Storm Hunter celebrates victory at Melbourne Park.Credit: Eddie Jim
But on Monday afternoon, in front of a roaring crowd at Kia Arena, Hunter was an Australian Open winner again, defeating Spainโs Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 6-4.
It was a win against the odds โ Bouzas Maneiro is ranked 327 places higher than Hunter.
โOh my gosh, I donโt know what to say. Iโm just so full of joy being out here playing,โ Hunter said after the match.
โWin or lose, I donโt really care, I just want to come out and enjoy it and put on a good show for everyone out here, and Iโm just happy Iโm playing good tennis … Iโm just so happy to be here.โ
Storm Hunter thanks the crowd after her round one win at the Australian Open.Credit: Eddie Jim
Hunter was in commentary last year as she fought her way back from the Achilles injury. Now, sheโs notched one of the biggest singles wins of her career.
โItโs hard to put into words [everything Iโve been through], but I ruptured my achilles in 2024. I was at my career-best ranking, No.3 in the world in doubles and almost top 100 singles. And, you know coming back from an Achilles rupture is really tough mentally and physically, all the training,โ she said.
โTo be back here playing good tennis, I didnโt think I could be back playing at this level again and so Iโm just so happy that all the hard work Iโve done with my team itโs paid off. I canโt believe I get another singles match, itโs crazy.โ
It was a shaky start for the Australian, who went 0-3 down in 11 minutes, before she fought her way back into the set. Hunter was down a break again in the second set, but rallied to come-from-behind to win the set and the match.
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The Australian crowd roared after Hunter secured a late break in the second to serve for the match, and cheers of โAussie, Aussie, Aussieโ echoed throughout Kia Arena on every point she won.
An ace out wide brought up match point for the 31-year-old, before Bouzas Maneiro sent her return wide on the next point to hand Hunter the match.
Hunter will play American Hailey Baptiste in round two.
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