- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Storm Sanders is gathering force, is looking increasingly menacing and is forecast to rain mercilessly on the hosts’ parade at the Billie Jean King Cup.
The woman blessed with one of sport’s great names has been starting to live up to it with a gale of winners en route to blowing Australia into Saturday’s semi-finals.
The Queensland southpaw has won three matches in Australia’s two winning ties this week and will again be key in a last-four tie against hosts Great Britain in Glasgow’s Emirates Arena.
Which all begs the question: why is Sanders currently languishing at 237 in the world, having not won a tour-level, main draw singles match all season?
It’s a misleading ranking in that the 28-year old’s concentration has been on the doubles circuit, where she’s so proficient that she’s just entered the world’s top-10 for the first time.
But she still also believes she can make a name for herself in singles – and her teammate, Australian No.1 Ajla Tomljanovic, agrees, saying that Sanders can still become a top player.
“I’m not surprised at what she’s done this week, because I have seen Storm over the years really step up in these weeks,” said Tomljanovic in Glasgow.
“Overall, I think that she’s in a pickle with her singles just because she’s such a good doubles player, and it’s really not easy to pursue your singles career when there are so many weeks you’re missing out on.
(Photo by Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images)
“I truly hope that she gives the singles more of a go and sacrifices maybe a little bit of that doubles, because she really can be great. She shows it every time here under pressure, which is even more impressive.”
Sanders, who now has a BJK Cup singles record of four wins and just one loss, admits it’s been “very hard to balance” her singles and doubles campaigns in tandem this season.
“I had a really great doubles year this year, won a couple of titles and cracked the top 10, which is awesome, but I’m also still trying to achieve some things in singles,” she said.
“Even though my singles ranking has dropped a little bit [she was a career-high 119 in October 2021] I still have a lot of confidence in myself that I can get higher and play in both grand slam singles and doubles.”
Hailing from the Queensland hometown of another fairly handy left-hander – a certain Rod Laver – Rockhampton can now savour a Storm as well as a Rocket. And Sanders is having the time of her life, still unable to quite credit how Sam Stosur, her idol as a kid, now not only cheers her on at courtside but actually partners her in BJK Cup doubles triumphs.
“Surreal,” she beams.
Still, though, helping Australia win the Cup for the first time in 48 years pales into insignificance beside her really big day next weekend when she marries fiancé Loughlin Hunter.
“It’s been an amazing season for me. I have travelled a lot and achieved some amazing things, and I’m really proud of myself,” Sanders said on Thursday.
“But the most important and exciting thing is in 10 days. I’m very excited about getting married to Loughie, who’s at home watching me and supporting me. It will be really nice to get home and spend time with him.”
And if you thought her name was splendid enough already, wait until she becomes Storm Hunter….
© AAP
Whether it’s aces or races, try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp for great odds and a great punting experience. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.