Storm Hunter claims breakthrough Australian Open win over Sara Errani

Australian qualifier Storm Hunter has sealed at least a $180,000 pay day, just weeks after opening up about her struggles to survive on the tennis circuit.

Storm Hunter claimed a breakthrough Australian Open win against Italy's Sara Errani. Picture: AFP

Australian qualifier Storm Hunter has ranked winning an Olympic medal at this year’s Paris Games as a higher priority than ultimate grand slam success after her breakthrough singles victory at Melbourne Park.

The world No.1 doubles player, Hunter scored a $180,000 pay day after advancing to the second round of the Australian Open for the first time in her career.

Hunter claimed her maiden main draw singles win in her home slam at Melbourne Park after she dispatched Italian former world No.5 Sara Errani in straight sets, 6-4 6-3, on Kia Arena.

The 29-year-old threw her arms in the air to celebrate the victory, which she described as a “dream come true”.

Storm Hunter has been guaranteed a $180,000 pay day after her Australian Open first round triumph. Picture: AFP

“Honestly, that was perfect. I honestly couldn’t be happier to come out here on this beautiful day with the support,” Hunter said after her win.

“It means a lot. I grew up watching the Australian Open and I’ve had a lot of opportunities and I’m a little bit older and I’ve played a few main draws and never got through.

“To win my first round in singles is a dream come true. I’ve been waiting for it for a few years so (I’m) very happy to get it done here today.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play a lot of big matches in doubles and to finish number one in the world is insane. To come into my home slam, I am enjoying every moment.

“Definitely I want more”

Hunter has featured in the main singles draw at the Australian Open five times previously, but has bowed out each time in the first round.

The 29-year-old reached the top of the world’s doubles rankings with Belgian Elise Mertens last year, but has made improving her singles ranking (179) a priority in 2024.

Storm Hunter has signalled her ambition to improve her singles ranking. Picture: Michael Klein

Despite her singles breakthrough in her singles game, the patriotic Hunter said it was an Olympic medal rather than a grand slam trophy which she coveted the most.

“For me an Olympic medal is higher. For me, I think being an Australian athlete and an Australian growing up, that to me is everything,” Hunter said.

“Before I played tennis, I kind of wanted to be an Olympian. I played every single sport as a kid and kind of just fell into tennis and loved it when I picked up the racquet when I was six in Rocky (Rockhampton).

“That would mean the world (to win an Olympic medal). That would be a dream come true … because it’s not just for you, it’s for your country. Your name is one there, but it’s like you’ve done that for Australia and I’m a very proud Australian.

“I think I play my best tennis when I’m representing the green and gold. That would mean everything to me.”

Hunter will play unseeded German Laura Siegemund in the second round, but has already guaranteed an impressive pay cheque.

Storm Hunter dispatched the higher-ranked Italian Sara Errani in straight sets. Picture: AFP

Players who reach the second round of the are guaranteed $180,000, while Hunter would have to reach the final of the doubles at Melbourne Park to win more than $200,000.

Hunter has a packed schedule at the Open, playing singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

The left-hander told Code Insight late last year how she had just $1000 left in her bank account five years ago after she was sidelined with a shoulder injury before fighting back to climb to the top of the world doubles rankings in a career-best year in 2023.

From humble beginnings living above a pub in Rockhampton, Hunter thanked the sacrifices of her parents for helping her live out her tennis dreams.

“I grew up in a pub in Rockhampton. My parents had no money. They were hard workers,” Hunter said.

“They knew I had this dream, and they joined the military to try and give us a better life and a better opportunity.

“We relocated to WA. I spent a lot of time in my childhood not seeing my parents because they were sacrificing their time with me and my brother to give us that support.

“I kind of feel like I owe it to them as well because they sacrificed a lot for me and my brother.

“They’ve always been so supportive of my career and I think (they) believed in me more than I ever believed in myself, especially my dad. He was always saying, ‘You can do it, you can do it. I’m, like, I don’t know if I can do it, to be honest’.

“I feel really lucky that I have people around me that I think believe more in me than I believe in myself. I guess now with my doubles, I’m trying to use that to believe in myself more on the singles court as well.”

Originally published as Storm Hunter claims breakthrough Australian Open win over Sara Errani