WTA: Reset at Stephens
After a weak season and a long break, Sloane Stephens hopes to be back on track for success in 2020.
by Robert M. Frank
last edit: Dec 02, 2019, 08:21 pm
Two years ago, Sloane Stephens (WTA 25) had made headline news. In 2017, the American won the US Open. After another title was followed in Miami in 2018 and she had reached the French Open final, the 26-year-old from Florida could convince but little in 2019, however. The former number three in the world ranking slipped this year to 25th place.
Against this background, the once highly praised US tennis talent hopes for a new start in 2020. She wants to leave her catastrophic season behind. "I'm looking forward to starting a new season because I was ready to finish it in mid-2019," Stephens told Reuters. "I'm ready for a fresh start, I literally have nothing to lose and a lot to do."
Not burned out again
The American had reached the quarter-finals at the French Open and the semi-finals of Madrid in 2019. The six-time WTA tournament winner was not able to play so successfully in her other tournament appearances. She only won four matches in her last seven starts of the year. In early October, after the WTA Premier Mandatory tournament in Beijing Stephens had prematurely ended the season. "It's about staying healthy and happy - enjoying my tennis and not getting too burned out, especially at the beginning of the year, knowing that it's going to be a very long season," Stephens said.
The American had changed the coaches several times. Launched into the season with Kamau Murray and then prepared for the season on sand and grass with Sven Groeneveld, Stephens returned to Murray afterwards. Seven months ago, the 26-year-old also became engaged to her boyfriend Jozy Altidore. Recently, Stephens had made headlines outside the tennis court. Stephens appeared in the social networks in Hawaii with permissive beach photos and read in a video a personal thank you letter to her mom . Stephens also recently held a training camp for juniors with their foundation at the National Training Center of the US Tennis Association USTA.