Career Timeline of Sloane Stephens: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Sloane Stephens made an impact.

Sloane Stephens is an American professional tennis player who reached a career-high ranking of world No. 3. Her notable achievements include winning the 2017 US Open and reaching the final of the 2018 French Open. Stephens has secured eight WTA Tour-level singles titles throughout her career. She has also attained a career-high doubles ranking of world No. 63, winning one WTA Tour doubles title.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1981: US Open all-American Semifinals

In 2017, Sloane Stephens defeated Anastasija Sevastova to set up the first all-American semifinals at the US Open since 1981.

1985: All-American Semifinals

In 2017, Sloane Stephens defeated Anastasija Sevastova to set up the first all-American semifinals at a major since Wimbledon in 1985, and the first at the US Open since 1981.

1998: First US Open Since

After winning the US Open in 2017, Sloane Stephens became the first to win the US Open since Lindsay Davenport in 1998.

2002: First American Woman

After winning the US Open in 2017, Sloane Stephens became the first American woman other than the Williams sisters to win a major title since Jennifer Capriati won the Australian Open in 2002.

2002: All-American Semifinal

In 2002, the French Open hosted its first all-American semifinal since 2002, where Sloane Stephens won a rematch of the 2017 US Open final against Madison Keys.

2006: Top 5 Ranking

In 2006, after reaching the French Open final, Sloane Stephens achieved a career-high ranking of No. 4 in the world, becoming the first American woman outside the Williams sisters to be ranked in the top 5 in singles since Lindsay Davenport in 2006.

2006: ITF Junior Circuit Debut

In 2006, at the age of 13, Sloane Stephens began competing in low-level events on the ITF Junior Circuit.

2007: Professional Debut

In late 2007, Sloane Stephens played her first professional events on the ITF Women's Circuit.

2008: US Open Doubles Final

In 2008, Sloane Stephens reached her first doubles final at a Grand Slam event, the US Open, with Mallory Burdette.

2008: WTA Tour Debut and First Title

In 2008, Sloane Stephens received a qualifying wildcard into her first WTA Tour event, the Miami Open, and won her first professional title in doubles at a low-level event in Wichita with Christina McHale.

2008: Miami Open Qualifying

Sloane Stephens had played at the Miami Open every year since 2008, but in 2008, she lost her opening round match.

2009: World TeamTennis Debut

In 2009, Sloane Stephens debuted in World TeamTennis with the New York Buzz.

2009: World TeamTennis and Turning Pro

In 2009, Sloane Stephens participated in World TeamTennis as a member of the New York Buzz. She turned pro in October following a strong junior season.

2009: First Junior Titles

In 2009, Sloane Stephens won her first two tournaments of the year: the Grade 1 USTA International Spring Championships and the Grade A Italian Open.

March 2010: WTA Tour Main-Draw Debut

In March 2010, Sloane Stephens qualified for the Indian Wells Open, making her WTA Tour main-draw debut a week before turning 17. She won her first career main-draw match against Lucie Hradecká before losing to Vera Zvonareva.

2010: Junior Doubles Titles

In 2010, Sloane Stephens achieved a junior ranking of world No. 5 and won three out of four major girls' doubles titles with her partner Tímea Babos.

2011: Climbing WTA Rankings

In 2011, Sloane Stephens continued to climb the WTA rankings, winning her first professional singles title at the Camparini Gioielli Cup in Italy and making her Grand Slam main-draw debut at the French Open. She also reached her first WTA Tour quarterfinal at the Southern California Open and made her debut in the top 100 of the WTA rankings after a third-round appearance at the US Open.

June 2012: Switched Coaches

In June 2012, Sloane Stephens switched coaches to David Nainkin in an attempt to qualify for the 2012 Olympics. Although she was ranked high enough, she narrowly missed qualifying as she was the fifth-highest ranked American, with each country being limited to four players in each draw.

2012: End of Major Streak

After losing in the first round against Maria Kirilenko at Wimbledon, Sloane Stephen's streak of reaching the second week of every major since a third-round loss at the 2012 US Open was snapped.

2012: First Encounter with Halep

In 2012, Sloane Stephens and Simona Halep first encountered each other at the Barcelona Ladies Open, with Halep winning.

2013: Cincinnati Open Upset and US Open

At the Cincinnati Open in August 2013, Sloane Stephens upset Maria Sharapova, the No. 3 player in the world. At the US Open, she lost to Serena Williams in the fourth round. She finished the year at world No. 12 and was one of only three players to make it to the second week of all four Grand Slam tournaments.

2013: Victory Against Serena Williams

In 2013, Sloane Stephens achieved her only victory against Serena Williams at the Australian Open, a win that garnered international attention.

2013: Australian Open Semifinal

In 2013, at the age of 19, Sloane Stephens rose to prominence at the Australian Open with a semifinal run, defeating world No. 3, Serena Williams.

2013: First major quarterfinal

In 2017, Sloane Stephens entered the US Open at world No. 83. The fourth round she defeated Julia Görges to advance to her first major quarterfinal since Wimbledon in 2013.

2013: Wins Against Halep

In early 2013, Sloane Stephens won their next two meetings against Halep, including a first-round match at the Australian Open.

2013: Fed Cup Debut

In late April 2013, Sloane Stephens made her Fed Cup debut in an away playoff tie against Ukraine. She won her only match, a doubles dead rubber with partner Liezel Huber, as the United States won the tie 5–0 to return to the top-level World Group.

2014: Injury and Fed Cup Playoff

Following the Australian Open, Sloane Stephens was forced to miss the United States' quarterfinal Fed Cup tie after aggravating her abdominal injury. She played in the Fed Cup playoff tie in April and lost her only match against Sweden's Sofia Arvidsson. Stephens also reached the fourth round of the French Open and the quarterfinals of Wimbledon.

2014: Hopman Cup and Australian Open

In 2014, Sloane Stephens began the year at the Hopman Cup with John Isner, finishing third in their group. At the Australian Open, she reached the fourth round. She also reached her first quarterfinal at a Premier Mandatory event at the Indian Wells Open.

2014: Washington Kastles Season

In 2014, Sloane Stephens played a season with the Washington Kastles in World TeamTennis.

2014: Australian Open

In 2014, was the last time before 2019 that Stephens had secured match wins at the Australian Open, before reaching the fourth round at the 2019 Australian Open.

2015: First Meeting with Madison Keys

In 2015, Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys first met in the second round of the Miami Open.

2015: Matches Against Serena Williams

In 2015, Sloane Stephens played three matches against Serena Williams, losing all three. She 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.

2016: Struggles at Grand Slam Tournaments and Rio Olympics

In 2016, Sloane Stephens struggled at the Grand Slam tournaments and high-level Premier events. 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. She also competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics, ending with a first round loss to Eugenie Bouchard.

2016: Coaching Change and WTA Titles

In 2016, Sloane Stephens switched to a new coach, Kamau Murray, under whom she returned to elite level and won three WTA titles in the first half of the year. However, her successful year was cut short by a foot injury that kept her out for months.

2017: US Open Victory Against Keys

In 2017, Sloane Stephens defeated Madison Keys in the final of the US Open to win her first major title.

2017: Philadelphia Freedoms Season

In 2017, Sloane Stephens played a season with the Philadelphia Freedoms in World TeamTennis.

2017: US Open Win and Comeback Player of the Year

In 2017, Sloane Stephens returned from injury and won the US Open in her fifth tournament back. She was also awarded WTA Comeback Player of the Year for her successful season.

2018: Matches Against Halep

In 2018, Sloane Stephens and Simona Halep's two biggest matches came in 2018, both of which were three-set finals: the French Open final and the Canadian Open final. Halep won both.

2018: Miami Open Win and French Open Final

In 2018, Sloane Stephens continued her success by winning her first Premier Mandatory title at the Miami Open, reaching a second major final at the French Open, entering the top 10 for the first time, and finishing runner-up at the WTA Finals.

2018: Philadelphia Freedoms Season

In 2018, Sloane Stephens played a season with the Philadelphia Freedoms in World TeamTennis.

2018: French Open Semifinal Win

In 2018, Sloane Stephens won against Madison Keys in the semifinals of the French Open to reach her second Grand Slam singles final.

2018: WTA Finals Ranking Points Loss

In 2018, Stephens lost her WTA Finals ranking points near the end of the season and fell out of the top 20 in rankings.

2018: Last Final and Title Before 2022

In 2018, prior to winning her seventh WTA singles title at the Abierto Zapopan in 2022, Sloane Stephens' last final and title win was in 2018.

August 2019: Reunited with Kamau Murray

In August 2019, Sloane Stephens reunited with her coach Kamau Murray shortly before the US Open. In Murray's absence, Stephens had worked with Sven Groeneveld for three months.

2019: First Loss to Madison Keys

In 2019, Sloane Stephens lost to Madison Keys for the first time in the quarterfinals of the Charleston Open.

2019: New York Empire Season

In 2019, Sloane Stephens played a season with the New York Empire in World TeamTennis.

2019: 2019 Season Performance

In 2019, Sloane Stephens struggled to match her best performances at Grand Slam tournaments, despite remaining in the top 10 for most of the year. She reached the fourth round at the Australian Open, and the quarterfinals at the French Open. She ended her Grand Slam season with an opening-round loss at the US Open.

2019: First Quarterfinal Since 2019

In 2019, before reaching the quarterfinals at the French Open, it was the last time Sloane Stephens reached the Quarterfinals.

2020: Match against Serena Williams

In 2020, Sloane Stephens and Serena Williams played one match.

2020: 2020 Season Start

In 2020, Sloane Stephens started her season at the Brisbane International, losing in the first round. She was also defeated in the first round of the Adelaide International and the Australian Open.

2020: Chicago Smash Season

In 2020, Sloane Stephens was set to join the Chicago Smash for their debut season in World TeamTennis.

2021: Matches Against Madison Keys

In 2021, Sloane Stephens avenged her Charleston Open defeat by beating Madison Keys but Keys prevailed at the 2021 Italian Open. They played for a third time in 2021 at the US Open and Sloane prevailed.