On Sunday, Storm Sanders won her first Grand Slam Title with her mixed doubles partner John Peers to the surprise of everyone but the West Australian Tennis Community.
After narrowly missing out making it into the Womens Doubles Finals. Her and John captured the mixed title in a tie break third set. This tournament is the first time Storm and John had played together. John had fallen short 31 times mixed doubles tournaments but it seemed him and Sanders were the perfect pair.
Peers turned to Sanders after his match winning ace and said
"Stormey, We got one!"
Storm is a favourite child of Tennis in the West even though she has moved her base to Melbourne đ .
Here is what we need to know about her the US Open Champion with the best name đŞ
Storm Sanders:
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Storm Sanders was born in 1994 in Rockhampton, Queensland. After her family moved to Western Australia, she attended primary school in Rockingham, and began playing tennis at the local courts. She later trained with the National Academy Team at the State Tennis Centre in Burswood. Storms father was a navy officer and her mum would drive her up and back to the Tennis centre every day.
Studies
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In 2011 she achieved secondary graduation having completed four Year 12 ATAR courses while also competing full-time on the Junior International tennis circuit. After graduating Storm was offered a tennis scholarship based in Melbourne and has been based there since. While playing full-time on the international circuit she completed her Psychology degree.
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While studying and playing, she gained her coaching qualifications so that she could work with junior players to pass on her knowledge and experience. She mentors younger players; motivating, sharing her story, and inspiring them to chase their dreams.
Progression through the rankings:
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Storm had enjoyed a sensational 24 months, taking her singles ranking from world No. 375 to an impressive career best singles ranking of world No. 119. Rivalled only by a career best doubles ranking of world No.17 Storm continues to dominate the doubles scene, winning her second WTA Doubles title at the 2020 Hua Hin event in Thailand. With an impressive list of quarterfinals, semifinals and finals appearance in both singles and doubles at ITF and WTA level events, Stormâs standout results include doubles finals appearances in Charleston, Nottingham and Istanbul with titles won in Playford, Burnie and at the W100 Charleston. Qualifying for the Womenâs Singles main draw at Roland Garros, Storm hit the courts of the main draw for what was her maiden singles appearance at the French Open. Advancing to the semifinals of the Wimbledon Womenâs Doubles draw, Storm then hit the courts of the US Open with a wildcard entry in the Singles main draw and a Doubles Quarterfinals appearance. Making her Olympic debut at the Tokyo Olympics, Storm was a quarter finalist alongside world No. 1, Ash Barty.
2021: Sanders made the semifinals in mixed doubles at the Australian Open with Marc Polmans. In February, she qualified for and defeated four higher-ranked opponents to advance to her first WTA-level singles quarterfinal at the Adelaide International, eventually losing to Belinda Bencic. In March, Storm entered the WTA top 200 for the first time.
In May, she qualified for a Grand Slam tournament for the first time at the French Open. In June at Wimbledon, she reached the semifinals in women's doubles with Caroline Dolehide.
In July, Sanders reached her second WTA-level quarterfinal at the Prague Open. She also reached the semifinals in doubles at the same event. At the Tokyo Olympics, Sanders partnered Ashleigh Barty in the ladies' doubles and they reached the quarterfinals.
In November, Sanders represented Australia at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. She recorded the biggest win of her singles career, beating world No. 18, Elise Mertens, in her BJK Cup debut.
In January 2022, Sanders won her third and the biggest WTA Tour title, at the Adelaide International, alongside Ashleigh Barty.
Grand Slam doubles results:
US Open Champion
2022
Australian Open QF (2022)
French Open 2R (2021)
Wimbledon SF (2021)
US Open QF (2021)
Thanks to Brett Patten for providing the information about Storm and all the team at Tennis West for keeping Women in Sport WA up to date on all our female tennis players đ
