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By Elena Scuro Photo Credit: Tony Chang/Chang Photography

She’s a laid-back Australian with a fierce forehand and tricky kick serve. Sam Stosur might be new to the top of the WTA, but she’s been on Tour for a while, is an accomplished doubles player and defeated Lyme disease in one of the toughest matches of her life. Here are ten things you may not know about the 2011 US Open champion:

1. Flood Survivor: When Stosur was six, her family’s house and business on the Gold Coast of Australia was destroyed by a flood. Her family moved to Adelaide shortly thereafter.

2. Ruled The Doubles World: New tennis fans may not know that the 27-year-old Stosur is a former world no.1 on the WTA Tour in doubles with American Lisa Raymond. Together the two won the 2005 US Open, 2006 French Open and two Tour Championships.

3. Her Biggest Battle: In 2007, Stosur was diagnosed with Lyme disease and couldn’t play for about ten months. She also had to deal with a long road to recovery. “I had to take some time to educate myself on what was happening to my body and figure out the best way to cope,” she said. “I’m fortunate that ten months in the grand scheme of things is not that long compared to other stories that I hear from people with the same condition.”

4. Aussie Who Loves Aussies: Stosur said she grew up watching Aussie Pat Rafter. “I stayed up many nights and was late for school in the mornings because I was watching him play,” she said. “Yeah, he was good to watch.”

5. She Heard It: Stosur was in the midst of one of the most drama-filled Grand Slam finals at last year’s US Open when Serena Williams began a tirade against chair umpire, Eva Asderaki. When asked after the match if she heard Williams’ infamous “Come on,” she said "Oh yeah. Absolutely. I was just trying to get the ball back; but Serena did something you can't do."

6. Her Glasses, Explained: Stosur famously wears Oakley sunglasses during her matches. “I started wearing them when I was 13 or 14, and I just...I actually don't know why I started,” she said. “I just wanted a pair, and begged mom and dad to go get me some. So it's just become a bit of a habit, and now I can't really go on court without them.” She also said “If it's sunny outside, I can't see. I think my eyes have become a bit sensitive from wearing them all the time on court.”

7. In-Shape Stosur: There’s no denying Stosur is one of the fittest players on the Tour, even more fit than some of the men! How does she stay in shape besides tennis? “During the preseason I’ll switch things up a lot. I love riding my bike, it’s nice to get away from the stationary bike at the gym and be able to ride outside,” she said. “I also like to box as well as swim...Aside from that, I love going to the beach and just being outside.”

8. Can’t Live Without...: Lip Balm. “I can't go anywhere without that.” 

 

9. Dinner Party: According to her Web site, if she could pick five people to have dinner with, the invitees would be Steffi Graf (one of her idols), Nelson Mandela, Sheryl Crow, Jerry Seinfeld and Homer Simpson.

 

10. RIP Billy: Sam had a dog named Billy. He recently passed away. 

 

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