Sloane Stephens facts for kids
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Stephens at the 2017 Washington Open
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| Country (sports) |  United States |
|---|---|
| Residence | Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. |
| Born | March 20, 1993 Plantation, Florida, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Turned pro | 2009 |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Coach | Kamau Murray, Omar El Kheshen |
| Prize money | US$18,873,895
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| Official website | sloanestephens.com |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 380–284 (57.23%) |
| Career titles | 8 |
| Highest ranking | No. 3 (July 16, 2018) |
| Current ranking | No. 79 (October 28, 2024) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | SF (2013) |
| French Open | F (2018) |
| Wimbledon | QF (2013) |
| US Open | W (2017) |
| Other tournaments | |
| Tour Finals | F (2018) |
| Olympic Games | 1R (2016) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 58–81 (41.73%) |
| Career titles | 1 |
| Highest ranking | No. 63 (September 23, 2024) |
| Current ranking | No. 64 (November 4, 2024) |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Australian Open | 1R (2012,2018) |
| French Open | 1R (2012, 2013, 2014, 2024) |
| Wimbledon | 2R (2017) |
| US Open | 1R (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2024) |
| Mixed doubles | |
| Grand Slam mixed doubles results | |
| Australian Open | 2R (2016) |
| Wimbledon | 3R (2018) |
| US Open | 2R (2008, 2012) |
| Team competitions | |
| Fed Cup | W (2017), record 9–6 |
Sloane Stephens (born March 20, 1993) is an American professional tennis player. She reached her highest ranking of world No. 3 in July 2018. Sloane is famous for winning the 2017 US Open championship. She has won eight singles titles on the WTA Tour and one doubles title.
Contents
Sloane's Early Life and Tennis Start
Sloane Stephens was born on March 20, 1993, in Plantation, Florida. Her parents were both amazing athletes. Her mom, Sybil Smith, was the first African-American woman to be a top swimmer in college history. Her dad, John Stephens, was a professional football player for the New England Patriots.
Sloane was raised by her mom and stepfather, Sheldon Farrell. She started playing tennis at age nine at a club near her home in Fresno, California. Her stepfather played there often, and her mom took lessons. A tennis coach named Francisco González saw her talent and suggested she get more training.
Two years later, Sloane moved to Boca Raton, Florida. She trained at the Evert Tennis Academy and then at the Nick Saviano High Performance Tennis Academy. She also started learning from home online.
Junior Tennis Success
Sloane began playing in junior tennis tournaments in 2006 when she was 13. She reached her first major doubles final at the US Open in 2008. In 2009, she won her first two big junior tournaments, the USTA International Spring Championships and the Italian Open.
In 2010, Sloane teamed up with Tímea Babos and they won three major junior doubles titles together. They were only the second pair of girls to win three Grand Slam doubles titles in one year! Sloane also reached the quarterfinals or better in singles at these events. Her best singles result was reaching the semifinals at the US Open.
Turning Professional
First Steps on Tour
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Sloane started playing professional events in late 2007. In 2008, she played in her first WTA Tour event, the Miami Open. She also won her first professional doubles title in Wichita that summer.
In 2009, Sloane decided to become a professional player. In March 2010, she played in her first main WTA Tour event at the Indian Wells Open. She won her first main-draw match there. She ended 2010 ranked No. 198 in the world.
Rising Through the Ranks
Sloane kept improving in 2011. She won her first professional singles title in Italy. She then played in her first major singles main draw at the French Open. In August, she reached her first WTA Tour quarterfinal at the Southern California Open.
At the US Open, she won her first Grand Slam match. She made it to the third round and entered the top 100 players in the world. At 18, she was the youngest player in the top 100.
In 2012, Sloane played in her first Australian Open main draw. She made her Fed Cup debut and helped the United States team win. She reached her first tour semifinal at the Internationaux de Strasbourg. She also made it to the fourth round at the French Open and the third round at Wimbledon. These results helped her enter the top 50 for the first time. She finished 2012 as the youngest player in the top 50, ranked No. 38.
Major Breakthroughs and US Open Glory
2013: Beating Serena and Reaching New Heights
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Sloane started 2013 strong at the 2013 Australian Open. She reached her first major quarterfinal. There, she faced world No. 3, Serena Williams, who had won 20 matches in a row. Sloane pulled off a huge upset, winning the match! This was her first win against a top-ten player and made her very well-known. She reached the semifinals and her ranking jumped to No. 17.
She continued her success at other major tournaments. She reached the fourth round at the French Open and the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. At the Cincinnati Open, she beat world No. 3, Maria Sharapova. She finished 2013 ranked No. 12 and was one of only three players to reach the second week of all four Grand Slam tournaments that year.
2014-2016: Ups and Downs, More Titles
Sloane had some ups and downs in 2014 and 2015. She reached the fourth round at the Australian Open and the quarterfinals at the Indian Wells Open. In 2015, she won her first WTA Tour title at the Washington Open, not losing a single set! This win brought her back into the top 30.
In 2016, Sloane hired a new coach, Kamau Murray. This partnership was very successful. She won two more titles on hard courts, the Auckland Open and the Mexican Open. She also won a title on clay at the Charleston Open, beating world No. 2, Angelique Kerber. However, a foot injury forced her to stop playing for many months after the 2016 Rio Olympics.
2017: Incredible Comeback and US Open Champion
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Sloane had foot surgery in January 2017 and couldn't walk without a special boot until April. She returned to the tour in July at Wimbledon. Her ranking had dropped very low, to No. 957.
But then, something amazing happened! In August, she reached the semifinals of two big tournaments, the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open. She beat many top players, including No. 3 Angelique Kerber. These results helped her get back into the top 100.
At the US Open, Sloane was ranked No. 83. She kept winning, beating No. 10 Dominika Cibulková and reaching her first US Open quarterfinal. She then won against No. 9 Venus Williams in an exciting semifinal. In the final, she played against her friend Madison Keys. Sloane won the match in straight sets, becoming the US Open champion! She was the lowest-ranked US Open champion ever.
After her big win, Sloane helped the United States team win the Fed Cup final against Belarus. She was named the WTA Comeback Player of the Year for her incredible return to tennis.
2018: French Open Finalist and World No. 3
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Sloane started 2018 with some losses, but she quickly bounced back. In March, she won the Miami Open, a very important tournament. She beat three top-ten players there, including No. 5 Jeļena Ostapenko in the final. This win helped her enter the top 10 for the first time.
At the French Open, Sloane reached the final for the first time! She played against world No. 1, Simona Halep. Sloane won the first set, but Halep came back to win the match. Even though she didn't win the title, this amazing run pushed Sloane's ranking to a career-high of No. 4 in the world. After Wimbledon, she reached No. 3, her highest ranking ever.
She also reached the final of the Canadian Open again, losing to Halep. At the US Open, she reached the quarterfinals. Sloane finished 2018 by playing in her first WTA Finals in Singapore. She won all her group matches and made it to the final, where she lost to Elina Svitolina. She ended the year ranked No. 6, her best year-end ranking.
Recent Seasons
2019-2021: Facing Challenges
Sloane faced some challenges in 2019 and 2020. She didn't win any titles and her ranking dropped. She reached the quarterfinals at the French Open in 2019. In 2020, the WTA Tour was stopped for a few months because of the COVID-19 pandemic. When it started again, Sloane showed improvement at the US Open, reaching the third round.
In 2021, Sloane continued to work hard. She reached the quarterfinals at the Charleston Open. At the French Open, she surprised everyone by beating No. 10 Karolína Plíšková and reaching the fourth round. She also beat two-time champion Petra Kvitová at Wimbledon. She finished 2021 ranked No. 64.
2022-2024: Winning Again
Sloane started 2022 by winning her first title since 2018 at the Abierto Zapopan in Mexico. This was her seventh WTA singles title! She also reached the quarterfinals of the French Open for the third time in her career.
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In 2023, she reached the fourth round of the French Open for the ninth time. In April 2024, Sloane won her eighth WTA Tour singles title at the Rouen Open in France. She beat Magda Linette in the final.
World TeamTennis
Sloane has also played for different teams in World TeamTennis. She played for the New York Buzz, Washington Kastles, Philadelphia Freedoms, and New York Empire. In 2020, she joined the Chicago Smash and helped them reach the final.
Rivalries
Sloane vs. Madison Keys
Sloane has a friendly rivalry with her close friend and fellow American player, Madison Keys. They have known each other since they were young and are often compared. Sloane has a 5–2 record against Madison.
Their most important matches include the final of the US Open, where Sloane won her first major title. Sloane also won their semifinal match at the 2018 French Open. Madison got her first win against Sloane in 2019 at the Charleston Open. They continue to have exciting matches!
Sloane vs. Serena Williams
Many people thought Sloane could be the next top American women's tennis player after Serena Williams. Sloane looked up to the Williams sisters when she was growing up.
Sloane has a 1–6 record against Serena Williams. Her only win came at the 2013 Australian Open, when she was 19 years old and not as well known. This win brought her a lot of attention. All their matches have been at big tournaments.
Sloane vs. Simona Halep
Sloane and Simona Halep have had some big matches, especially in 2018. Halep has won most of their matches, with a 7–2 record against Sloane.
Their two most important matches were in 2018, both in finals. Halep won the French Open final, which was her first Grand Slam title. Halep also won their final match at the Canadian Open. Before these matches, Sloane had never lost a final on the WTA Tour.
Playing Style
Sloane Stephens is an all-court player, meaning she can play well on all types of surfaces. She has reached the quarterfinals or better at all four major tournaments. Her favorite surface is clay, but she has won most of her titles on hard courts, including her US Open and Miami Open titles.
Sloane often plays from behind the baseline, using her athletic skills to defend against powerful shots. She is good at turning defense into offense. She has a strong serve, hitting it fast and with different spins. People often say she has "easy power" because her shots look effortless. She hits powerful winners with her forehand and has a more compact two-handed backhand.
Compared to other top American players who play very aggressively, Sloane has a more patient style. She focuses on building points and changing her shots to confuse her opponents.
Coaches
Sloane has worked with several coaches throughout her career. When she was young, she trained with Nick Saviano for many years.
Roger Smith coached her when she became a top junior player and entered the top 100. Later, David Nainkin coached her during her big breakthrough at the 2013 Australian Open.
In 2015, she started working with Kamau Murray. With him, Sloane became one of the best players in women's tennis. She won five of her eight titles with him, including the 2017 US Open and her first Premier Mandatory title in 2018. They have worked together on and off, and he has helped her achieve great success.
Endorsements
Sloane Stephens has many sponsors. She wears Nike clothing and uses Head rackets.
After winning the US Open, she gained new sponsors like Mercedes-Benz. She has also appeared in ads for Built with Chocolate Milk, which promotes chocolate milk as a recovery drink. Other health-related sponsors include doTerra (essential oils), Precision Nutrition (diet and exercise coaching), and Colgate (oral hygiene education for children).
Sloane has also worked with American Express, Listerine, and USANA. She also worked with Time Warner Cable to promote the importance of education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.
Personal Life
Sloane's mom has always supported her tennis career. Sloane remembers her mom believing in her even when an instructor said she might only get a scholarship to a lower-level college. Sloane's grandfather, Noel Smith, came to the United States from Trinidad and is one of her biggest heroes.
Her favorite player growing up was Kim Clijsters. She also admired the Williams sisters and even had a poster of Serena in her room.
Sloane is involved in charity work. She has worked with Soles4Souls, which gives shoes to children in need. She also started the Sloane Stephens Foundation. This foundation builds tennis courts and creates after-school tennis programs for students who need extra support, along with tutoring.
Sloane married United States national soccer team player Jozy Altidore on January 1, 2022. They were childhood friends in Florida.
Sloane also focused on her education. She earned a bachelor's degree in communications studies from Indiana University East in late 2017. She finished her degree while recovering from her foot surgery. She believes this time away from tennis helped her gain a new perspective on being a professional player. She also earned a Master of Business Administration degree in December 2020.
Career Highlights
Grand Slam Tournament Finals
Sloane has played in two Grand Slam singles finals:
| Result | Year | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 2017 | US Open | Hard |  Madison Keys |
6–3, 6–0 |
| Loss | 2018 | French Open | Clay |  Simona Halep |
6–3, 4–6, 1–6 |
Year-End Championships
Sloane reached one WTA Finals championship match:
| Result | Year | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 2018 | WTA Finals, Singapore | Hard (i) |  Elina Svitolina |
6–3, 2–6, 2–6 |
Images for kids
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Kamau Murray, Sloane's coach
See also
In Spanish: Sloane Stephens para niños
