AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 19, 2006

Samantha Stosur

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Pretty high, I guess. Going on the occasion, second round, playing on center court, just the way that I fought through that second set I think for me, just knowing what I did out there, regardless of anything else, was a great feeling.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Probably maybe a couple of the ones that I played January last year, and then probably, even though I lost to Alicia in the final of Sydney, and Patty in the final of Gold Coast, I really tried to fight my way out of those matches. I ended up losing both 7-5 in the third, which was kind of hard to take two weeks in a row in two finals. I think that maybe helped me get through today, knowing that I can fight through those situations.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: No. It was only the second one I ever played.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: I think it was -- I handled it better obviously today than what I did last year against Amélie. I think knowing that I've been out there before and also playing a few mixed matches last year, being in the final last year there, just -- I think because I've been there a couple times, it really helped out out there today definitely.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Doesn't make me more nervous. I just love playing here. I love playing in Australia. I just -- I really like it when there's a lot of people around and they're all cheering for me. It really just picks me up. I'd certainly rather be playing in front of them than not.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Yeah, going into the match, I was like saying to myself, "Just one point at a time." I got myself down, kind of let her dictate what was happening out there a little bit to put her in that position. Then at 5-1 I just thought, just swing at a couple of balls and get a little bit of tension out that I had. Just, you know, maybe go for a couple winners and see what happens. If it did go to 3, I was hoping I'd gotten rid of all that kind of nervous energy, then I'd be ready to play the third set if it happened. As I did that, I just -- that's how I needed to be playing. As I did that, I just kind of got myself back into it.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: I guess as soon as you break serve when someone is serving for the set, you know maybe they're a little bit nervous and you can still get in there. Being two breaks down, it's never easy to come back. You've always got to believe that you're in with a shot. After I did the first time and held, I knew the pressure was back on her to serve it out at 5-3.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Yeah, I mean, I think being a little bit older and having the experience that I've had in my career certainly helped me. Some girls get that when they're 15 or 16. Some don't till 20 or 21. It just seems that in Australia we all kind of develop a little bit later. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing. It's just kind of what seems to happen for whatever reason. I guess I've been here before a couple of times more than her. Obviously, I've got the home crowd support behind me. I guess that all just kind of builds up - hopefully in my favor.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: I guess compared to some girls, yeah, I am. I don't know. I guess it just comes when it comes. You don't want to be thinking that it's not going to happen if you haven't made the top 30 by the time you're 16 or 17. It doesn't always happen like that for everyone.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Yeah, it's something that I've been wanting to put into my game for a little while now. I'm just starting to get the confidence to actually do it in matches, not just on the practice court. That's something that I want to keep trying to work at and hopefully continue it.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Just to keep doing what I've been doing on the practice court and then putting it into the matches, which is what I've been able to do the last couple of rounds here, also at Hopman Cup. That's really the main goal for me, is just to keep working on my game, keep trying to push it forward. Wherever it takes me, it takes me.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: I do, but I'll keep that one (smiling).

SAMANTHA STOSUR: It's been great. I've played in big situations on the doubles court at the US Open, The Championships. I felt probably more nervous in those matches than what I ever felt before playing anything. I think being in those situations, then also working on my serve and volley, volleying, being on the court, doing those things in doubles is really helping my singles. That's what I wanted to be doing on the singles court. That's what's happening now.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Don't even know who it is (laughter).

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Heard of both of them. Never played either of them.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Yeah, I guess it is kind of different going into the match if you're higher ranked than them rather than playing a top seed. Maybe a different kind of mentality than what I had today, but still just want to go out there and worry about my own game, be able to control what I can control out there.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: I mean, I know that I am, but it's not really something that I'm feeling a lot of pressure with. I know that that's the case and that's it. That's just the way it is. I don't think it's a bad thing for me at all.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Maybe, yup.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: It was nice to think that he thought I could do that, but probably not too realistic at that point in time.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Not really. I wasn't really thinking about it when I was out there. But I guess you can only really worry about the pressure you put on yourself. I guess it's more than what anyone could put on you maybe. You want to play the way you want to play, give it everything you've got. If that means winning first round or winning the tournament, I guess it's the way it goes. Having then lost, I guess it kind of isn't a good feeling, having someone say that about you though.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: I think, yeah, the grass suits me. Hopefully by the time I get there, I would have got a little bit better at what I'm doing now. But this one's going all right, as well. Hopefully I just can continue it here (smiling).

SAMANTHA STOSUR: No.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: I guess so. If someone comes along, that would be great.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Not really, no. I just -- no (laughter).

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Yeah, I guess I know that I've got all the shots. I've just got to get them as best as I can and use them at the right time. I guess maybe sometimes it gets a little bit tricky out there because I think I can do something that maybe I can't. I've got to really control myself and just do what's needed at the time.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Well, the last couple of years I started working with my trainer. That's really been a big focus for me. When I was a junior, my movement was never something was a real attribute to my game. It was probably something that I always struggled with. Playing the style of game that I want to play, I mean, I've got to be quick and fast and powerful out there. The last couple of years, I've really worked hard at it. It's really been kind of at the front of my training then just to help my game. I don't want to be tired out there. It's something that I've really tried to focus on.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Yeah, I think so. I mean, I feel great out there.

SAMANTHA STOSUR: I have my suppliers (laughter).