2017 US Open Champion Stephens Hints At Retirement With Unsure Comment
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Sloane Stephens had a mixed 2024 season, and the WTA star does not know how long she will continue competing.
Stephens is best known for winning the 2017 US Open, defeating compatriot and close friend Madison Keys in the final. She also had an excellent 2018 season, finishing as the runner-up at the French Open and the WTA Finals.
Some expected Stephens to continue challenging for Grand Slams. However, although she has remained consistently inside the Top 100 in the WTA rankings, 2018 was the last year she challenged for the most significant honors in tennis.
Stephens explained one of the reasons for that when appearing on Caroline Garcia's Tennis Insider Podcast, admitting that her drive to reach the very top of the sport is not the same as that of players like Coco Gauff.
The 31-year-old has interests outside of tennis, including her own body care brand, Doc & Glo, which she launched this year and devoted much time to throughout 2024.
Stephens' commitment to that project might partially explain why her results dipped sharply this season. She started steadily in the opening three months, including reaching the third round of the Australian Open.
The American won her second WTA Tour title (at 250 level and above) since the end of 2018 on indoor clay at the Rouen Open in April. Stephens overcame the gritty Magda Linette in three sets in the final.
That was followed by two good victories at the Madrid Open. Unfortunately, Stephens severely struggled for the rest of the year, only managing two victories until the season ended.
The most brutal of those defeats came in the first round of the US Open on Arthur Ashe Stadium. Stephens looked to be cruising to victory at 6-0, 4-1 up against Clara Burel, but eventually lost 6-0, 5-7, 5-7.
Nonetheless, Stephens' fluid playing style, previous success, and likable personality mean she remains among the most popular players on the WTA Tour. The Rouen Open winner recently played an exhibition match against Keys in Charlottesville.
Speaking at a press conference with Keys and Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe, who played in Charlottesville after Stephens and Keys, the former US Open champion admitted she does not know when retirement will come.
"The year was fun. I heard there was a lot going on. Obviously life is life, but I think that obviously in tennis there's a lot of ups and downs. So I think it's just kind of how you manage your year."
"And obviously for me, I realized that I'm like the oldest person here and very ancient, but I have enjoyed just traveling and being on tour and competing, and I think that's the most important part for me."
"So obviously, to take that into 2025 will be important for just the longevity of my career. I don't know how much longer I'm going to play, so just making sure that I enjoy it and having a good time."
Although Stpehens' results have not been as strong in recent years as 2017 and 2018, the 31-year-old will be much missed when she retires from professional tennis.
