Sam Stosur has said farewell to tennis.
She and Matthew Ebden lost their first round mixed doubles match against Demi Schuurs and Nikola Mektic on day six of the Australian Open.
After winning the first set, Stosur and Ebden couldn’t continue that momentum and ultimately went down 4-6, 6-3, 10-6.
LIVE UPDATES: Australian Open day six
READ MORE: Seething Djokovic explodes in nuclear AO interview
READ MORE: Coach’s sneaky ploy caught on camera
An emotional Stosur offered one last on court interview in which she thanked her friends, family, and fans over her storied career.
“It’s really hard to put into words,” she said.
“I can’t believe the journey that I’ve been able to get on.
“Dreaming as a little kid and being able to finish here all these years late in front of friends and family and the Aussie fans who have supported me forever, thank you so much.
“I love being able to do what I love and to have the support from all of you is incredible, so thank you.”
Stosur is among Australia’s greatest tennis products, famously winning the US Open in 2011.
Watch the Australian Open live and free on the Nine Network: Channel 9, 9Gem and 9NOW.
Her doubles career included a whopping four grand slam wins, one at her home Australian Open, one at Roland Garros, and another at the US Open.
With the end of the road in sight, Stosur said she’ll miss the comradery of competing around the world.
“I was just talking this morning about all the people that I’ve met,” she said.
Match Highlights: Stosur/Ebden v Schuurs/Mektic
“That’s what makes me the most upset, is not being able to go to all these tournaments to see all the people that I love as regularly and to enjoy all these experiences with them.
“It’s just the joy of playing and I’ve been lucky to have the success that I’ve had and obviously that’s what we do it for.
“I’ve been very blessed to have the career that I’ve had and been able to do it in a way that I’ve always been able to enjoy it with the people around me.”
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
Australian Open 2023 in pictures: Netflix conspiracy theory wreaks havoc with just one documentary star standing
