US Open champion Samantha Stosur hopes her breakthrough year marks the start of another successful era for Australian tennis.
Stosur was awarded the Newcombe Medal as the country's best player for the second consecutive year at the Australian Tennis Awards in Melbourne on Monday night.
The legendary John Newcombe presented the 2011 US Open champion and current world number six with the medal.
The 27-year-old Queenslander was the hottest of favourites ahead of a shortlist which included Wimbledon quarter-finalist Bernard Tomic, Shanghai Masters quarter-finalist Matthew Ebden and Jarmila Gajdosova, who achieved a career-high WTA ranking of 25.
"It's such an honour to win the Newcombe Medal again this year and to have so many legendary Australian players here in the room makes it even more special," Stosur said.
"Winning the US Open is of course the pinnacle of my career to date.
"I'd like to thank my amazing team, especially my coach Dave Taylor, who has never stopped believing in me."
With Tomic and Ebden rising through the men's rankings and the achievement of Ashleigh Barty and Luke Saville in winning the Wimbledon junior girls and boys titles, Stosur hoped the success for Australian players would continue.
Barty was the first Australian in 31 years to win the junior girls crown.
"It's been a great year for tennis in Australia with Ash and Luke winning at Wimbledon and Bernard doing so well, and hopefully this is just the beginning of more success to come," said Stosur.
Barty and Saville were named junior athletes of the year.
Another highlight was the presentation of the Spirit of Tennis Award to former world number one and Australia's most successful Davis Cup player, Lleyton Hewitt, in recognition of his outstanding leadership, passion, sportsmanship and dedication to the sport.
"It's an honour to receive this award," Hewitt said.
"There is no greater feeling than playing for your country.
"Wearing the green and gold has been what I have cherished the most, therefore to receive the Spirit of Tennis award for Australia is very humbling."
Stosur's coach Taylor, who is also the Australian Fed Cup captain, was recognised with the Coaching Excellence, High Performance Award.
AAP
Tags: tennis, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia First posted December 05, 2011 22:18:35
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