PERTH (AFP) -- Eight-time Grand Slam champion Samantha Stosur was on Thursday, Dec. 14, named captain of Australia's Billie Jean King Cup team, succeeding Alicia Molik.

Molik is stepping down after leading the team for a decade, guiding them to the finals in 2019 and 2022, which was Stosur's tournament swansong.

"I've got years of playing experience and one thing that I know is how the girls feel when you walk out on the court to play for Australia," the 39-year-old Stosur said.

Stosur contested 34 Billie Jean King Cup ties after making her debut in 2003 and holds the record for most singles wins –- 29 –- by an Australian player in the competition.

She won the 2011 US Open and reached a career-high of world number four that year.

Stosur is also a four-time Grand Slam doubles and three-time mixed doubles champion.