Sam Stosur

Sam Stosur's Biography

US Open Singles Championship Winner 2011

Sam Stosur is widely regarded as one of Australia’s greatest female tennis players, achieving huge success in both doubles and singles throughout her career.

Sam made history in 2011 when she won her first singles grand slam title at 27, defeating Serena Williams in the Women's Singles US Open final. Prior to this breakthrough, Stosur excelled in doubles and mixed doubles, securing two Grand Slam titles in each discipline and reaching the world No. 1 ranking in doubles in 2006.

Stosur's tennis journey began at the age of 8 in Adelaide, leading her to compete in the World Youth Cup in Jakarta at 13. Under the guidance of Geoff Masters, she joined the Queensland Academy of Sport at 14 and later enrolled in the Australian Institute of Sport's renowned tennis program at 16.

In doubles, Stosur formed a successful partnership with Lisa Raymond, achieving the world No. 1 ranking in February 2006. Together, they won the 2005 US Open, finished as runners-up at the 2006 Australian Open, and emerged victorious at the French Open the same year.

Stosur faced health challenges, including Lyme disease and viral meningitis, during Wimbledon in 2007. Despite the setbacks, she returned in 2008, reaching the semi-finals of an ITF event in Dothan and the final of a WTA event in Seoul. In 2009, Stosur made significant progress in singles, reaching the third round of the Australian Open, semi-finals of the French Open, and winning her first singles title in Osaka. She ended the year with a career-high ranking of No. 13.

Sam announced the 2023 Australian Open as her final tournament and retirement. Sam is active around events, lending her talents as emcee, interviewer and commentator as she continues to embark on her new role in sports media.

Career Highlights:

US Open Singles Championship Winner 2011

Former World No.4 Singles

Former World No.1 Doubles (held for 61 weeks)

Singles – 1 Grand Slam Title, 9 WTA Titles, 4 ITF Titles

Doubles – 3 Grand Slam Titles, 26 WTA Titles, 11 ITF Titles

4 x Olympian 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016

Australia’s No.1 ranked player between October 2008 – June 2017

Australia’s most successful Fed Cup singles player

19th – All Time Female Career Prize Money earner

Off the Court

3 x John Newcombe Medal Winner as outstanding Australian Tennis Player 2010, 2011, 2012

US Open Sportsmanship Award for Excellence in Sportsmanship 2012

WTA Diamond ACES Award for promoting tennis to fans, media and community 2010

Spirit of Tennis Award 2019

Fed Cup Award for Excellence 2019

Diagnosed with Lymes Disease in 2007 and recovered to become Australia’s first singles Grand Slam Winner since Evonne Goolagong Cawley’s Wimbledon win in 1980

To enquire about Sam Stosur contact Helene Greenham directly: helene@platinumspeakers.com.au

Speaking Topics Include

International tennis

High performance, setting and achieving goals,

Teamwork

Overcoming adversity

Lymes Disease