Gold Coast City Council better be prepared to host a few more parties in honour of local sporting heroes Sally Pearson and Sam Stosur, with both women saying they have even greater success in their sights.

World champion hurdler Pearson and US Open women's tennis champion Stosur were overwhelmed by the reception they were given at Broadwater Parklands on Monday afternoon.

Greeted by Lord Mayor and Olympic medallist Ron Clarke, Premier Anna Bligh and more than a 1000 enthusiastic fans, Pearson and Stosur both received keys to the city in honour of their sporting achievements.

Pearson ran the fourth fastest time ever to win the 100m hurdles at the world championship earlier this month and Stosur became the first Australian women to win a grand slam title in 31 years when she won the US open just over a week ago.

But the homecoming party may turn out to be the first of many for the women.

Pearson said her mission will not be complete until she wins an Olympic Gold in London next year.

"That's my ultimate goal, to win a gold medal there next year," she told reporters.

Pearson also had a 25th birthday she'll never forget.

Arriving home from Europe around midday on Monday, she was whisked from Brisbane airport to Movie World by helicopter so she could return to her Helensvale home on the Gold Coast, in time to shower and change before receiving the key to the city.

"You don't realise the support you get from your own town.

"You're in your own little bubble, you're own little world overseas.

"You are focusing solely on yourself, a bit selfish, and you have to be like that, but it's really nice with that support and really proud you can do it for them."
Holding a metre-long key, Stosur told reporters she is intent on making sure her first grand slam title, the first by an Australian women since Evonne Goolagong Cawley's 1980 Wimbledon victory, is not her last.

She admits there will be expectations from fans, and to an extent herself, to perform well at the Australian Open, where she has never advanced past the fourth round, early next year.

Stosur said she was surprised by the turnout on Monday.

"Once you achieve something like this you want to be able to do it repeatedly and, having done it once, that self belief and knowing it is possible to do it is there.

"I know I will have the rest of Australia behind me which is good."

Stosur also announced she will play the Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena in the first week of January.

Darren Cartwright
AAP