’s never made it past the second round, something the French Open semifinalist is hoping to change this year.
“I hope this year I can get a lot further. I think I’m a lot more mature with my game and really know what I want to be doing now. Hopefully this year can be the year when I can hopefully get past the second round and go on from there.”
Following her recent success, Stosur is full of confidence as she prepares to tackle the grass courts of Eastbourne next week before making her way to Wimbledon, which begins on June 22.
Stosur says that she enjoys playing on grass, but isn’t as comfortable on the surface as she is on others. Despite this, she’s happy with her preparation to date.
“I think the preparation for Wimbledon is going quite well so far.
“All Australians love playing Wimbledon because it’s Wimbledon. I think it’s the pinnacle of our sport and I think any player, if they could choose to win a title, they would like to win Wimbledon.”
Last year, Stosur experienced success in the mixed doubles at the All England Club, teaming with American Bob Bryan to win the event. However, she wasn’t so lucky on the singles court.
Her second round loss to Czech Nicole Vaidisova still dredges up bad feelings. Stosur had established a 4-1 lead in the third set and looked certain to book her spot in the third round when Vaidisova managed to turn the tables on the Australian.
“I’m trying to not let things like that happen ever again and that really hurt me,” says Stosur when asked about the loss.
Since then Stosur has tried to become a more consistent player, something she proved she is capable of at Roland Garros this year.
“I think I can definitely improve from where I’m at now and I think I’ve been playing some of my best tennis, but I know there’s things I can still improve [and] I think that’s exciting more than anything.”
Tags: eastbourne, French Open, Sam Stosur, Wimbledon
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