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Ashleigh Barty, Simona Halep and Others Pay Heartwarming Tribute to Sam Stosur As She Retires From Tennis
Sam Stosur has had a stellar tennis career. The 37-year-old Australian has a US Open title to her credit besides winning several other titles on the WTA circuit. However, she decided to call upon her time as a tennis player earlier today after her second-round loss at the Australian Open 2022.
Upon declaring this news, tributes started to pour in for the Australian from her fans and fellow players.
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Players congratulate Sam Stosur on her fantastic career
The Australian decided it was time to call it quits on her career. She broke out the news during the post-match interview after her second-round match. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova congratulated the Australian on the court at the Kia Arena and subsequently took to Twitter to express her respect for the legend. The Russian said, “much respect for Sam.”
much respect for Sam @bambamsam30 https://t.co/TGZfy1Wpv8
— Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (@NastiaPav) January 20, 2022
Further, her fellow Australian Ajla Tomljanovic said, “Sam, she is, I remember, she was one of the first players on tour that I looked up to.” Victoria Azarenka added, “She’s been such a great player. She’s been representing Australia with so much pride, with so much respect.”
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 20, 2022career-high Russian’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova celebrates winning her second round match against Australia’s Samantha Stosur REUTERS/James Gourley
Further, World Number 1 Ashleigh Barty added, “Sammy was at the very top of our game in a sense of an Australian tennis leader and Australian tennis champion.” Simona Halep was all praise for Stosur. She said, “When she was a champion, I was little and I could learn many things from her.”
Jordan Thompson, the fellow Australian added, “When I was probably like 15, 16, 17, I used to hit with her a little bit and I always was very thankful. I was a 15-year-old kid and she’s just won a Grand Slam. So I used to look forward to those hitting sessions.”
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 20, 2022
Further, Astra Sharma said that she followed Stosur very closely. Thanasi Kokkinakis added, “She’s always been really positive and super nice around the tennis centers in the club.”
The Australian’s tennis career
Stosur lifted her first and only Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2011. She reached a career-high ranking of 4 in women’s singles. Moreover, she also managed to reach the top spot in doubles. Overall, she finished with 9 singles titles and 28 doubles titles.
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 20, 2022 Australia’s Samantha Stosur reacts during her second round match against Russian’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova REUTERS/James Gourley
As Stosur bids adieu to tennis, we wish her a very happy retirement. What were your best moments involving Sam Stosur on the tennis courts? Do let us know your views in the comments below.
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The post Ashleigh Barty, Simona Halep and Others Pay Heartwarming Tribute to Sam Stosur As She Retires From Tennis appeared first on EssentiallySports.
