Stosur to retire after Australian Open

Stosur to retire after Australian Open

Sports

Stosur to retire after Australian Open

(Reuters) - Former U.S. Open champion Sam Stosur on Saturday said she will retire from the sport following this month s Australian Open, 21 years after her first appearance at Melbourne Park.

Ahead of last year s Australian Open, the 38-year-old said that she would focus only on doubles.

Stosur beat Serena Williams in the U.S. Open final in 2011 and was a runner-up in the French Open a year earlier. She has enjoyed greater success while partnering other players, winning four Grand Slams in women s doubles and three in mixed doubles.

"I feel so happy and grateful to have the opportunity to finish playing at my favourite slam – my home slam – in front of my Aussie fans, friends and family," Stosur wrote in a post on Instagram.

"For now, I m looking forward to getting on the court one last time in front of my amazing fans, who are the reason I go out there and play the sport I love, and enjoying this wonderful ride one last time."

Stosur will play in the women s doubles at the Jan. 16-29 Australian Open alongside France s Alize Cornet, as well as the mixed doubles with compatriot Matthew Ebden.