Sam Stosur displays on her Billie Jean King Cup debut in opposition to Colombia in 2003, on the eve of battling the identical nation as captain on Saturday.
Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 10 April 2025 | Jackson Mansell
As Australia prepares to play Colombia within the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers in Brisbane, we glance again to the final time the 2 nations met within the worldwide girls’s group competitors.
By means of her admission, Sam Stosur doesn’t bear in mind a lot of her 34 ties for the Australian Tradition Amp Billie Jean King Cup group.
Nonetheless, she remembers when she donned the inexperienced and gold for the primary time in 2003.
A range that even stunned Stosur, the then 19-year-old made her debut in Wollongong in opposition to Colombia, as Australia aimed to succeed in the World Group for the fourth yr working.
“I used to be in all probability a bit bit stunned to get the gig,” Stosur admitted on The Tennis podcast. “It was extremely particular and I nonetheless bear in mind it. I do know who I performed, and the rating. It was a very long time in the past however I feel each time you get to placed on the inexperienced and gold, you actually cherish it.
AUS v KAZ FLASHBACK: Hunter’s heroics result in spirited triumph
“If I bear in mind accurately, the group was Alicia (Molik), Pratty (Nicole Pratt) and Stubbsy (Rennae Stubbs). So rapidly, I’m then put into this group of Australia’s finest gamers and folks that I appeared as much as enjoying and simply thought practising with them often was ‘oh my gosh, I’m practising with Alicia right here’, that type of factor after which I used to be truly on the group and truly received to play one of many matches.”
Stosur was chosen to play within the opening rubber in opposition to world No.38 Fabiola Zuluaga and threatened to trigger an upset. The Queenslander gained the primary set earlier than happening 4-6 6-1 6-4.
OFFICIAL PROGRAM: Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers (AUS-COL-KAZ)
TICKETS: Get tickets to the Billie Jean King Cup through Ticketmaster
Captain Evonne Goolagong Cawley was happy with Stosur’s first outing for Australia.
“Sam is an thrilling teenager who deserved her alternative and took it properly,” the previous world No.1 stated following Stosur’s efficiency. “Zuluaga is an impressive participant, in all probability worthy of a better rating than she at present holds.
“We felt our greatest likelihood to beat her with our second participant was with some heavy weaponry and Sam didn’t let anybody down with some crashing drives and serves, almost pulling a bonus win off for the group.”
World No.44 Molik was at her scintillating finest in Wollongong, prepared the house aspect to a 3-2 tie victory.
The South Australian defeated Catalina Castano 7-6(8) 4-6 6-2 within the second singles rubber, earlier than producing a valiant effort in opposition to Zuluaga within the reverse singles, shedding 10-8 within the remaining set in opposition to the Colombian No.1.
Following Pratt’s straight-sets overcome Castano, Molik teamed up with Stubbs to win the decisive doubles rubber 7-6(5) 6-2.
READ: Australia readies for Kazakhstan check
“Alicia confirmed why she is deservedly our No.1 participant, almost making the doubles a lifeless match along with her terrific efforts in singles,” Goolagong Cawley stated. “With Rennae’s expertise alongside her, we felt safe in a doubles win and once more they gained the deciding match for Australia.”
The Colombian tie on Saturday supplies a full-circle second for the 2003 debutant.
Stosur, who completed her profession with essentially the most singles wins in Australian BJK Cup historical past, will as soon as once more put together to sort out Colombia, this time as captain – and with Pratt by her aspect as coach.
“I’ve received to show the tables now alone private consequence,” Stosur stated on The Tennis.
Discover your technique to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to hit the courtroom and have some enjoyable!
#AUS #COL #Flashback #Stosur #shines #Billie #Jean #King #Cup #debut #April #Information #Information #Options #Information #Occasions
