Dubai: Ever since she won the US Open title last year, things have not gone according to plan for Australian Samantha Stosur. A lot was expected of her at the Australian Open, her home Grand Slam, but she faltered in front of her home crowd, losing in the first round, and generally had a disappointing start to the year.
But talking to XPRESS ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships that starts at the Aviation Club tennis stadium on February 20, the world No 5 said: "It was a disappointing month for me, playing at home in Australia and getting the results that I did. But I had a good week at Fed Cup, winning both of my matches there against Switzerland. Hopefully that means I've found some form and I can continue with that from now on."
And Stosur believes there's nothing bigger than representing her home country.
"I love to represent my country, and I think if, as an athlete, you're good enough to do that, it's something to be really proud of. Not everybody is able to achieve that, so it's very special - and I always enjoy myself when I do," she said.
Stosur also reached the final of the 2010 French Open and believes she can go one better this year.
"Hopefully it will be [my next major title] - especially as it's the next Grand Slam coming up! I've played the final there before, and also made it to the semis. I'd definitely love to put myself back in that kind of position again," she said.
A regular to Dubai, Stosur says she would love to turn things around this time.
"Oh, I would definitely like to win the tournament. I've been to Dubai many times, and always enjoyed myself. So, hopefully this is the year!" she said.
