Aussie star Sam Stosur’s amazing Australian Open milestone

Any doubt about a veteran Aussie star’s singles involvement in next month’s Australian Open is over thanks to tournament officials.

Sam Stosur will line up in another Australian Open. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Tennis great Sam Stosur will play in a 20th Australian Open singles main draw next month – matching Lleyton Hewitt’s titanic effort – thanks to a wildcard.

Tennis Australia chief executive and Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said on Wednesday the call to award Stosur, 37, a wildcard was “a no-brainer”.

Her singles ranking has tumbled to No.381 – more than 100 places outside the qualifying cut-off – but she is fresh from winning another grand slam doubles title at the US Open in September.

Only world No.1 Ash Barty has surpassed Stosur’s significant achievements among Australian women in the past four decades.

Tiley said the wildcard decision was not a parting gift for the 2011 US Open singles champion, who has indicated she would at least continue to play this year beyond the Melbourne Park event.

Sam Stosur (right) won this year’s US Open women’s doubles title with China’s Shuai Zhang and has received a singles wildcard into the Australian Open. Picture: Getty Images

“She’s just outside the rankings to get in directly, and I’ve been on the journey with Sam for a long time – since 2006 – and she deserves it,” Tiley said.

“She’s a grand slam champion, she’s a legend of Australian tennis … and we’d love her to advance and finish (her career) on a strong note.

“But Sam loves playing the game. I wouldn’t be surprised if she keeps playing, but she’s said this is probably going to be the end, so we’ll see.

“We’re very proud of the fact that she has this opportunity.”

Stosur joins Storm Sanders, Maddison Inglis and Daria Saville as the local wildcards so far, with American Robin Anderson and France’s Diane Parry recipients of reciprocal wildcards from their federations.

Stosur remains a revered figure in Australian tennis circles, particularly for someone such as 23-year-old Inglis, who grew up watching her play.

“Sam was definitely my idol growing up,” Inglis said.

Sam Stosur advanced to round two at this year’s Australian Open. Picture: Getty Images

“I absolutely loved watching her and I was lucky enough to play and train with her for some of this year, which has been awesome.

“She’s had an amazing career – she’s won a slam and still doing incredible things – so I think this is awesome for her and she deserves it.”

Saville (nee Gavrilova) has played in the Billie Jean King Cup alongside Stosur and they have become close friends.

“She’s kind of my mentor and whenever I have a few doubts, I feel like I can always have a conversation with Sam,” Saville said.

“I’ve always loved being on tour with Sam and since coming to Australia (from Russia); seeing her working out at the tennis centre always amazed me with how hard she works.

“I’m really excited to watch her play.”

Originally published as Aussie star Sam Stosur’s amazing Australian Open milestone