In 2018, American professional tennis player Sloane Stephens achieved a career-high ranking of third in the world. She won seven WTA singles titles in addition to the US Open championship in 2017. In 2010, she emerged as a bright young talent, taking home three junior Grand Slam doubles championships.
Following her breakthrough run to the Australian Open semifinals in 2013, Stephens struggled to maintain consistency. However, with new coach Kamau Murray, she won three WTA titles in 2016. She missed the 2017 season due to a foot injury, but she came back to win the US Open. In 2018, the athlete maintained her winning ways, taking home the Miami Open title, making it to the French Open final, and coming in second in the WTA Finals.
How Did Sloane Stephens End Up?
Page Contents
Many people have been wondering, “Whatever happened to Sloane Stephens? Stephens, who was once seen as the next big thing in American tennis, has had some difficulties lately. She has made significant progress and made significant improvements, but her journey has not been without setbacks, most notably her early U.S. Open loss. Reunited with her previous coach Kamau Murray, who assisted her in winning the 2017 U.S. Open, the athlete made a significant move. This resulted in improved performance, advancing to the Cincinnati and Cleveland third rounds.
However, she persisted in having trouble at Grand Slams, finishing in the fourth round of the French Open and losing early at the Australian, Wimbledon, and now the U.S. Open. Overshadowing her recent progress was a painful loss to Beatriz Haddad Maia at the U.S. Open. Stephens was confident in her game, but she missed opportunities to score at critical times. Her speed remained remarkable, but she suffered from erratic footwork and a lack of aggression when it mattered most.
The player’s lost opportunities in the third set, when they were up 40–15 in games, proved to be the game-changing moment. Haddad Maia won thanks to her solid play, which included 40 victories and a concentration on her own game. She admits that she is disappointed, but she is still committed to becoming better. She understands that she must take advantage of future opportunities to move up the rankings. Notwithstanding obstacles, the athlete is confident in her skills and concentrates on improving.
Sloane Stephens’s Condition
NBA star Quincy Pondexter, a close friend of Sloane Stephens’, called her in January 2017 to warn her that he was gravely ill. She moved fast to assist in getting him to the hospital, where an MRSA diagnosis was made. Pondexter’s condition was life-threatening, and medical professionals feared that he might not survive. Daily FaceTime conversations were held between him and the footballer, who at the time was recovering from foot surgery.
Seeing her buddy face death opened Stephens’ eyes to the realities of her own difficulties with injuries. She understood that Pondexter’s battle for survival was far more intense than her sitting out tennis matches due to an injured foot. The tennis player’s close encounter with a serious illness gave her a new perspective when she decided to return to the game after an 11-month hiatus.
Health of Sloane Stephens in 2023
At the age of 26, Sloane Stephens wants to take advantage of her physical prime years by going on tour in 2023. This season, she changed coaches and hired Sven Groeneveld, a former Sharapova mentor, which helped her regain concentration.
He has added structure to help her play a more fluid, complete game. When focused, the athlete can outshine anyone with her lightning-fast speed and powerful forehand topspin. Her inconsistency has been hindered by her uneven motivation, though. Following her recent engagement to soccer player Jozy Altidore off the court, she appears content.
Despite being personally satisfied, the player nevertheless shies away from the thought of truly “growing up.” After competing in the Madrid Open for eight years, she feels as though her time is running out in tennis, but she doesn’t want adult responsibilities. As a veteran, she has welcomed standing out, even if it means insisting that TV footage of an opponent sobbing be taken down.
She is viewed as a threat going into the French Open because she is currently ranked No. 8 in the world. The player has the versatility and experience to make the most of her athletic peak if she can keep her health and concentration intact.
Also Read, Viggo Sorensen, Avivasofia, and Giselle Guilmette.
