If there's such a thing as karma, Samantha Stosur is a huge beneficiary of it at the Australian Open.
The adored 34-year-old and partner Zhang Shuai claimed their first women's doubles title at the grand slam on Friday, completing a stunning fortnight with a straight-sets win in the final at Rod Laver Arena.
But Zhang wouldn't have been there if it wasn't for Stosur's words of kindness.
In 2015, the friends shared dinner at a Beijing restaurant during the China Open, where the 30-year-old received a wildcard entry only to lose in the first round.
Down on her luck, Zhang confided in Stosur that she was considering giving it all away.
"I said, maybe I'm (going to) retire after here," she said.
"After the dinner, Sam sent to me a long message. I'm start to thinking 'maybe, okay, play one more tournament, Australia Open, and after I retire'."
At Melbourne Park three months later, she won through in qualifying, stunned second seed Simona Halep in the first round and went all the way to the quarter-finals - a career-best effort at a major.
"Really thanks for Sam give me the one chance to keep going. Really important message (and) We make the champion now," she said, beaming at Stosur.
Each of them lifted in key moments where the other one was struggling, while Zhang's net game complemented Stosur's service strength and baseline abilities.
Zhang referred to Stosur as her "best friend" after the triumph, saying they were "like each other so much and we trust each other".
"Also I always make some funny on court," she said.
"I think that helps us a lot. Sam (is) always laughing me on court. I think that's really good.
"The whole two week I think for us amazing, yeah, in my life."
The win was Zhang's first grand slam title and Stosur's seventh including one singles, three women's doubles and three mixed doubles.
The pair have committed to playing together this year, giving Stosur the chance to complete the set of major titles in women's doubles at Wimbledon in July.
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