Five years ago, tennis no longer felt like an option for Storm Hunter. $1000 in her bank and taking courses on coaching, she thought her career was over after a severe shoulder injury. But now, five years later, she’s the No.1 doubles player in the WTA. And for someone known for her doubles game, Hunter’s singles journey so far in the Australian Open has established her as a force to be reckoned with. Her grit and resilience, both on and off the court, are an inspiration to many. And it seems like she derived those qualities from the people she’s looked up to all her life—her parents.

While almost every tennis fan is currently captivated by Hunter’s personality, her parents’ deep connection to the Australian Navy has come to light. Here’s all you need to know about the pillars in Storm Hunter’s life.

Who is Storm Hunter’s father?

As Storm Hunter’s remarkable performance at the Australian Open 2024 holds the spotlight, fans are curious to find out the reason behind her relentless ability to overcome challenging situations. After all, she fought through the qualifiers to reach her first-ever third round in a Grand Slam. One of the answers might lie in the remarkable background of her father, Michael Sanders. An honorable figure with a notable military history, Michael served in the challenging submarine sector in the Royal Australian Navy.

It’s far beyond a coincidence that Storm Hunter holds just the perfect levels of determination and discipline that are seen in military training. Michael’s life journey has been more than just serving the nation. The ex-serviceman, along with Hunter’s mother, Genene, played a major role in shaping Hunter’s path by enrolling her under the guidance of Robert Beak.

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As her father’s background and efforts are clearly reflected in Storm’s personality on the court, it is just one side of the whole pack. Her mother, Genene, also has an equal share in the growth of such a strong force, who is now making waves in Melbourne.

Genene Sanders: The anchor in Storm Hunter’s journey

Behind every successful athlete, a pillar of support is something very common, and for Storm Hunter, that pillar has been her mother. Coming from a Navy background and serving in the Australian Defense Force as a ship steward, Genene Sanders has also played a crucial role in shaping Storm’s tennis career.

Checking every box of being a devoted mother, Genene’s influence is rooted in her own military experiences. The way she understands discipline and commitment has resonated with the WTA star’s training sessions right from the start. Reports highlight that Genene stood by Storm as she worked hard to hone her skills under coach Robert Beak, who once suggested that Storm “wasn’t the most talented” young player he’d trained.

As reported by Sports Hounds, Hunter’s parents lived in Rockhampton, Queensland (where Storm was born) for 25 years. “My parents had no money. They were hard workers. They knew I had this [tennis] dream, and they joined the military to try and give us a better life and a better opportunity,” Hunter revealed. In 2005, they relocated to Western Australia.

Hunter added, “I spent a lot of time in my childhood not seeing my parents because they were sacrificing their time with me and my brother to give us that support. They’ve always been so supportive of my career, and I think they believed in me more than I ever believed in myself.” But they’re not the only ones who believed in her, who stood by her through thick and thin.

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Is Storm Hunter Married?

Until November 2022, Storm Hunter was Storm Sanders. But in November 2022, the WTA star married Loughlin Hunter, a Perth native, who’s a chef and food expert. By delving into Storm’s social media, one can find delightful pictures of cuisines. But Loughlin’s professional life is a lot more than just ruling the kitchen. He is a busy bee, as he is also involved with businesses on the side.

Deriving a conclusion from their Instagram captions, the couple appears to share a deep love that originated from the days when Hunter struggled to find a position in the tennis charts. After her second-round victory at the Australian Open, as Storm fought back tears, she gave a shoutout to Loughlin. “My husband, we’ve been together for 10 years and he’s seen everything, even with me injured and not playing.”

As the tennis star continues to captivate the attention of fans with her personality and amazing skills on the courts of Melbourne, she surely resonates with her parents’ military attitude. Only time will tell all that is in store for Storm Hunter and a journey to the top that just seems to be starting.

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