Sam Stosur granted wildcard to compete at record 20th Australian Open

Already considered a staple at Melbourne Park over the last decade, it comes as no surprise that Australian tennis player Samantha Stosur was granted a wildcard that would enable her to compete at the 2022 Australian Open.

The former World No.4 will be competing in a record-equaling 20th consecutive Australian Open, with tournament director Craig Tiley saying that inviting Stosur to the event was a "no brainer."

“She’s just outside the rankings to get in directly (to qualifying) and I’ve been on the journey with Sam for a long time – since 2006 – and she deserves it,” Tiley said. “It was a no-brainer, put it that way."

The 2011 US Open champion reigned as the country’s top-ranked singles player – male or female – for a world-record 441 straight weeks between 2008 and 2017. However, a string of bad results has seen her ranking drop to World No.381. Nonetheless, Tiley believes the 37-year old is an icon for Australian tennis, with Stosur winning her sixth doubles major in New York in September.

“She’s a grand slam champion, she’s a legend of Australian tennis and we’d love her to advance and finish (her career) on a strong note," added Tiley. “But Sam loves playing the game. I wouldn’t be surprised if she keeps playing, but she’s said this is probably going to be the end.

“So we’ll see. We’re very proud of the fact that she has this opportunity.”