Thaindian News

Paris, June 4(ANI): French Open finalist Samantha Stosur insists that she never imagined that she would reach a Grand Slam Final when she was battling a career ending illness three years ago.

Stosur’s stunning success in Paris is a world away from 2007, when Lyme disease kept her out for 10 months.

“When I was out, I never let myself doubt the fact that I would return. Obviously, I had no idea what was going to happen,” The Daily Express quoted Stosur, as saying.

“I’d never wish to go through any of that ever again, but, in hindsight, who knows what it actually did for me? Since then, I’ve had the best time of my career, best results, and I’m playing the best.”

“So maybe, looking back, taking all that time out was a good thing, but, obviously, when I was in it, I didn’t see it like that at all,” she added.

She further said that the illness gave her a new perspective on what she was able to do and how much she loved playing tennis.

“So without walking away, maybe I wouldn’t have seen that and then really thought, ‘Okay, when I come back I’m going to make the most of every chance every day and see how good I can get and just try and become the best player I could be’,” Stosur said.

The 26-year-old has had a remarkable run at the French Open so far, defeating four-time champion Justine Henin, World No. 1 Serena Williams and former World No. 1 Jelena Jankovic to make it to the final.

She will now play Italy’s Francesca Schiavone in what will be both women’s maiden Grand Slam finals. (ANI)