[152] Konta also defeated her at Wimbledon. The 29-year-old was born on the 20th of March, 1993, in Florida, United States (US), into a family with a strong athletics history. According to the Aggression Score Metric, which measures a player's aggression based on how quickly they end points either through a winner, an unforced error, or an opponent's forced error, Stephens has a score of 19.4% which implies that 19.4% of her shots lead to one of those three outcomes. She was also awarded WTA Comeback Player of the Year for her successful season. [18] Her first breakthrough result came at the US Open in 2008, where she reached her first doubles final at a Grand Slam with Mallory Burdette. He was ranked as high as 34 in the Singles and 22 in the Doubles category. Sloane Stephens had to think outside of the box when it came to staying competition-ready throughout the coronavirus pandemic . [182] She lost in her fourth-round match to eventual champion Barbora Krejkov. The 2017 titlist took to Twitter on Monday to announce that she will no longer be. [19] She then finished the year with a semifinal appearance at the high-level Orange Bowl tournament, a Grade A event. Varvara Gracheva ousted Sloane Stephens in their quarter-final match at the ATX Open on Friday. Their partnership grew from their friendship and is looking really fruitful.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'thetennistime_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',151,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thetennistime_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Darian has not had an exceptional senior career although his run at the ITF has been quite a feat. [95], Stephens did not play again until the Washington Open in August. With these results, Stephens climbed back into the top 100 of the WTA rankings. [84], Stephens returned from injury to start the season at the Auckland Open and the Hobart International, but lost in the second round at both tournaments. [45][67][75], Stephens began 2014 at the Hopman Cup with John Isner. Sloane Stephens (born March 20, 1993) is an American professional tennis player. Kamau Murray Coaches Sloane Stephens And Kids On Chicago's - WBUR Sloane Stephens has reconnected with coach Kamau Murray days ahead of this year's U.S. Open, which Stephens won in 2017 while working with Murray. [78] Her next successful tournament came in March at the Indian Wells Open. She lost in the first round to qualifier Liudmila Samsonova in three sets. Stephens played singles for the Smash throughout the season, helping them to earn a No. . 10 Dominika Cibulkov. [107] After the Olympics, Stephens revealed she had been hindered by a left foot injury for most of the year, for which doctors recommended time off to recover. This tennis match is between Heather Watson and Sloane Stephens. After Stephens was able to push the match to three sets Halep was able to regroup and win the match. Kamau is arguably the most successful coach of Sloane so far since he led her to her highest career ranking and five out of the seven career titles she has won. Seeded 13th, she lost in the first round to Zheng Qinwen. 3 after Wimbledon in 2018. Thomas is an ex-Swedish professional player and coach who has worked with many top players such as Tommy Haas, Magnus Norman, Eugenie Bouchard, Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova, Li Na, Simona Halep, Madison Keys, and Johanna Konta. She did not get to qualify for the tournament since only four players were accepted from each country, and she ranked at number 5. [52] In late April, Stephens made her Fed Cup debut in an away playoff tie against Ukraine. Their two biggest matches came in 2018, both of which were three set finals. This loss snapped her streak of reaching the second week of every major since a third-round loss at the 2012 US Open. Stephens reached the fourth round at the Australian Open, securing her first match wins at the tournament since 2014. 198. She spent four years with Saviano before moving on and later reconciled with him in 2015.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thetennistime_com-box-4','ezslot_5',153,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thetennistime_com-box-4-0'); Saviano was a former professional tennis player and popular coach known for his long-term relationship with the former worlds number 5, Eugenie Bouchard. 37 in the world. [197], Stephens started her 2022 season at the Australian Open. [11] She started playing tennis at the age of nine at the Sierra Sport and Racquet Club, a tennis facility located across the street from her house where her stepfather regularly played and her mother was taking lessons. Thomas was able to win only a Singles career title before retiring from playing tennis.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thetennistime_com-banner-1','ezslot_10',154,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thetennistime_com-banner-1-0'); After leaving Thomas, Sloane returned to her former coach, Nick Saviano. Not many athletes get to live their dream. [263] In June 2012, Stephens switched coaches to David Nainkin in order to try to qualify for the 2012 Olympics. The Coach and The Star Social Highlights UTS Testing Equipment The Eye of the Coach Legendary Racquets . Stephens, ranked No. Madison Keys, Boyfriend Bjorn Caught by Sloane Stephens Photos [148] In her final match of the season, Stephens was able to win the first set against Elina Svitolina, but ultimately lost the match. Kamau Murray (left) coaches Sloane Stephens but that's not his only job. 109, Melinda Czink, while still only 15 years old, but was unable to advance to the main draw in any of these appearances. 6 in the world, her best year-end ranking to date. [7], Smith left Stephens's father after his multiple arrests in 1994. [96] At the US Open, she was seeded at a Grand Slam tournament for the first time that year but lost in the first round to compatriot CoCo Vandeweghe. [11] Although she started out at the Evert Tennis Academy for a year working with John and Chris Evert, she then moved to the Nick Saviano High Performance Tennis Academy, where she stayed for several years. [186] In Montreal, she was beaten in the second round by top seed and world No. Sloane Stephens: "Serena Williams is rude because " She won the tournament without dropping a set for her first career WTA title. [83] After playing in one more tournament in September, she ended her season early to recover from a wrist injury. She is enshrined in the Boston University Athletic Hall of Fame and recognized as the greatest swimmer in the history of the university. 8 seed. [258][259], Stephens has been perceived as having a nonchalant attitude towards losing matches and striving to meet expectations. Sloane Stephens: Finding her Game, Finding her Zen in Charleston [206] At the French Open, she upset 26th seed, Sorana Crstea, in the second round. First, she qualified for the Premier-5 Italian Open and advanced to the second round. [104], In contrast to previous years where Stephens struggled at smaller tournaments while still doing well at bigger tournaments, she struggled at the Grand Slam tournaments and high-level Premier events in 2016. It'll be okay, don't worry. Azarenka eliminated Stephens for the third consecutive year. [189] She was defeated in the third round by 16th seed and 2016 champion, Angelique Kerber. Seeded 24th at the Australian Open, she was eliminated in the first round by Zhang Shuai, despite serving for the match in the second set. Whereas the other leading Americans are some of the most aggressive players on the WTA Tour, Stephens has a more passive approach. [201] In Miami, she lost in the second round to 16th seed and world No. In Murray's absence, Stephens had worked with Sven Groeneveld for three months. 11 in the world,. [221] She was double bageled in her quarterfinal match by eventual champion Camila Giorgi. After departing from Saviano for the first time in 2009, Sloane began working with an ex-Bahamas tennis player who turned coach, Roger Smith. He currently coaches Taylor Fritz. 10, Karolna Plkov, in the second round. Chicago will return to World TeamTennis this summer, with 2017 U.S. Open women's champion Sloane Stephens leading the expansion Smash. Her second title of the year also came on hardcourt at the Mexican Open. She was eliminated in the first round by ninth seed Garbie Muguruza. Emma Hruby Dec 22, 2022. Their relationship ended in 2012; David Nainkin. "[224] Both players have been ranked in the top 10 by the WTA. [37][38][39] During the summer of 2008, Stephens won her first professional title in doubles at a low-level $10K event in Wichita alongside partner Christina McHale. During the time she won the US Open and made the final at Roland Garris, many made many comparisons and comparisons between Serena and. At the Bad Homburg Open, her first grass-court tournament of the season, Stephens was beaten in the first round by British qualifier Katie Swan. She has cited her grandfather as her hero and one of her biggest influences growing up. [132] In March, Stephens returned to form and won the Miami Open, her first Premier Mandatory title. She finally did end her season upon being diagnosed with a stress fracture. [291][13][292], Stephens has been married to United States national soccer team player Jozy Altidore, who was also one of her childhood friends in Florida, since 1 January 2022. [265] Although the pair worked well together, Stephens split with Annacone in late 2014 after not matching the success from her previous year that season. She became a promising junior player, reaching an ITF junior ranking of world No. [103] Part of her prize in Charleston included a car from the title sponsor Volvo, which Stephens was unaware of until after the tournament. Stephens was born on March 20, 1993 in Plantation, Florida to Sybil Smith and John Stephens, both of whom were accomplished athletes. August 2, 2022 2 Mins Read Stephens was born on March 20, 1993, to accomplished athletes Sybil Smith and John Stephens in Plantation, Florida. Gracheva won 7-6 (4), 6-3 in an hour and 51 minutes against . Emma Hruby Jan 18, 2022. "I've known him for a really long time. 306 and lucky loser, Nefisa Berberovi, in three sets. Sloane Stephens' Coach on 'Creative' Ways They Kept Up Her Training Regimen amid Pandemic Still, she says, "The pandemic has taught me to focus more on what I can control and less on what I cannot. Coaching changes set to inspire - Roland-Garros - The 2023 Roland Now the Grand Slam champion is here to sh. Sloane Stephens hasreconnected with coach Kamau Murray days ahead of this year's U.S. Open, which Stephens won in 2017 while working with Murray. The two have reuinted this year. [69] She then lost to world No. 128 in the world. Roger, who only recorded three (3) Doubles titles during his career, led Sloane to 3 Doubles Grand Slams titles as a junior player and into the Worlds Top 100. 9, Carla Surez Navarro, in the second round for her first top-ten victory in almost two years. Here, Stephens upset No. 2, Maria Sharapova. 3 in the world. Sloane Stephens headlines Chicago's expansion World TeamTennis 22 US Open Doubles Finalist; Taylor Fritz was one of the first five players to benefit from the program. [190], At the first edition of the Chicago Fall Classic, Stephens was eliminated in the first round by 13th seed Tamara Zidanek. Sloane Stephens splits with coach Sven Groeneveld just before US Open 22 in the world. 33 Julia Grges to advance to her first US Open quarterfinal and her first major quarterfinal since Wimbledon in 2013. Stephens started her clay-court season at the Charleston Open. [43][44] After starting the year ranked No. [9][10], Stephens moved to her mother's hometown of Fresno in California at the age of two. [213] At the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, she lost in the second round to world No. [194] The USA won the tie over Spain 2-1 to advance to the semifinals. Kamau also established a Tennis Programme named XS in Chicago. Sloane Stephens is "on a break" from her coach, Kamau Murray, Murray has told the New York Times. [210] At Wimbledon, she lost in the first round to Zheng Qinwen. In the first tie, Slovakia beat the USA 21. At just 19 years old Sloan Stephens lived hers and won the 2017 US Open. [246] Both of these wins came before Halep entered the top ten in 2014. 38. [73] She lost in the next round to No. [82], Stephens did not do well at the US Open either, losing in the second round to world No. She was eliminated in the second round by compatriot, seventh seed, and eventual champion, Danielle Collins. [67] She played in the Fed Cup playoff tie in April and lost her only match against Sweden's Sofia Arvidsson. [20], Stephens began 2009 by winning her first two tournaments of the year, the Grade 1 USTA International Spring Championships and the Grade A Italian Open. [281][282][283], Stephens has previously signed a deal with the American Express credit card company and was formerly an endorser of the Listerine mouthwash product. Stephens also reached a career-high ranking of No. In her first tournament back, she made it to the quarterfinals at the Brisbane International to set up an encounter with world No. That is a definite contest. [207] She reached the quarterfinals for the first time since 2019 by defeating 23rd seed and world No. [138], Stephens is an all-court player, having reached the quarterfinals or better at all four majors. Her successful year was cut short by a foot injury that kept her out for months. She defeated three top-ten players at the event, including No. [167] This match garnered a lot of praise from tennis experts. Darian is a Barbadian tennis player who is currently ranked 402 in the Singles and 282 in the Doubles. Stephens also withdrew from her last match with a wrist injury. Nadal's former coach Roig to work with American Stephens They have organized programs in Compton, Fresno, and Fort Lauderdale. 6 Caroline Wozniacki in Canada, and No. She demonstrated this type of mindset after her early 2014 US Open loss, saying, "I'm not gonna dwell on this. [286], Stephens credits her mother for supporting her career as a tennis player since she was very young. [127] Nonetheless, the United States won the tie 32 to give Stephens her first Fed Cup crown. 10 Angelique Kerber in the fourth round and quarterfinals, and No. 2 seed in the WTT Playoffs. She has also reached a new career-high ranking at No. [93] In her only grass-court tune-up, Stephens made it to the semifinals at the Eastbourne International. 11 towards the end of 2013, she regressed and stayed outside the top 25 to the end of 2015. 3 player in the world, in the second round. The foundation is run by Stephens, her mother, and her uncle Ronald Smith. With Smith as her coach, she became a top-ranked junior with three Grand Slam tournament doubles titles and also cracked the top 100 of the WTA rankings. Sloane Stephens splits with coach Paul Annacone - USA TODAY 3, 2021: French Open fourth round, out of top 50, 2022: First title since 2018, French Open quarterfinal, Last edited on 28 February 2023, at 15:01, https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1605598193718161408, "For a Rising Tennis Star, a Connection, Then Dealing With Loss", "She beat Venus to reach the U.S. Open final. Her mother was a swimmer in Division I history. [142], For the second straight year, Stephens began the Asian hardcourt season with multiple losses. doTerra is a company that primarily sells essential oils, while Precision Nutrition provides coaching for diet and exercise. Sloane Stephens is a top-rated American female tennis player with a lot to offer and a potential successor to the retired Serena Williams. He also recorded a Singles title and three Doubles career titles during his time. Nonetheless, she finished the year as the youngest player in the top 50 at No. He was also the one who advised her to pursue a career in tennis before she proceeded to Boca Raton to train. Another opportunity for the both of us. Emma Hruby . She defeated Lucie Hradeck in her first career main-draw match before losing to the defending champion, 12th-seeded Vera Zvonareva. He coached Sloane Stephens to a US Open title, but Kamau Murray's big goal is a youth tennis center in Chicago He's creating a pipeline of black tennis talent By David Mendell February 23, 2018 Tennis instructor Kamau Murray watches over Jabari Cooke, 15, at the non-profit XS Tennis Village in Chicago. [54] Finally, she produced her best result at a Grand Slam tournament to date by reaching the fourth round at the French Open. 28, Yulia Putintseva. [162] After Monterrey, the WTA tour was suspended from the rest of March through July due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[163][164]. Her former junior coach Chris Evert has questioned her motivation on multiple occasions and attributed stretches of inconsistency at various times in her career to her mentality. In the first such match, the French Open final, Halep came from a set down to defeat Stephens for her first Grand Slam title. [40], In the middle of 2009, Stephens participated in World TeamTennis as a member of the New York Buzz. 2 Halep again in Cincinnati. [33] In the spring of 2008, she received a qualifying wildcard into her first WTA Tour event, the Miami Open, where she lost her opening round match. New fiance Altidore, new coach Groeneveld for Sloane Stephens She then reached her first WTA semifinal at the Internationaux de Strasbourg. "[242] International Tennis Hall of Famer Chris Evert has praised their rivalry, saying, "I liked [their match in the 2018 Canadian Open final] a lot, because that is a contrast in personalities and styles, in moods, in coaches. The American coach has worked with Sloane on two different occasions, although the second relationship was not so fruitful. She lost in the first round of the Citi Open and the Rogers Cup before a second-round loss last week in Cincinnati, a disappointing stretch of matches entering what has been her most successful major tournament. Since then, she has risen to become a star, winning a total of 7 Singles career titles, including a Grand Slam and attaining a career highest ranking of 3. Stephens was the 2017 US Open champion, and has won seven WTA Tour singles titles in total. [233][234][235][236] She grew up as a fan of the Williams sisters, but had lost some of her interest in them after they did not sign autographs at a Fed Cup tie that Stephens attended at age 12. However, she was able to produce her best result at the tournament, making it to the final. IBM is already working with American stars Sloane Stephens and Frances Tiafoe -- neither of whom advanced to the third round of this year's U.S. Open -- to test out Coach Advisor, using them to . As Sloane Stephens plays in the French Open, the second Grand Slam event of the year, she has regrets about having competed at the first one. Just relax, everybody. [218] Seeded fourth at the Hobart International, she was defeated in the first round by qualifier, compatriot, and eventual champion, Lauren Davis. [241] In 2015, Stephens won the first set of their encounters at the Indian Wells Open and the French Open, but ultimately lost in three sets in both instances. [45], Stephens started her 2020 season at the Brisbane International. 3 in the world and reached the 2018 French Open finals while working with Murray. [173], Stephens losing streak continued at the Monterrey Open. She achieved this ranking on the 16th of July, 2018. 13 Ana Ivanovic after struggling with a torn abdominal muscle, which was initially injured during her fourth-round loss at the French Open a few months earlier. [119] Madison Keys won the other semifinal against CoCo Vandeweghe. A look at Sloane Stephens' Fresno ties", "WTA star Sloane Stephens expands youth programs in Fresno", "Tennis Pro Sloane Stephens Has Valley Roots", "Is Sloane Stephens the Future of American Tennis? American professional tennis player Madison Keys, 24, is back at the US Open (she was defeated by Sloane Stephens at the finals in 2017), and on the heels of winning the Western & Southern Open. Her mother was the first African-American woman in Division I history to be selected to the first team of All-American swimmers. 21, Jessica Pegula.[202]. She also started the Sloane Stephens Foundation, which helps build tennis courts and set up after-school tennis programs for underserved students in conjunction with supplemental tutoring. Here are the individuals that have contributed to her growth.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'thetennistime_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_4',152,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thetennistime_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Sloanes first coach was an ex-top 50 tennis player, Francisco Gonzalez, who instructed her at the Sierra Sport and Racquet Club. [134][225] They have also both been labelled as leaders of the next generation of American women's tennis. She excels at countering powerfully-hit shots, and is capable of turning defense into offense. [157] At the first edition of the Adelaide International, she was defeated in the first round in straight sets by world No. [17], Stephens began competing in low-level events on the ITF Junior Circuit in 2006 at the age of 13. [174] In Miami, she earned her first win of the season by defeating qualifier, Ocane Dodin, in the first round. [85][86] She entered the Australian Open unseeded and faced a difficult draw against Victoria Azarenka in the first round. [62] She entered the Australian Open seeded 29th, her first Grand Slam tournament as a seeded player. Around this time last year, Kamau Murray was having the. [220], Seeded second at the first edition of the Mrida Open in Mexico, Stephens got her first win of the year by beating qualifier Lolia Jeanjean in the first round. Sloane Stephens hires Rafael Nadal's former tennis coach. 30 in the world. [67][76] She finished the year at world No. She ended up taking the rest of the year off to recover. Seeded fourth, she overcame a bee sting to beat Magdalena Frch in the first round. [169] Seeded 29th at the French Open, she lost in the second round to Paula Badosa.[170]. Stephens later stated, "I kept playing when I shouldn't have,"[60] as part of an effort to try to qualify for the Olympics. [175] She was beaten in her second-round match by 28th seed and compatriot, Amanda Anisimova. [50], With an improved ranking, Stephens was able to play WTA Tour-level events the entire season. Sloane Stephens (born March 20, 1993) is an American professional tennis player. Kamau Murray coaching Sloane Stephens at last year's Open. Dec 21 (Reuters) - Former U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens has appointed Francis Roig as her new coach to revive her fortunes, after the veteran Spaniard left Rafa Nadal's team last week,. Two days later, the 26-year-old tweeted that she and Murray have reunited. [21][22] Following these big titles, she only played in the remaining junior Grand Slam events in 2009 and 2010, while also skipping the Australian Open. "[131] In the coming months, she would prove to be correct, first by snapping her losing streak at her next tournament in Acapulco. 15, Jelena Jankovic. He worked alongside Othmane Garma while coaching Sloane and worked briefly with Monica Puig before reconciling with Sloane. Who is Sloane Stephens coach? Her stepfather was a competitive recreational tennis player and was her primary inspiration for beginning to play the sport. Her father, John Stephens, was a former Pro Bowl player who played for a team in the National Football League, while her mother, Sybil Smith, was an accomplished swimmer who made history during college.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'thetennistime_com-box-3','ezslot_9',160,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thetennistime_com-box-3-0'); Sloane started playing tennis at the age of 9 alongside her mother and stepfather at the Sierra Sport and Racquet Club, located just some distance from her home. In 2018, she continued her success by winning her first Premier Mandatory title at the Miami Open, reaching a second Grand Slam singles final at the French Open, entering the top 10 for the first time, and finishing runner-up at the WTA Finals. I'm just gonna keep improving and getting better and looking forward to the next tournaments. Her favorite surface is clay, on which she was a finalist at the French Open. I'd love for both of us to be able to be in the position to play each other multiple times. Sloane took Franciscos advice at 11 and proceeded to Boca Raton to train. 5 Jeena Ostapenko in the final. [77] She was able to recover in time to open her season at the Australian Open. Stephens started her season at the first edition of the Grampians Trophy. 23, compatriot, and eventual finalist, Coco Gauff. She has never won a professional title on grass, and Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam event where she has not made it to at least the semifinals. 3, Serena Williams. In addition, she switched coaches David Nainkin in June 2012 to qualify for the 2012 Olympics. Austin mayor Kirk Watson presents Sloane Stephens with the 2023 Catalyst award Thursday night along with a $250,000 check to her foundation that works to introduce tennis to young players . [65] Although Stephens would lose her next match to world No. [71] Her best win at these two majors came in the first round of Wimbledon against world No. She began training at the Evert Tennis Academy founded by John Evert and also run by his sister, International Tennis Hall of Famer Chris Evert. [3] In March 2010, Stephens qualified for the Indian Wells Open to make her WTA debut a week before turning 17. [75] Although Stephens continued to struggle outside of the majors after the US Open, she was named the second alternate for the WTA Tour Championships. [72] Her best Grand Slam tournament results of the year came at the French Open and Wimbledon, where she reached the third round at both events. Naomi Osaka rallies to beat Sloane Stephens in return to Indian Wells. [184] She was defeated in the third round by Liudmila Samsonova in three sets. [276] At the 2021 French Open, she wore a striking all-black outfit, despite the heat. Stephens was the 2017 US Open champion, and has won seven WTA Tour singles titles in total. [165] At the Cincinnati Open, she was defeated in the first round by Caroline Garcia. [45] With a higher seed, Stephens had a strong US Open series for the second consecutive year. Coach.