Samantha Stosur

Australian known for her heavy kick serve and forehand who won the 2011 US Open singles title and was a longtime world No. 1 doubles player.

Samantha Jane Stosur was born on 30 March 1984 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, and turned professional in 1999, developing into one of the most respected all-court players of her generation, renowned for a powerful kick serve and one of the finest doubles games in the sport's history. Stosur reached the world No. 1 doubles ranking on 6 February 2006, holding the position for 61 consecutive weeks, and won Grand Slam doubles titles at every major tournament across her career, partnering various players to victories at the French Open, US Open, Wimbledon, and Australian Open. In singles, Stosur reached a career-high ranking of world No. 4 in February 2011, and delivered the finest result of her singles career later that year at the US Open, upsetting top-seeded Serena Williams in straight sets to win her only Grand Slam singles title — becoming the first Australian woman to win a major singles title since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980. She had reached the French Open final the previous year, losing to Francesca Schiavone. Stosur retired from singles in May 2022 and doubles in January 2023, closing out a 23-year career with nine singles and 28 doubles titles, and helped Australia reach two Fed Cup finals. She remains one of the most accomplished and versatile Australian players of the modern era.

Stosur was known for her aggressive baseline game built around a devastating kick serve and powerful topspin forehand. Her backhand was considered one of the most reliable shots on the women's tour, allowing her to construct points effectively from the back of the court.

Stosur's 2011 US Open victory marked a breakthrough moment for Australian women's tennis and inspired a new generation of players from her home country.

• 1 Grand Slam singles title (2011 US Open)
• former world No. 1 in doubles