'Aussie, Aussie Aussie': Ridiculous queues to watch underdog Storm Hunter fire to stunning victory
Australian underdog Storm Hunter took a commanding victory in her first round of the Australian Open against Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on Monday.
She defeated the Spaniard 6-4, 6-4, with a rowdy Aussie crowd right behind her. She even led an "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie" chant after her post-match interview with the crowd roaring for each of Hunter's success.
"Oh my gosh, I don't know what to say," an elated Hunter said post-match, speaking candidly on her return from injury.
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"I'm so full of joy being out here playing. Win or lose, I don't really care, I just wanted to come out here and I just wanted to play good tennis and I enjoyed commentating last year, commentating these matches, but now I'm back out here and it's unbelievable."
Storm Hunter speaks after her win. Nine
"I ruptured my Achilles in 2024. I was at my career best ranking and coming back from that injury is really tough mentally and physically and to be back here playing good tennis, I'm just so happy ... all the hard work has paid off.
"I can't believe I get another singles match, it's crazy.
"I have so many people in my corner. I'm incredibly lucky.
"Just showing up every day no matter how you feel... Some days it's not going to happen. Never give up. That's my motto. I had some tough days where I thought I wouldn't be back here. And then one day it just clicks, and today it clicked."
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Storm Hunter took victory to lead herself into the second round of the Australian Open. Getty
Hunter had a shaky start to the match, going 0-3 down in 11 minutes, but fought her way back to take the first set 6-4.
Hunter then dug in, using the energy from the heathy crowd cheering for every point she took to come home victorious.
"She's firing now, isn't she, Storm?" Casey Dellacqua said on the Nine broadcast.
"She's got all the good endorphins going through her body and it's showing in the energy she's producing through her shot making. She's got that forehand, loopier shot going above shoulder height of Bouzas Maneiro now, [and is] creating opportunities with the short ball."
Lines wrapped around the block to get into the arena for Hunter's match. Supplied Nine
Lines wrapped around the entrance as throngs of fans looked to catch a glimpse of the Aussie "golden girl" back on court.
The crowd numbers followed Sunday's record-breaking day, with huge crowds watching along from the outside televisions, cheering on the 31-year-old in her return to singles competition after her 2024 injury.
Hunter now moves into the second round of the Australian Open, where she will play America's Hailey Baptiste.
