Storm Hunter’s magical singles run at Australian Open 2024 is over.

However slightly than really feel dissatisfied, the 29-year-old is pleased with her efforts after gallantly extending world No.11 Barbora Krejcikova to a few units at Rod Laver Enviornment final evening.

“It was a tricky match. Actually wished to win that one, and I’d say I had just a few probabilities, however Barbora performed some actually good tennis beneath strain,” Hunter stated.

“I completely beloved it on the market. It was lots of enjoyable. Regardless that I didn’t get the win, this complete week has been a win for my singles I’d say.

“I don’t need to have a look at it as disappointing as a result of I loved each minute. It’s not each evening you get to play at Rod Laver Enviornment after Novak (Djokovic) and have all of the followers on the market. I’m undoubtedly seeing it as a optimistic.”

The world No.180 got here tremendous near reaching a 46-year first on the event, as the primary Aussie qualifier to win three main-draw matches on the event since Christine Matison in 1978.

It’s an effort that has prompted a lot of Hunter’s friends, together with Alex de Minaur and Ajla Tomljanovic, to implore the world No.1 doubles participant to place a larger give attention to singles.

“It’s undoubtedly a consideration,” Hunter stated of that prospect. “I wouldn’t say it’s a consideration proper now. I believe the place my rankings are I can nonetheless form of do each in the meanwhile. There doubtlessly could also be that call down the road, however for now, no.”

When requested why she has struggled with self-belief in her singles sport, a candid Hunter supplied an trustworthy rationalization.

“I believe it’s simply my nature. I simply really feel like I’m such a standard individual that to be on this surroundings as an expert athlete and being the No.1 doubles participant on the earth, to play on that stage, it nearly feels a bit of bit prefer it’s not for me in a means as a result of I really feel like I’m so regular,” she stated.

“I don’t really feel that I’ve ever been this big expertise. I’ve all the time needed to work onerous for it.”

Hunter credit her current doubles success for serving to enhance her confidence on the singles courtroom.

“Clearly I’ve been round for a very long time now on tour, so simply having these experiences and having the experiences taking part in Slams and doubles that simply, I believe, naturally helps,” she stated.

The hometown assist supplied added motivation for the Melbourne-based Hunter as effectively.

“It’s undoubtedly simple when you might have the gang cheering you on and supporting you it doesn’t matter what,” Hunter acknowledged.

“And that’s why I believe taking part in at house in Australia, taking part in for Australia, it’s very simple for me to do this as a result of I’m doing it not for myself, however for the nation.

“I suppose lots of people would discover possibly extra strain, however I truly discover it simpler. I form of need to nearly make everybody else proud and make everybody who has caught by my facet proud as effectively.”

Hunter’s consideration now turns to her Australian Open girls’s doubles and combined doubles campaigns.

She does plan, nevertheless, to rethink her singles targets post-tournament.

“This undoubtedly provides me lots of perception in my singles,” she stated.

“We’ll return and analyse and have a look at what we will preserve engaged on and go from there.”