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In fact, the world No.74 claims results in Brisbane and at the Australian Open this summer will determine how long she continues working with Watkins.
Sam Stosur in training.Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui
"I love playing on clay, and that's my favourite surface by far," Stosur said. "But I still think I can play well on hardcourt, too. And the women's tour, probably 80 per cent of the year, is on hardcourt, so if you don't do well there, you're going to struggle, which is unfortunately kind of where I've been at the last year or so.
"Hopefully some of the things I've been trying to do (with Watkins) are going to help that success on a hardcourt."
Stosur received a wildcard into the Brisbane International, which boasts seven women in the world's top 10, with top seed and defending champion Elina Svitolina of Ukraine headlining.
In eight appearances, Stosur has never made it past the second round in Brisbane.
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But she hasn't given up hope of becoming the first Australian woman to claim the Brisbane crown despite admitting there is little local advantage.
"If I won Brisbane, I'd be over the moon. But even though we're from here, it doesn't necessarily give you a huge leg up against your opponents," she said.
"Everyone gets used to the heat pretty quickly ... and having the roof almost kind of helps the Europeans, to be honest.
"But hopefully one day an Aussie will be holding the trophy."
Stosur will headline a six-strong Australian women's contingent that will feature qualifier Destanee Aiava, and wildcards Kimberly Birrell and Priscilla Hon in action on Monday.
Women's seeds, Czech Karolina Pliskova (fifth), Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens (sixth) and Russia's Daria Kasatkina (seventh), will also play on Monday.
US Open quarter-finalist John Millman will fly the Australian flag in the men's draw's opening night against American Tennys Sandgren.
He is part of an eight-strong Australian men's contingent headlined by defending champion Nick Kyrgios and seventh seed Alex de Minaur.
Men's seeds Milos Raonic (fifth) of Canada and Grigor Dmitrov (sixth) of Bulgaria also feature on Monday.
AAP