Sam Stosur's sad retirement admission on eve of Australian Open
Australian tennis veteran Sam Stosur has suggested she might be close to retiring following the 2022 Australian Open.
Conceding the upcoming grand slam at Melbourne Park might be her last, the 37-year-old Stosur said he heart was still determined to play, but the years on tour were beginning to catch up with her.
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Though Stosur's singles career did not take the jump many hoped it would after her memorable 2011 US Open triumph against Serena Williams, her doubles career continues to flourish.
Hoping for one last 'big summer' at Melbourne Park, Stosur told reporters on Thursday she was hoping to get one last crack at the main draw.
Stosur quipped that her knees were 'a little sore' after returning to practice recently, but added she was determined to bow out on a high note.
"Chances are it probably will be the last time," Stosur said.
"I've just done my first day back training today. I'm seeing how things go.
"I had a little run around in preparation and lead-up to a big summer hopefully.
"My knees are a bit sore, but I actually hit pretty well considering I've had two weeks off."
It seems as if the Brisbane stalwart's enthusiasm for the sport remains undimmed.
"I always love getting back on court. Pre-seasons can be a bit brutal, but I've done enough of them now that it doesn't take too long to get back into it," she said.
Indeed, 2022 will be effectively be the 22nd year of her distinguished professional career which is still flourishing in doubles, even if gathering even the occasional singles win these days has become a minefield.
Sam Stosur concerned over 'terrible' Peng Shuai situation
After winning her opening round contest against young Australian Destanee Aiava last year, Stosur failed to win any of her subsequent eight tour-level singles matches in 2021.
Yet she was still a force to be reckoned with in doubles as she took the US Open title and reached the end-of-season WTA finals with Zhang Shuai.
It is the fate of Zhang's Chinese colleague Peng Shuai which is currently concentrating the minds of Stosur and her colleagues.
Concerns still surround Peng's well-being after a long public absence since she accused a former senior politician of sexually assaulting her.
The only sightings of the 35-year-old have been the orchestrated video call with Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, and a release of videos from Chinese state media, which have not stopped the WTA continuing to press for proof that she's okay.
"It's a terrible story, what is unfolding with Peng Shuai," said Stosur, who goes back a long way with the Chinese player, with the pair having played 10 times in singles on tour and many more times in doubles.
"From the players' point of view and the tour, we just want her to be safe and hopefully everything is OK, but things are unfolding and we just have to wait and see how that plays out.
"We are all thinking of her and hoping that everything will be OK."
With AAP
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