OPINION

In an astounding interview, a leading Australian sports psychologist has urged Samantha Stosur to get urgent help in order to salvage what’s left of her tennis career.

Jeff Bond – who has had a 30-year career and was once the head psychologist at the Australian Institute of Sport – said Stosur’s problem was “mental” after she capitulated in a first-round loss to Varvara Lepchenko in the Brisbane International.

The former US Open champ added another stat to her horror home record when she let a 5-1 third set before losing it 7-5.

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“How can you be happy when you are 5-1 up in the third set and lose 7-5?” Mr Bond told AAP.

“You can’t sit back and say it is not mental – of course it is mental.

“And the reality is if she does nothing, the probability of that occurring again is fairly high.

“No doubt she can play but I think there is a lot of potential sitting there not being realised yet – that’s the frustrating part.”

Is Mr Bond trying to drum up some business? As a trained psychologist, would he not have been better served giving Stosur his card in private, or recommending someone he thought could help?

Stosur en route to a loss to Ana Ivanovic in last year’s Australian Open. Photo: Getty

The psyche is a fragile instrument – all the more so for the fact that it is largely visible.

Physical pain can be disguised, masked with anti-inflammatories. Mental anguish can also be disguised, but not to the same extent, especially in the harsh glare of 21st-century sporting coverage.

Mr Bond – who watched the match on TV – said Stosur must make the call otherwise her home-game rut may never end.

However, he said it could be done.

“This is not something that is fixed overnight,” he said.

“And to put something in place that will hold up under pressure and is sustainable is not easy.

“I know from my own experience that it is possible for a player to make that mental shift.

“But she would want to be getting cracking very smartly.”

Mr Bond said rivals would know what buttons to push against Stosur on home soil.

“I think her opponents know when to put pressure on at the right time,” he said.

“Whether a crowd is there or not should not make a difference if you have your mindset right.

“But she has sent a message to her opponents – ‘push me enough on home ground and I will struggle’ – that would give confidence to anyone playing Sam.

“And that’s a pity because every Australian would love to see her do well.”

If Mr Bond truly wants to see Stosur do well, he should speak to her, rather than about her.

– with AAP