This year’s Australian Open will be Samantha Stosur’s last tournament in her storied career.
The tennis icon, now 38 years old, made the announcement on the eve of this year’s grand slam in Melbourne.
This year’s tournament will be her 21st appearance. She’ll join Alize Cornet of France in the women’s doubles and Matt Ebden in the mixed doubles.
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“I’m so excited to be back at Melbourne Park playing in my 21st Australian Open, but it’s with mixed feelings that I also share with you that this will be my last tournament,” the 2011 US Open winner wrote on social media.
“I feel so happy and grateful to have the opportunity to finish playing at my favourite slam – my home slam – in front of my Aussie fans, friends and family.
“Even though I’ve made the decision to retire from the sport I absolutely love, a small part of me would be happy to keep playing forever.
“I know I’m going to miss playing competitive tennis, all the amazing experiences and emotions that come with being on the tour, and doing what I’ve done for nearly my whole life.
“There are so many stand-out matches, some against legends of the sport, that make me look back and think how grateful I am for my career.”
Stosur thanked her family, support staff and sponsors for their support over a career that’s spanned more than a decade.
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“There are many others who have helped and supported me behind the scenes and around the world,” she continued.
“You know who you are, I hope you know I couldn’t have done it without you, and I will thank you all in person.
“For now, I’m looking forward to getting on the court one last time in front of my amazing fans, who are the reason I go out there and play the sport I love, and enjoying this wonderful ride one last time.”
Stosur reached a career-high No.4 in the women’s singles world rankings and No.1 in doubles.
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