While critics are suggesting it might be time for Sam Stosur to call it quits, that’s the wrong answer to a complex issue.
Like many, I want to see Australian players achieve the ultimate success on their home turf, and it used to drive me crazy that Stosur couldn’t get the job done.
Unfortunately, story–book endings in professional sports are few and far between.
Stosur is not the greatest Australian tennis player of all time, but neither is she an overrated mental–midget who should give up the game entirely.
While it’s arguable that Stosur could have reached greater heights during her prime, she’s already achieved more than the vast majority of professional tennis players ever will.
Not only did Stosur win the US Open in 2011, she did it by beating one of the greatest ever, Serena Williams, on her own turf. Few can say they’ve bested Williams in any form of tennis, let alone a grand slam final.
In this time period, where she was most successful, Stosur also reached the finals of the 2010 French Open, and peaked at a number four in the world.
So why does Stosur get a bad wrap?
Maybe it’s due to her athleticism and physical attributes that we expect more from her.
Stosur is one of the more impressive athletic specimens to ver play the game, and one of the most physically fit players on the tour.
While her thunderous first serve would often reach 190km/h, her kicking second serve is one of the toughest to play in professional tennis.
It’s undeniable that Stosur struggled to cope with the weight of expectation. In particular, the expectations of achieving success at the Australian Open have proved too much for the 32-year-old – the furthest she has reached at her home grand slam has been the fourth round, having lost in the opening round five times.
But the majority of Australian players have struggled at home.
The last local male to win the Australian Open was Mark Edmonson, in 1976, while Chris O’Niel won the women’s draw in 1978. To put this in perspective, the Australian Open was still being played on grass courts at this stage.
Lleyton Hewitt, Pat Rafter, Mark Philippoussis and Alicia Molik are among the greats of green and gold tennis to never win the Australian Open.
At this point in her career, it may be too late for Stosur to win another grand slam, let alone the Australian Open. But if someone told you that one day you’d have a professional tennis career that saw you reach No.4 in the world, beat the greatest ever women’s player to win a grand slam, and be consistently ranked for almost a decade, would you accept it?
Damn right you would.
Digger James
Guest
CONGRATULATIONS SAM, great shot making! No humble pie for me thanks ( I'm on a diet hahaha ) ......Well done Sam a great tournament for you, march on.
Digger James
Guest
Don`t be writing Sam off just yet or you may get a shock !!! All that skill, power and athleticism is still there and pretty soon she will pounce again and some people will be served rather large portions of humble pie.
Ken (Sava) Lloyd
Guest
We love you Samantha,but you have become "The first round bye. We love you Samantha ,please give the Womens BBL a try. Sava
Glen
Guest
I don't follow tennis that we'll, but from comments I've heard previously the reason some are disappointed with Stosur is not because of the times when she was beaten by better or higher ranked players, it is because she is far too often bundled out of tournaments relatively early by players who are largely unknown, which defies her skill level.
Dianne Andrews
Guest
I like Sam, most people I know like Sam. She has been a very good ambassador for our country and her sport over the years......but she has some sort of mental block when playing at home. Please Sam, just think "what the heck', I'm going to relax and go out and have a great time" - the fans are still behind you.
MichaelJ
Guest
Sam is not Robinson Crusoe. The Australian Open has two segments: week 1 and week 2. ... In week 1 the Aussies turn up to play and the crowd, especially the fanatics, get all fired up. In week 2 all the Aussies are usually gone and the audience lauds the skills of the overseas visitors in a loungeroom festival, where no--one, bar visiting tourists, has a passion for who wins or loses- they just enjoy a good spectacle. We are experts at building facilities. Sydney Olympics is still the best spectacle ever staged for that event. Similarly, Melbourne park is world's best practice in tennis venues. Somewhere along the way we taught our players to be gracious losers. Lleyton Hewitt excepted, our players lack the ruthless desire to win at any cost.
sheek
Roar Guru
The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over & over but expecting a different result. Sam Stosur could not be fitter or stronger. Indeed, she tops both counts in women's tennis. But her brain is mash potato. Clueless. She should just relax & enjoy her tennis. But that's probably impossible with her stressed-up persona. She takes life far too seriously. Maybe she should just retire.
northerner
Guest
I must admit to being a bit puzzled by this. It has always been my impression that Sam is a hardworking, talented athlete who simply puts too much mental pressure on herself when she plays in the Australian Open. She ends up fighting not just her opponent but herself. And when she can't deliver, the reaction from the public is more sorrow than anything else. Everyone recognizes, I think, that her problem is that she cares too much - a problem I only wish certain male tennis players had. I certainly would never have described her as an ""over-rated mental midget" and I don't know anyone who would. This whole article seems to me to be designed to attack a non-existent straw man.
BrainsTrust
Guest
The reason Stosur gets a bad rap is because of all the early exits at the Australian Open. She does have anxiety issues so the increased pressure in the Australia Open seems to cause her to fail. There is no way she should think of retiring the standard is so low now if she can maintain some fitness for a while she could win again.
Paul Potter
Roar Guru
I tend to agree with the above comments. I personally wish her nothing but success as she is an excellent representative of her country.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Not sure where all this media and public opinion is that gives stosur a 'bad rap'. What is this a reaction to? People love and wish her the best.
jamesb
Guest
" Mark Philippoussis and Alicia Molik are among the greats of green and gold tennis to never win the Australian Open." They are "greats"?
jeff milton
Guest
i think you are making this up. people are supportive of sam and think she has had a great career
John
Guest
All of that while battling lime disease