Player Program: Samantha Stosur

 
2011 US Open Champion, Samantha Stosur began her professional tennis career at the age of 13 years old.  Stosur’s first big break came at the Australian Open in 2006 when she reached the fourth round – her best singles result at a Grand Slam tournament up until that point. Solid results took her to a then career-high No.27 in January 2007.

While Stosur was busily working her way up the singles rankings, she was nearing the top in doubles. She became world No. 1 in February 2006 after claiming a series of titles with doubles partner Lisa Raymond.

It was during Wimbledon 2007 that Stosur’s health started to go downhill, just as her career was on the way up.  Stosur battled through the pain, but after falling in the first round of the US Open she put an end to her season. In October doctors were finally able to give her a reason for the pain and lethargy she had been feeling since Wimbledon – she had Lyme disease. Stosur also contracted viral meningitis, further shelving her plans to push for a place among the world’s elite. However, as she overcame the disease, she returned to play in April 2008 and developed into a very fit and strong singles player.

Playing Style

Like most doubles players, Stosur is an all court player with a very strong forehand. Unlike most doubles players, she creates a vicious topspin with the forehand.  She also possesses the best kick serve in women’s tennis (a serve with heavy topspin that kicks up into the air after landing). Her backhand is not as good but Stosur has learned how to utilize the backhand slice to keep opponents from attacking her backhand.

Why She Wins

Stosur’s kick serve forces opponents to play balls more defensively.  The ball jumps over their shoulder so fast that most opponents only have the option of running backwards to play it lower or staying there and playing it over their shoulder. Since Stosur is right handed, this serve out wide gives her a big advantage on the advantage points. Whatever defensive shot her opponents play gives Stosur the time to hit a forehand anywhere on the court.  Her big heavy forehand keeps people on defense because the spin never allows the opponent to get close enough to the baseline to play offensively.  If Stosur can also maintain a solid backhand, she usually wins.



Why She Loses

Stosur breaks down at times and cannot seem to get herself back into a competing mentality which has resulted in problems closing out matches.  You would not know that she is having issues if you were not paying attention to the score.  Some of the shots she may miss in a match can make club players think they can beat her.  In addition, a lot of players with strong crosscourt backhands can work her backhand to the point of submission.  Slicing too far out wide opens up angles that any professional can use.


Stosur is a player that makes the match physical.  When she keeps it together she is a US Open champion and a Roland Garros finalist.  When it all falls apart she loses in the 1st or 2nd round. She always has the chance to be a threat.