Stosur honoured as World Champion

Australia’s Samantha Stosur has joined a whole cast of the world’s finest tennis players by being named as one-half of the International Tennis Federation’s Doubles World Champions for 2005.

Stosur, teaming up with partner Lisa Raymond of the United States for the first time in July of this year, went on to capture five titles, including the US Open and the season-ending WTA Tour Championships in Los Angeles.

Stosur will be hoping that she can continue the same doubles form into the 2006 season, and will also look to improve her status as a singles player as she is now Australia’s highest ranked active female player.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer, Belgium’s Kim Clijsters, and the United States’ brothers, Bob and Mike Bryan, accompany Stosur and Raymond with the status of 2005 ITF World Champions.

In being named ITF World Champion for 2005, Federer became only the sixth man to receiving this honour in two consecutive years, following Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Pete Sampras and Lleyton Hewitt.

On his way to posting his imposing 81-4 overall win-loss record, the 24-year-old defended his Wimbledon and US Open titles, maintained his number one ranking throughout the year, and finished the year with 11 titles for the second consecutive year.

Federer also helped Switzerland retain its place in the Davis Cup World Group, which has led to a first round meeting against Australia in February of 2006.

With Justine Henin-Hardenne earning the title in 2003, Clijsters became the second Belgian in three years to be named Women’s World Champion.

Clijsters, currently number two in the world, narrowly edged out world number one Lindsay Davenport of the United States with her overall consistency seeing the Belgian come out on top.

The 22-year-old managed to win a tour-high nine titles, her biggest triumph being her first Grand Slam title at the US Open.

Like Federer, Clijsters also helped Belgium retain a place in the Fed Cup World Group.

The Bryan brothers have become the first men’s pair to secure three consecutive World Champions award. The pair showed consistency on all four surfaces in 2005, capturing five titles together, including their second career Grand Slam title at the US Open whilst also reaching the final at the other three majors.

The ITF’s selection of its World Champions not only considers a player’s performance at the Grand Slams, tour events and end of season events, but also gives weight to performances in the two ITF international team competitions – the Davis Cup and Fed Cup.

Stosur and company are due to receive their awards in Paris during the French Open at the annual ITF World Champions Dinner on June 6, 2006.

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