On the verge of her final Australian Open singles campaign, Samantha Stosur plans to play with freedom as she bids farewell to a long chapter of her career on her own terms.
Stosur announced in December that his record-equalling 20th Melbourne Park campaign would be his final singles tournament.
It will start for her on Tuesday when she takes on the role of American Robin Anderson.
"This tournament is probably more than ever and it's about enjoying it," Stosur said.
"Of course you want to win. If you play tennis or any sport, you're competitive. If I wasn't competitive I wouldn't have been able to do it for so long.
"Absolutely you want to go out there and do your best, come up with a win if possible.
"But first and foremost, I want to get out there, enjoy myself, play well, be independent, swing. If I want to hit, that's the line for the winner. Get down, I'm going to do it.
"It's about playing and enjoying that moment and soaking it up completely."
Like any other Australian Open campaign, the 37-year-old Stosur will have her family, though the appearance of young daughter Evie will depend on her mother's match timings.
Stosur said, "Look, it's definitely going to feel a little different when I'm playing. You see in the stands, all that stuff."
"But at the end of the day it's on my terms. It's something I feel really good about. Not every athlete has to finish like this.
"In this regard I am quite satisfied with it. Obviously I am still going to continue in doubles. It's not all over. Slowly I will get there.
"... you can go out, finish at home, finish at Grand Slams - there's no better place to finish as an Australian.
"However it goes I'm really happy with it."
Stosur will continue to play doubles after the Open.
World No. 1 and compatriot Ash Barty lauded the impact the 2011 US Open champion and six-time doubles Grand Slam winner had on Australian tennis.
Barty said, "Sam, she is an Australian champion, plain and simple. She has set the tone for us as Australian tennis players for years and years."
"The opportunity for her to go out on her own terms is incredibly exciting. I'm so excited for the next chapter she brings to her life. I know she's going to continue with the couple."
“The way she has been able to lead the way and guide so many Australians, so many Australian tennis youth, is not remarkable.
"She's our champion. We love her to bits.
"I really hope she enjoys the experience coming Tuesday when she is playing."