Storm Hunter says she is determined to rediscover the fearless form that once made her the world’s top ranked doubles player, insisting her devastating Achilles injury is now firmly behind her.
Hunter was at her peak in April 2024 when her Achilles tendon snapped during Billie Jean King Cup training, a blow that ended her Olympic hopes and halted her rapid rise. Before the injury, she had finished 2023 as the year end doubles world number one and produced a remarkable run from qualifying to the Australian Open third round, climbing to a career high singles ranking of 114.
“I have a lot of confidence in myself. I know my level and I feel like I’m working to get back to that level,” she said.
Hunter had only just begun a promising partnership with current world number one Katerina Siniakova when she was sidelined. Since returning in February, she has reunited with Siniakova while also trialling other combinations and sharpening her overall game.
Now 31, Hunter said her age fuels her motivation rather than dampens it.
“It actually keeps me more motivated to keep improving because I’m like, ‘Oh, wow, there’s so much more I can still learn and get better at.’ That’s been really fun too.”
She admitted that reaching world number one brought its own pressure, but she is now focused on enjoying the sport and the travel that comes with it.
“I can’t do anything more than that. I’ve achieved something incredible. Now I’m just doing it for myself — enjoying being on tour, travelling with my husband, travelling with my team.”
Hunter has slipped to world number 425 in singles, but her belief in a full resurgence remains unwavering.
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