Australian Open Round 2: Sam Stosur finishes singles career with loss to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

As the final curtain drew on Sam Stosur’s singles career, there was nothing but pride. Here’s how it ended for the Aussie champ, whose mark on tennis will remain forever.

Sam Stosur was overjoyed with her first-round victory on Tuesday. Picture: AFP

With a lump in the throat and a lap of Kia Arena, it was over.

Sam Stosur’s singles career drew to a close on Thursday, but her mark on Australian tennis will remain forever.

When the 37-year-old made the call in December that the home major would be her last in singles competition, Stosur knew it would be a “mix of emotions”, but as the final curtain drew, there was nothing but pride.

“I’ve done more than I ever thought was possible,” Stosur said.

“I dreamed of winning a grand slam and doing close to the things I did. So to do what I’ve done dreaming of as a little kid, it’s phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for any more.

“It’s been amazing.”

Her partner, Liz, was courtside, as were her parents Dianne and Tony.

Daughter Evie, just 18 months old, watched on from home. At least, Stosur hoped she did.

“I hope you’re awake and hello to you!,” she said post-match.

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Thanks for everything, Sam!

Spending more time with Evie will be a silver lining to stepping away from singles, with both women’s and mixed doubles competitions still on the schedule.

It was a 6-2 6-2 loss for the 2011 US Open winner, with 10th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova just too strong in their second round clash.

It almost didn’t seem to matter, as the home crowd rose and players from Australia and abroad joined in tribute to one of the country’s most respected players.

“She’s an Australian champion, plain and simple,” world No. 1 Ash Barty said in a video presentation shown on court.

“She has set the tone for us Aussies as tennis players for years and years.”

Stosur takes everything in after what was her final singles match.

They’re friends, compatriots, training partners and opponents, with Stosur respected by all, as Australian Ajla Tomljanovic put it, “the example of what a true champion should be, on and off the court”.

“To hear that ... it kind of gives you goosebumps a little bit,” Stosur smiled.

“I thought that about Steffi Graf and Monica Seles when I was growing up. They’re incredible.

“If someone’s ever looked up to the way I played or anything that I’ve done, then I think that’s the ultimate kind of accolade really.

“I think that’s incredible for someone to say.”

The Queenslander, who now lives in Melbourne, wouldn’t change much.

There’s been years of training, of travel, of wins, of losses. And there’s that US Open win, over Serena Williams, in 2011.

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Stosur with her family after the match. Picture: Michael Klein.

There were 69 wins at majors in the end, and a top ranking of world No. 4.

The one that got away might be the French Open, she admitted, instead choosing to adopt an “everything happens for a reason” mentality to falling short in the 2010 final at Roland Garros.

“I’d love to go back and win the French,” Stosur said.

“Maybe losing that match helped me win the US Open. You don’t know.

“That was certainly a tournament where, I mean, besides winning the US Open, Roland Garros was probably my most successful grand slam. I’ve got many good memories there of playing great players, somehow getting through those matches, having great results there. I’ve always loved playing over there.

“Maybe a French Open title would have been nice. Doesn’t matter.”

Her performances in Australia have always been a talking point — Stosur knows that, and acknowledged she “was never able to play my best tennis here in Australia”.

“I’m proud of what I’ve been able to do,” she said.

“I’ve always felt support from the public. Even if I’m in the supermarket, I’ve had that many people over the years come up to me and say, ‘Congratulations, love watching you play’, all that sort of thing.

“I’ve never felt it from that point of view from the fans, so it’s been a nice ride. I think playing out on that court the last two days, I really felt the support from everyone. That was a really nice way to I guess go out and feel that.”

A Sam selfie for the lucky few.

Tournament director Craig Tiley paid tribute to the Australian and presented her with flowers and a Louis Vuitton branded gift.

“Thanks for everything. Thanks for being Sam Stosur, and thank you for the difference that you have made to our great game,” Tiley said.

Minutes later, Western Australian Maddison Inglis stamped the next generation’s presence on the home major, progressing to the third round. Sliding doors.

Stosur said she had thought at match point to “run for everything as hard as you can, draw it out as long as possible”.

“(Pavlyuchenkova) was too good today. Had me high on the backhand which she knows I don’t like.

“But it was great to play out here again, thank you everyone for coming out. It’s really a special moment for me, so thanks for coming and sharing it.”

2011 US Open singles champion
20 years of #AusOpen memories.
69 Grand Slam appearances.
A career high ranking of world No.4

Thank you @bambamsam30 for the incredible memories.#AusOpen · #AO2022pic.twitter.com/ycfyfKVRhs

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 20, 2022

"They're really trying to make us cry," Sam Stosur said with a laugh. It worked over here! https://t.co/QriqkhgMQ7

— Lauren Wood (@LaurenHeraldSun) January 20, 2022

Australians to defeat Serena Williams in a Grand Slam…

2x
Sam #Stosur
🇫🇷 2010 QF
🇺🇸 2011 F

0x
The rest

A magnificent career.#AusOpen

— Joshua Kay (@js_kay) January 20, 2022

Finally free: Stosur ready to stun on farewell tour

- Marc McGowan

Freedom is a good look on Sam Stosur.

Free of the expectation. Free of the crippling, and often unfair, criticism. Free of the burden on herself.

And free to put on one last show that might make once-a-year Australian tennis fans look beyond what they saw only at Melbourne Park.

Or, at least give them a lasting memory of refreshing positivity that Stosur, who announced in December this would be her final singles tournament, was rarely afforded at home.

Weighed down by suffocating and mounting pressure in conditions that never maximised her strengths, she exited the Australian Open in the first round eight times in her previous 19 trips.

Sam Stosur was overjoyed with her first-round victory on Tuesday. Picture: AFP

Stosur needs to own much of that, because it’s not a record that befits the great player she has been – and make no mistake, she’s been a great player.

They don’t hand out grand slam singles titles or top-five rankings. She is, for all her faults, a national tennis treasure.

But deep down, the harsh critiques from those who should support Stosur most were borne from wanting so desperately for her to do well.

That much was obvious in the outpouring of joy, relief and well wishes after Stosur’s first-round victory over 169th-ranked American wildcard Robin Anderson.

She seemed more willing to show positive emotion in key moments and generally looked like she was in her element – in stark contrast to the tortured soul we sometimes witnessed.

Sam Stosur rode a wave of emotions in her win over American wildcard Robin Anderson. Picture: Michael Klein

Stosur did tell us this would be the summer of enjoyment for her.

“It’s sort of easier, because it’s kind of like, ‘This is your last chance’. If you don’t do it now, you’re never going to have another opportunity to do it,” she said.

“Kind of like back’s against the wall, this is it. I’ve been wanting to try to find that in my tennis for a couple of years now.

“I think when you’re chasing something – even though it’s not about that – it’s always in the back of your mind, ‘I’ve got to do well here, your ranking is not going in the right direction’, all that sort of stuff.

“It doesn’t always allow that to happen. I feel like the last month or so, since I decided this is what I wanted to do, I’ve kind of found that.”

It wasn’t only Sam Stosur who revelled in her Australian Open success. Picture: AFP

There’s something sad about Stosur unlocking the formula as the end rapidly approaches, rather than in her prime when others made their mind up on her.

But those same people always should have factored in the whole resume rather than just the Australian Open or even Wimbledon.

Stosur will step out again on Thursday, against familiar foe Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, knowing it might be her last time on a singles court.

If it is, she goes out knowing she is finally free.