GOLD Coast athlete Sam Stosur's stunning victory at the US Open over Serena Williams will give tennis on the coast a big boost, according to two of her childhood coaches.

As Ms Stosur smashed her famous opponent and 13-time grand slam champion over 73 minutes, Jan Johns and Nick Watkins watched on anxiously from the Gold Coast.

New York is a long way from the Gold Coast tennis courts where the Burleigh Heads Tennis Club caretaker manager and head coach, Jan Johns, first met the young Samantha Stosur.

"I've known her since she was 10-years old," she said. "I saw that promise way back in the early 90s when I was coaching her at Surfers Meadows."

Ms Johns said children on the Gold Coast will see that it is possible for a local athlete to go all the way to the top of their field.

"This makes everything different and it gives younger people coming in inspiration," she said.

"We've got a school camp next week and I'm sure that our numbers will increase because of this."

Mr Watkins said that Ms Stosur was focused on a long-term goal and never complained about the often-repetitious and mundane nature of her training.

"Her commitment even from a young age was really there.

"Most kids won't make it because they are not prepared to do what it takes," Mr Watkins said.

"They say it's too hard but Sam said, 'no worries'."

Meanwhile, Gold Coast City Council this afternoon voted to give Ms Stosur the keys to the city.