US Open singles champion Sam Stosur will start her tennis year in her hometown tournament, the Brisbane International.
The world No.7, who is currently enjoying a quick post-US Open break at home on the Gold Coast, said she was looking forward to starting her Australian summer campaign in Queensland.
“It is a very exciting time for me and it is great to be able to come home and share what has been a huge achievement with my family and friends in Queensland,” Stosur said.
“I don’t get the chance to get home often so to have this time is very special. It also seemed to be the perfect time to confirm that I would be back again in January to play at the Brisbane International.
“It is my home State and home tournament and I can’t think of a better way to kick off the tennis year.
“I have always enjoyed playing at the Brisbane International. It has great facilities, a fantastic atmosphere and a Queensland crowd who really love their sport and support me year round.
“I am looking forward to the event and cannot wait to see the new facilities following the floods last year. From what I have heard the facilities will be even better.
“Hopefully I can bring my best US Open form to the event and be in with a chance to win my first Brisbane International title in 2012.”
Brisbane International Tournament Director Cameron Pearson said: “We are thrilled that Sam has committed to playing the Brisbane International again. As the hometown girl and Australia’s No.1 ranked player, Sam’s commitment is yet another endorsement of the event, which just gets bigger and better each year.
“Australians were in awe of Sam’s performance at the US Open last week and we know the people of Queensland will get right behind our latest grand slam champion in January.
“Winning a Grand Slam is not easy. We are thrilled that the first two girls to confirm their attendance at the Brisbane International are Grand Slam champions”.
Stosur is currently ranked No.7 in the world after impressive performances at the US Open, Cincinnati, Toronto, Eastbourne and Rome in 2011.
She is the first Australian in 10 years to win the US Open after Lleyton Hewitt’s US title in 2001. She is also the first Australian Grand Slam female champion since Evonne Goolagong Crawley in 1980 and the first female to make it to singles final at Roland Garros since Wendy Turbull in 1979.
The Queenslander has defeated top players Serena Williams, Vera Zvonareva, Li Na and Francesca Schiavone in 2011 and reached a career high ranking of No.4 in February.
Stosur has claimed singles titles at the 2010 Family Circle Cup, Charleston, USA and 2009 HP Open International, Osaka, Japan and is a former world No.1 in doubles with two grand slam doubles titles at the US Open and Roland Garros and two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
(Source: Brisbane Marketing 4th October 2011)
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