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Samantha Stosur is hoping her giant-killing run to the French Open final will inspire a whole new generation of tennis players in Australia.
Stosur admitted to being shattered at losing Saturday’s title match 6-4 7-6 (7-2) to empowered Italian Francesca Schiavone, but was heartened to learn of the impact of her heroic feats at Roland Garros.
“From what I’ve heard, it’s all been crazy and unbelievably supportive towards me,” Stosur said during a teleconference from Paris.
“It is just an unbelievable feeling to know that I had all that going on back home and that everyone was right behind me.
“I am sure it’s going to inspire lots of young players and people maybe who have never picked up a racquet might think ‘oh, maybe I’ll go get a racquet today and go down to a court and have a hit and see how I like it’.
“If I can inspire one young girl or boy to do that, then I think that’s fantastic.
“Moments like these and achievements that I’ve been able to do can really lift a sporting profile. Tennis has been on its way back up, but I think this can only help.
“I know watching Pat Rafter playing in grand slam finals, it makes you want to go out there and play. If now I’m that person that’s doing that, then I’m very proud of that.”
Stosur entered the final a raging favourite to end Australia’s 37-year title drought in Paris but, even before stepping onto Court Philippe Chatrier, looked tense and nervous.
A beaming Schiavone, on the other hand, played with the freedom of an underdog to produce the performance of her life, at 29 becoming the oldest first-time grand slam champion in 41 years.
Australia’s world No.7 said she had a restless night’s sleep on Saturday, no doubt tossing and turning as she replayed every single point over and over in her mind.
But the 26-year-old – now 530,000 ($A770,500) richer for her Paris feats – is hoping to bounce back quickly before switching her focus to Wimbledon, the season’s third major which gets underway in just a fortnight’s time.
“I didn’t sleep very well at all,” Stosur said.
“It was definitely my latest night to bed (for the tournament) and my earliest wake-up, so it’s amazing how a match can affect you afterwards, win or lose.
“I’m obviously very, very disappointed right now and hopefully I will handle it a good way and get over it and get past it and, in the end, that it will make me even better and hungrier if I ever get to that position again.
“I have no doubt it will, but it’s definitely going to hurt for a while.”
Stosur, who will warm up for Wimbledon as the third seed at Eastbourne commencing on Monday, has won just five matches in seven visits to the All England Club and conceded she’d always struggled to make the transition from clay to grass.
“It’s always a challenge but it’s kind of fun,” she said.
“And it’s always exciting walking into the gates of Wimbledon for the first time and that kind of gives you an edge and a lift as well.”
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