AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 21, 2023

Samantha Stosur

Matthew Ebden

Press Conference

SCHUURS-MEKTIC/Stosur-Ebden

4-6, 6-3, 10-6

THE MODERATOR: Sam, what's the overwhelming emotion right now?

SAMANTHA STOSUR: I don't know. It's been very strange. I think obviously on the court was pretty emotional. Come inside, you feel okay, then get a hug from someone and have a chat, just want to let it all out again.

It's been an incredible, incredible week since I announced that it was going to be my last one. Had a great time out on court for the couple of matches that I had here. Felt incredible support. It's been, yeah, nothing but incredible.

Yeah, just trying to enjoy it as much as I can.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How did you prepare for this week? Obviously you knew you were going to retire, but were you surprised with the emotions you felt, the reactions of the fans, people around you?

SAMANTHA STOSUR: No, I'm not surprised how I felt with all of that. It's certainly been waves of it. But then at the end of the day I still woke up this morning knowing I had a match to play, and I was hoping it wasn't going to be my last. I got a bit emotional having a shower actually and packing my bags this morning.

You come here, warm up, and all of that really gets put away. You get on the court, and you focus on that. But, yeah, I did think of the super tiebreak. I was like, is it all going to rest on one super tiebreak here? It did (smiling).

Look, I had a great time out on court with Matt. Really, if you can kind of finish in a way, it's been lovely to be able to play with him for these last few years. It ended up being the last one with a friend, someone that we've played together a lot with, Aussie, and here with the Aussie crowd, it was amazing.

Mostly just very happy and very proud.

Q. How was the crowd?

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Yeah, it was great. It was kind of like I think there was a huge buzz around the grounds all day. Seeing it from the player restaurant, you couldn't see the ground there were so many people here. Certainly had a fantastic atmosphere out there again.

Yeah, really, really loved playing in front of the packed crowd and felt the support. Yeah, it was fantastic.

Q. Had you reflected at all on how much the Australian Open has changed since you started competing here?

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Oh, well, I mean, the courts were green. There was lots of different things about the Aussie Open compared to what it is now. I mean, I think a player on tour now who is just starting out doesn't have any idea about it was to now where it's grown.

It just gets bigger and better every year. I think it's great that we've got this in our home country because we're the ones that really get to enjoy it.

Q. Matt, what has the experience been playing alongside Sam this week?

MATTHEW EBDEN: This week? Like she said, a hundred thousand people were here today to come and see her play whether it was the last time or not. They were all waiting for her at the end. It was full. It was loud. They were all outside waiting for her, giving her the sendoff she deserves.

I had to think going into the tournament, this is going to be Sam's last tournament. Might come down to the mixed. Got to put up a good show (smiling).

No, no, of course we spoke about it. We aimed for the final. We aim to win every tournament we play, like she said. We give it our best shot.

That's tennis. It wasn't to be. A few points today. Playing the last couple years with Sam, it's been great to have a solid partner that we knew we were playing all the slams together the last few years.

Someone I feel is better than me on the court, which is great. Even though it's mixed doubles, maybe the guy is supposed to be stronger. I feel Sam is the strong one out there. I try to complement her, hold my side, do everything I can to support her.

She's helped me also I think in the last couple years to grow and learn and become a champion. Definitely been able to feed off her, learn from her. Such a champion on the court and off the court. I think is really rare to have those two things.

People say them in passing on and off the court, whatever, but she's one of the kindest, most genuine, nicest, humble people I know. Everyone around her says the same thing. It's no secret.

But it's really rare to find such good people in the world. She's really one of those gems, those angels. It's been an honor to know her and be friends with her now. I hope to stay in touch with her for the rest of our lives.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Thanks, Matt.