Stosur rules out Fed Cup retirement

Sam Stosur has ruled out retiring from the Australian Fed Cup team on the back of their 3-2 defeat against France in the 2019 final. The 35-year-old 2011 US Open winner and former world number four has been a part of the Aussies’ Fed Cup line-up over the past 16 years. And, having played a key role in helping the team edge out a strong USA side in the semi-finals, they fell short at the final hurdle in Perth this weekend. Stosur and current world number one Ashleigh Barty were defeated by Kristina Mladenovic and Caroline Garcia in the decisive doubles clash to secure the trophy for France. And, when asked afterwards about her future in the team event, she said: “I’m not retiring. I know 16 (more) years is a stretch but I’m sticking around for a little while yet. “Right now, it’s obviously just really disappointing. But like Ash said, I think we do have to take some perspective and realise what we have achieved as well this year. And all the times we wore the green and gold, what we do for the team.” Stosur also waxed lyrical about the future of the Australian team with one eye on when she does eventually decide to step aside as Barty, debutant Ajla Tomljanovic, Priscilla Hon and Astra Sharma have all impressed. “I won’t be around for 16 more years (laughs) but these girls may well be, so we’ve got the future in good hands,” she added.