Sam Stosur (QLD) is confident the appointment of a new coach will help spark a change in fortunes at her home tournament, Brisbane International 2017 presented by Suncorp.
The world no.21, whose decade-long status as Australia’s leading WTA player is under threat from rising star Daria Gavrilova (no.25), recently recruited Josh Eagle, a five-time winner of ATP doubles titles and Australia’s former Davis Cup coach.
Stosur is hoping Eagle’s appointment will pay immediate dividends with an extended run in the Brisbane International, where she is yet to go beyond the last 16 in six previous appearances.
The Brisbane-born 32 year old, who now resides on the Gold Coast, lost to Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro in the second round last year, but she is confident of ending her home hoodoo when the tournament gets underway on 1 January.
“I’m feeling great and raring to go,” said Stosur. “I had a hit on Pat Rafter Arena yesterday and again today, so I feel like I’m really now starting to get into tournament mode. There’s still some more fine-tuning to do, but I think I’m in pretty good shape and right where I want to be.
“I’m always excited about playing in Brisbane, even if my results here haven’t been as good as I would’ve liked. But I’ve got another opportunity to right that next week, it would be great to go on a run and reach the final, but there’s a lot of hard work to be done between now and then. I’m going to prepare in the right way and give myself the best possible chance of improving what’s a pretty average record here.
“It’s great to have Josh in my corner, we’re both on the same page and we’re definitely heading in the right direction. I’m enjoying working with him, he’s brought some fresh ideas and we get along pretty well, which is always important when you’re spending a lot of time with someone! I’m feeling positive it’ll be a productive partnership, and I’ve got high hopes for 2017.”
For his part, Eagle has been impressed by Stosur’s work ethic and her willingness to go the extra mile in her pursuit of more WTA and Grand Slam titles.
“Sam ticks a lot of boxes for me as a coach,” said Eagle.
“She’s got an incredible work ethic, she’s one of the hardest-working athletes on the tour and she’s very level-headed. Whether she wins or loses, she doesn’t get too high or too low, which I like, and I really believe in her. She’s still got a lot to offer and given how fit and healthy she is, she still has a few more years left in her at the top. She proved at the French Open this year that she’s still got the potential to win more Grand Slams, so I’m really looking forward to working with her.”