Samantha Stosur

On court

• Started playing tennis aged eight when a friend gave her a racquet for Christmas.
• Practiced with her brother, Daniel, who upon realising she had talent, convinced their parents, Dianne and Tony, to pay for coaching.
• Went on her first tour aged 13, competing in the World Youth Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia.
• Joined the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) in 2001 at 14 years of age.
• Joined the Australian Institute of Sport at 16.
• Made her Fed Cup debut in 2003.
• Member of the Australian Olympic team in 2004.
• Reached the No.1 ranking in doubles in February 2006 having claimed a series of titles with Lisa Raymond.
• Contracted Lyme disease in 2007 and, having spent 61-consecutive weeks ranked as the No.1 doubles player in the world, was forced to end her season prematurely.
• Rejoined the WTA Tour in June 2008.
• Member of the Australian Olympic team in 2008.
• Claimed her maiden WTA title in Osaka in 2009.
• Became the first player since 2000 to beat Justine Henin and Serena Williams in the same Grand Slam event (Roland Garros 2010), as well as ending Henins’s 27-match winning streak in Paris.
• Won her first major title at US Open 2011, beating Serena Williams 6-2 6-3 in the final.
• Member of the Australian Olympic team in 2012

Off court

• Sporting hero is surfer Layne Beachley.
• When she’s not playing tennis, Sam enjoys spending time at the beach and relaxing.
• Her favourite sports team is the Gold Coast Titans.

Year-end singles ranking history