A new era of Australian women’s tennis is set to begin with the search now underway to find a replacement left by Alicia Molik as captain of Australia’s Billie Jean Cup Team.
Among the names in the mix is Sam Stosur, who at 39, looks an ideal fit for the vacant role. Stosur, who has showed interest in the position, has been a constant in Australian tennis for two decades and has had successful and accomplished careers in both singles and doubles, highlighted by her 2011 US Open Singles title, overcoming Serena Williams.
Stosur’s achievements on court have continued to inspire a new generation of Australian women on tour but her outstanding commitment to Australian tennis, and specifically her commitment representing the green and gold, which began in 2003, set her apart as a major contender to take over from Molik.
Stosur is arguably Australia’s most decorated player in Billie Jean King Cup history with 29 singles wins, the most of any Australian player.
Stosur’s on-going popularity within the tennis community would assist in a smooth transition and while help foster the strong culture left by Molik.
Stosur has only recently finished up on tour, retiring from singles at the conclusion of the 2022 Australian Open but still has an existing relationship with the Australian women on tour and a current understanding of the tour overall which many believe is a big upside if she were to take on the role.
Stosur has maintained various roles in tennis since her singles retirement with her doubles career finishing up at the Australian Open this year and she has taken up new media positions with her commentary work for channel 9 as part of their tennis coverage.
Meanwhile, Molik, who held the role for a decade made the announcement she would step down in September, describing her time as captain as a “privileged.”
Molik has been a popular figure as captain following her playing career and witnessed a strong period for Australia’s women during her tenure, including Ash Barty’s incredible rise through the ranks and famous victories.
“Women’s tennis in Australia has been, from a team’s perspective, in a really strong position,” Molik explained in September after calling time from the role.
“In the last 10 years, we went from having a No.4 in the world in Sam Stosur to a No.1 in singles in Ash Barty, who started and finished her career under my tenure.”
Molik also believes the new faces developing at the current junior level will help drive the continued standards and successful period of Australian tennis while admitting she is also excited to maintain a strong level of interest with the current group and future stars.
Despite bowing out of the Billie Jean King Cup two weeks ago, Molik was still able to reflect again on her time as both captain and her playing days afterwards.
“My memories aren’t just as a captain; they’re as a player. A lot of those relationships in Fed Cup at the time helped form who I was as a player. They are always the friendships that I relied on through the tour years,” she said.
“I feel like that’s what the players have now amongst each other, but that’s something that they have created, a real credit to themselves. I’m not here with team success without the wider group and our team of staff. You know, they give everything for the players.
“I’m pretty lucky, pretty fortunate to have experienced a few finals over the last couple of years. Women’s tennis in Australia has been, from a team’s perspective, in a really strong position.”
Australia’s Storm Hunter who battled her way to maintain a perfect record at the 2023 Billie Jean Cup Finals also noted her enjoyment of playing under Molik.
“It’s just been a pleasure playing under Mol’ if this is her last tie. I’m going to get emotional now,” she said.
With Molik also sharing a close friendship with Stosur, the potential transitional is one that will work and broadly speaking, will generate support from Aussie tennis fans who for many years have admired the attitude and performance of Sam Stosur on and off the court.
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