HEAD TO HEAD
Already a four-time Slam champion in doubles, this time last year Sam Stosur secured her first Grand Slam singles title at Flushing Meadows. Now defending her crown, the Australian spoke to Luke Bradshaw about her return to New York, how it compares to the other Slams on the tour and what beckons in 2013.
Considering your achievements last year, does it feel like extra pressure at the US Open this time around?
There will be a little more pressure than normal but it will also be so exciting to be the defending champion. Going back to New York and the memories that I have there from last year will be great. I really love the playing conditions that you get at the US Open so I look forward to having another great run there. The crowds in New York are electric, especially at night, so it is a lot of fun.
Going into the competition last year, did you think you had a good chance of winning?
I always feel that I can beat anybody in the world on my day, but I also knew that I was playing particularly well at the time. I never enter a tournament thinking about winning as there is so much that has to happen prior to holding up the trophy, it is pointless thinking about it. That said, as the tournament goes on and gets longer it does get harder to not let your mind wander a little.
Do you have a favourite Slam to play in?
I love playing in all the Slams, they are all very different but all amazing. The atmosphere and feeling of competing in Slams is why we play the game. I think the conditions in Paris suit my game nicely and I always love playing on the clay there. We are very lucky in tennis to have four amazing Grand Slams each year which we get to compete in.
And what about the grass of Wimble- don, we hear it’s your least favourite?
Well I have never had great results at Wimbledon in the singles but I have won the mixed doubles there and been
in the ladies doubles final three times. Wimbledon is such a special place to play tennis that I really look forward to going back each year and hopefully I can have some success in singles there soon.
It’s been a while since a native Aussie won a single’s title at the Australian Open, do you feel added expectation when you play there?
Being Australian I would obviously love to do well in my home Grand Slam and when I’m playing there is certainly more public awareness of me. It is so much fun to have the home crowd support and I can only imagine how amazing it would be to make a big run in Melbourne. There probably is more pressure but I think every athlete has to try to enjoy the support rather than worry about it.
Do you prefer doubles over singles - you’ve had great success playing doubles, no?
I have always been more focussed on singles but as I had more success in doubles in the early stages of my career
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