You are in all probability doing one thing proper if the girl who gave her identify to the Billie Jean King Cup calls you “amazing”.
Storm Sanders admitted to being humbled by the reward from one of many recreation’s legends – however the phrases of her teammates following Australia’s defeat to Switzerland within the remaining on Sunday prompt the nice BJK was not flawed.
Sanders had a triumphant week on the planet cup of ladies’s tennis, profitable 5 rubbers – together with three singles matches towards a lot higher-ranked opponents.
Yet maybe her crowning glory got here within the method of her never-say-die defeat to world No.35 Jil Teichmann, a participant who – in line with the 202-place gulf of their rankings – Sanders had no proper to problem.
King, who watched the motion unfold in Glasgow’s Emirates Arena, offered the runners-up medals to the Australians and was seen enthusing to Sanders, “You were amazing”.
Like everybody, the 78-year-old had been left enthralled by Sanders’ efforts to maintain battling within the three-set thriller after the Queenslander, already struggling bodily with a taped adductor, wanted remedy to an injured ankle and seemed virtually down and out.
But simply as she has all week, the world No.10 doubles participant demonstrated actual guts in addition to expertise within the singles area as she fought again to take the match right into a nail-biting third set earlier than lastly shedding after practically two-and-a-half hours.
“It was amazing,” the 28-year-old mentioned of her expertise of assembly the American nice.
“Billie Jean King said some nice words to me at the ceremony, and also wanted just to congratulate me on my wedding on Saturday.
“She was extra concerned with my marriage ceremony, which was actually, very nice.”
Sanders admitted she needs some rest before she gets hitched to fiance Loughlin Hunter back home next week.
“I left every thing on the market at this time. I’ve actually nothing left within the tank proper now,” she said, still smiling as she has all week.
Of the injuries, she added: “Just a little bit of every thing, to be trustworthy. Just fatigue and that is OK. It’s the final day of the season. It’s been a extremely lengthy yr for me, and it is all stuff that is manageable.
“That was my seventh match this week, and today was a long match and obviously a high-pressure environment. I’m a little bit spent today, but it was a lot of fun. I gave everything.
“It was a lot enjoyable and regardless that we did not fairly get the win at this time, I’m simply so pleased with our staff.”
Captain Alicia Molik reckoned her star performer had been “heroic” and predicted a great future for the soon-to-be ‘Storm Hunter’ next season as she tries to juggle her blossoming doubles career with her singles ambitions.
So, given her success on court and high praise from a tennis legend, was this the best week of Sanders’ year?
“Well, second-best,” she beamed. “After the marriage week.”
