History of Sloane Stephens in Timeline
Sloane Stephens is a professional American tennis player who achieved her career-best ranking of world No. 3 in 2018 after Wimbledon. She won the US Open in 2017 and has seven WTA singles titles and one doubles title.
1981: All-American Final at the US Open
The 2013 US Open final between Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys was a historic occasion. It was the first all-American final at the US Open since 1981, signifying a resurgence of American women's tennis.
1985: All-American Semifinal at the US Open
Sloane Stephens's 2013 US Open run included a historic achievement: her semifinal match against Venus Williams marked the first all-American semifinal at a major since Wimbledon in 1985.
March 20, 1993: Birth of Sloane Stephens
Sloane Stephens was born on March 20, 1993.
1994: Parents' Separation
Sloane Stephens's parents separated in 1994.
1995: Historic Doubles Achievement
Corina Morariu and Ludmila Varmužová were the first girls to win three Grand Slam tournament doubles titles in a single season in 1995.
1997: Mother's Remarriage
Sloane Stephens's mother married Sheldon Farrell in 1997.
1998: First American Woman to Win the US Open Since Lindsay Davenport
Sloane Stephens's triumph at the 2013 US Open made her the first American woman to claim the title since Lindsay Davenport's victory in 1998, adding to the historical significance of her achievement.
2000: Fed Cup Victory and Comeback Player of the Year
Despite a challenging post-US Open period in 2013, Sloane Stephens contributed to the United States' victory in the Fed Cup final against Belarus. This victory marked the team's first Fed Cup title since 2000. Stephens's resilience and performance throughout the year earned her the WTA Comeback Player of the Year award, highlighting her successful return to form.
2002: First All-American Semifinal at the French Open Since 2002
Sloane Stephens's 2017 French Open run included a historic milestone. Her semifinal clash with Madison Keys marked the first time two American women had faced each other in the semifinals of the tournament since 2002, signifying a resurgence in American women's tennis.
2002: Ending the US Open Title Drought for American Women
Sloane Stephens's victory at the 2013 US Open ended a significant drought for American women in Grand Slam tournaments. Her triumph marked the first time an American woman other than the Williams sisters had won a major title since Jennifer Capriati's win at the Australian Open in 2002.
2006: Highest-Ranked American Woman Since Lindsay Davenport
Following her impressive performance at the 2017 French Open, Sloane Stephens achieved a career-high ranking of No. 4 in the world. This accomplishment made her the highest-ranked American woman in singles since Lindsay Davenport in 2006, solidifying her position as a leading figure in American tennis.
2006: Start of Junior Circuit
Sloane Stephens began competing on the ITF Junior Circuit at 13 years old in 2006.
2007: Start of Professional Career
Sloane Stephens started her professional career, competing in ITF Women's Circuit events in late 2007.
2007: Stepfather's Death
Sloane Stephens's stepfather, Sheldon Farrell, passed away from cancer in 2007.
2008: First WTA Tour Event and Doubles Title
In 2008, Sloane Stephens participated in her first WTA Tour event and won her first professional doubles title.
2008: Playing in Miami
Sloane Stephens began playing at the Miami Open in 2008.
2008: First Grand Slam Doubles Final
Sloane Stephens reached her first Grand Slam doubles final at the US Open in 2008.
2009: Biological Father's Death
Sloane Stephens's biological father died in a car crash in 2009.
2009: World TeamTennis Debut
Stephens made her first appearance in World TeamTennis in 2009, playing for the New York Buzz.
2009: First Junior Tournament Wins
Sloane Stephens started 2009 by winning her first two junior tournaments: the Grade 1 USTA International Spring Championships and the Grade A Italian Open.
2009: World TeamTennis and Turning Pro
Sloane Stephens participated in World TeamTennis and decided to turn pro in October 2009.
2009: Partnership with Roger Smith
Sloane Stephens began working with coach Roger Smith in 2009. Under his guidance, Stephens flourished as a junior player, securing three Grand Slam tournament doubles titles and breaking into the WTA top 100.
March 2010: WTA Debut
Sloane Stephens made her WTA debut at the Indian Wells Open in March 2010.
2010: Signing with Under Armour
In 2010, Sloane Stephens signed an endorsement deal with the sportswear brand Under Armour.
2010: Three Grand Slam Doubles Titles
Sloane Stephens and Tímea Babos won the doubles title at three major tournaments in 2010.
2010: Focus on Junior Grand Slams
Sloane Stephens primarily focused on the remaining junior Grand Slam events in 2010.
2010: Junior Grand Slam Doubles Success
Sloane Stephens, alongside partner Tímea Babos, won three out of four major girls' doubles titles in 2010.
2011: First Professional Singles Title and Grand Slam Main Draw Debut
Sloane Stephens won her first professional singles title and made her Grand Slam main draw debut in 2011.
2011: First Loss to Lower-Ranked Player
Stephens experienced a setback in 2011 when she lost to a player ranked outside the top 200 for the first time in her career.
June 2012: Coaching Change for Olympic Qualification
In June 2012, Sloane Stephens made a coaching change, bringing on David Nainkin with the goal of qualifying for the 2012 Olympics. Despite falling short of the Olympic goal, Stephens, under Nainkin's guidance, achieved a breakthrough at the 2013 Australian Open and reached a career-high ranking of No. 11 globally.
2012: Mixed Results and First-Round Exit at Wimbledon
Sloane Stephens's 2012 season was marked by inconsistent performances. She represented the United States in the Fed Cup, losing to Caroline Garcia but winning against Virginie Razzano. Her clay-court season was relatively uneventful, with her best result being a fourth-round appearance at the French Open, where she lost to Simona Halep. However, Stephens experienced a first-round exit at Wimbledon, losing to Maria Kirilenko, ending her streak of reaching the second week of every major since the 2012 US Open.
2012: First Encounter
Sloane Stephens and Simona Halep's first encounter was in 2012 at the Barcelona Ladies Open, where Halep emerged victorious.
2013: Parting Ways and Seeking a Full-Time Coach
After the 2013 season, Sloane Stephens and David Nainkin parted ways as Stephens sought a full-time coach.
2013: Breakthrough at the Australian Open
In 2013, at the Australian Open, a then relatively unknown 19-year-old Sloane Stephens, achieved a significant victory against Serena Williams, who was in excellent form. This win marked Stephens' only victory over Williams, despite facing her in several high-level tournaments. This win propelled Stephens into the international spotlight, and she was on the verge of entering the top 10 WTA rankings.
2013: Early Victories
In early 2013, Sloane Stephens secured two victories against Simona Halep, including a notable first-round win at the Australian Open. These wins contributed to Stephens' breakthrough semifinal run in the tournament.
2013: Historic US Open Triumph
Sloane Stephens achieved a historic victory at the 2013 US Open, becoming the first American woman outside the Williams sisters to win a Grand Slam title since Jennifer Capriati's Australian Open win in 2002. Stephens, ranked 83rd in the world, used a protected ranking to enter the main draw. Her remarkable journey included victories over top players like Dominika Cibulková, Julia Görges, and Anastasija Sevastova. In the semifinals, she faced Venus Williams, winning in a thrilling three-setter. This set up an all-American final against Madison Keys, the first at the US Open since 1981. Stephens's victory in straight sets secured her maiden Grand Slam title and marked her as the lowest-ranked US Open champion ever.
2013: Upset Victory and Consistent Grand Slam Performance
Sloane Stephens had a remarkable year in 2013, highlighted by her upset victory over Maria Sharapova at the Cincinnati Open. This win marked her second significant upset of the year. She also reached the fourth round of the US Open, where she lost to Serena Williams. Notably, Stephens consistently performed well in Grand Slam tournaments, reaching the second week of all four majors. This accomplishment placed her among the top players, including Serena Williams and Agnieszka Radwańska.
2013: Fed Cup Debut and US Team Victory
Sloane Stephens made her Fed Cup debut in 2013, contributing to the US team's victory.
2013: Australian Open Semifinalist
Sloane Stephens rose to prominence with a semifinal run at the 2013 Australian Open, defeating Serena Williams.
2013: Australian Open Victory and Controversy
Stephens' victory over Serena Williams at the 2013 Australian Open led to a strained relationship between the two players, sparked by a controversial comment from Serena.
2014: Brief Stint with Thomas Högstedt
In late 2014, Sloane Stephens briefly worked with coach Thomas Högstedt.
2014: Overcoming Injury and Reaching New Heights
Sloane Stephens began 2014 partnering with John Isner at the Hopman Cup but withdrew due to a wrist injury. Despite this setback, she recovered in time for the Australian Open, reaching the fourth round. At the Indian Wells Open, Stephens achieved a milestone by reaching her first quarterfinal at a Premier Mandatory event. Her successful run included an upset victory over No. 13 Ana Ivanovic.
2014: Joining the Washington Kastles
Stephens joined the Washington Kastles for the 2014 World TeamTennis season.
2014: Responding to Setbacks
In 2014, following an early loss at the US Open, Sloane Stephens demonstrated resilience and a positive outlook, stating her intention to focus on improvement rather than dwelling on the defeat. This approach, characterized by a seeming nonchalance towards losses, has been a subject of discussion, with some, like her former coach Chris Evert, questioning her motivation while others acknowledge its role in her ability to bounce back from challenges.
2014: Struggles and Success at Grand Slams
In 2014, Sloane Stephens faced challenges due to an abdominal injury, affecting her performance outside of Grand Slams. She reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, losing to Victoria Azarenka. Stephens had a notable run at the French Open, reaching the fourth round before losing to Maria Sharapova. She continued her Grand Slam success at Wimbledon, making it to the quarterfinals without dropping a set to a seeded player. Her best performance at Wimbledon was a first-round victory against world No. 25, Jamie Hampton.
2014: Halep's Dominance Begins
From 2014 onward, as Simona Halep solidified her position in the top ten, she went on to win all six of her encounters with Sloane Stephens.
2014: Working with Paul Annacone
In 2014, Sloane Stephens hired Paul Annacone, renowned for coaching tennis legends Pete Sampras and Roger Federer, becoming the first woman to be under his tutelage. Despite their positive dynamic, the pair separated in late 2014 due to Stephens not replicating the success of the previous year.
2015: Return to Nick Saviano and First WTA Title
At the start of 2015, Sloane Stephens reunited with her long-time junior coach, Nick Saviano. Under Saviano's guidance, Stephens achieved a significant milestone by winning her first WTA title, although her WTA ranking didn't see a considerable rise.
2015: Potential Successor and Strained Relationships
By 2015, Stephens was considered a potential successor to Serena Williams in American women's tennis. However, their relationship became complicated after the 2013 Australian Open, where Stephens defeated Serena.
2015: Encounters at Indian Wells and French Open
In 2015, Sloane Stephens faced Serena Williams at the Indian Wells Open and the French Open. Despite winning the first set in both matches, Stephens ultimately lost to Williams in three sets.
2015: Ranking Decline
Sloane Stephens's ranking regressed, and she remained outside the top 25 by the end of 2015.
2015: First Encounter with Keys
Stephens and Madison Keys first played each other in the second round of the 2015 Miami Open, with Stephens winning in straight sets.
2016: Coaching Change and Resurgence
Sloane Stephens started working with coach Kamau Murray and won three WTA titles in the first half of 2016.
2016: Facing Former Champions
During the 2016 US Open, Stephens faced Angelique Kerber, the 2016 champion, in the third round.
2016: Partnership with Kamau Murray and Rise to Prominence
In the 2016 season, Sloane Stephens made a significant coaching change by teaming up with Kamau Murray. This partnership proved fruitful as Stephens established herself as a top player, securing three titles.
2016: Challenges and Injury Setbacks
In 2016, Sloane Stephens faced a challenging year, struggling to replicate her previous successes at Grand Slams and Premier events. Her best Grand Slam results were third-round appearances at the French Open and Wimbledon. Stephens's season ended early due to a left foot injury, for which doctors recommended rest. The injury significantly impacted her performance throughout the year.
2017: US Open Victory and Comeback Player of the Year
Sloane Stephens won the US Open and was named WTA Comeback Player of the Year in 2017.
2017: Reflecting on Her Mother's Support
Upon winning the 2017 US Open, Sloane Stephens expressed gratitude for her mother's unwavering support throughout her tennis journey. She recounted an incident from age 11 when her mother maintained belief in her potential, even after a junior tennis academy instructor offered a less optimistic outlook.
2017: US Open Triumph and Career High
The year 2017 marked a peak in Sloane Stephens' career. With Kamau Murray as her coach, she achieved a groundbreaking victory by winning her first major title at the US Open. This win propelled her to a career-high ranking of No. 3 globally.
2017: Playing for the Philadelphia Freedoms
Stephens began playing for the Philadelphia Freedoms in the World TeamTennis league in 2017.
2017: US Open Champion
Sloane Stephens won the US Open singles title in 2017.
2017: Surgery and Time Off for Recovery
Following her foot injury in 2016, Sloane Stephens underwent surgery, which sidelined her for the first half of 2017. The initial expectation was a few months of recovery, but the surgery's complexity extended her absence from the court. Her last WTA event in 2016 was at the end of July, with a world ranking of No. 22.
2017: Graduating with a Bachelor's Degree
In late 2017, Sloane Stephens graduated from Indiana University East with a bachelor's degree in communications studies. She completed her degree while recovering from foot surgery earlier that year, highlighting her commitment to education alongside her tennis career. She has acknowledged that this time away from tennis provided valuable perspective.
2017: US Open Final
In a significant moment in both players' careers, Stephens defeated Keys in the 2017 US Open final to win her first Grand Slam title.
2017: Challenges and a Hard-Fought Win
In 2017, Stephens experienced early exits at the Silicon Valley Classic, the Canadian Open, and the Western & Southern Open. However, at the US Open, ranked 66th, she fought her way to the third round after a tough first-round victory against Madison Keys, the 2017 finalist.
2017: Meeting Her Idol and Relationship with the Williams Sisters
In 2017, Sloane Stephens had the opportunity to meet her childhood idol, Kim Clijsters, who personally congratulated her on her US Open victory. Stephens has also spoken about being a fan of the Williams sisters, even having a poster of Serena in her room as a child. Although she initially had a neutral experience with them at a match she attended, Stephens developed a good relationship with the sisters over time, expressing respect for Serena's strong personality.
2017: Reaching New Heights: French Open Final and Career-High Ranking
Despite a challenging clay-court season in 2017, Sloane Stephens reached new heights at the French Open, advancing to her first Grand Slam final since her US Open victory. She showcased her resilience and determination by overcoming Madison Keys in the semifinals. Although she lost to Simona Halep in the final, Stephens's performance propelled her to a career-high ranking of No. 4 in the world.
2018: First Title Since 2018
Stephens began the year with a win at the Abierto Zapopan in Guadalajara, claiming her seventh WTA singles title. This victory marked her first final appearance and title since 2018. However, she had to withdraw from the Monterrey Open and faced early losses at the Indian Wells Open and Miami Open.
2018: Two Defining Finals
The year 2018 witnessed two significant finals matches between Sloane Stephens and Simona Halep. In the French Open final, Halep staged a comeback from a set down to clinch her first Grand Slam title, marking a rare occurrence in Grand Slam singles finals history. Their next encounter, the final at the Canadian Open, widely regarded as the match of the year by the WTA, saw Halep win a hard-fought battle. These losses were particularly significant for Stephens as they marked her first losses in WTA Tour finals.
2018: A Budding Rivalry
The year 2018 saw high-profile matches between Sloane Stephens and Simona Halep, which led to the development of a rivalry, although Stephens has downplayed it because of her losing record against Halep. Despite this, tennis legend Chris Evert praised their rivalry for its contrasting personalities, styles, and approaches to the game.
2018: Second Season with the Freedoms
Stephens played her second season with the Philadelphia Freedoms in 2018.
2018: Continued Success and Grand Slam Final
In 2018, Sloane Stephens won her first Premier Mandatory title, reached the French Open final, entered the top 10, and was runner-up at the WTA Finals.
2018: French Open Semifinal
Stephens and Keys met again in the 2018 French Open semifinals, where Stephens once again emerged victorious, securing her place in her second Grand Slam final.
2018: Endorsement Deal with Nike
Sloane Stephens secured an endorsement deal with Nike in early 2018.
2018: Career-High Ranking
Sloane Stephens achieved her career-best ranking of world No. 3 after Wimbledon in 2018.
2018: Best Performances Outside Majors
In 2018, aside from the French Open, Stephens' best result came at the Madrid Open where she made it to the semifinals. Her only other quarterfinal appearance was at the Charleston Open. By the year's end, she dropped out of the top 20 after losing her WTA Finals ranking points.
2018: Premier Mandatory Title and Coaching Change
In 2018, Sloane Stephens further solidified her status by clinching her first Premier Mandatory title. However, during the offseason, she decided to part ways with Kamau Murray.
August 2019: Reunion with Murray
In August 2019, shortly before the US Open, Sloane Stephens reunited with her former coach, Kamau Murray. Prior to this reunion, Stephens had a brief coaching stint with Sven Groeneveld, lasting three months.
2019: Struggles and Improvements
Despite staying in the top 10 for much of 2019 due to previous rankings, Stephens couldn't replicate her past successes. She did, however, show improvement at two Grand Slams, reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open for the first time since 2014 and the third round at Wimbledon after struggling in prior years.
2019: Joining the New York Empire
In 2019, Stephens joined the New York Empire for the World TeamTennis season.
2019: Keys' First Victory
Keys achieved her first victory over Stephens in the quarterfinals of the 2019 Charleston Open.
2019: Mixed Results on Clay
Stephens' clay-court season in 2019 was a mix of highs and lows. She had a notable victory over Madison Keys in Charleston but ultimately lost in the quarterfinals. Despite a qualifying loss at the Italian Open, she entered the main draw as a lucky loser but lost in the first round. However, she caused an upset at the French Open by defeating world No. 10 Karolína Plíšková before exiting in the fourth round.
2019: Reaching the Quarterfinals Again
Despite a series of first-round defeats leading up to the French Open, Stephens found success at Roland Garros. She reached the quarterfinals for the first time since 2019, defeating Jil Teichmann in the process, and her ranking climbed to 47.
December 2020: Earning an MBA
In December 2020, Sloane Stephens achieved another academic milestone by receiving a Master of Business Administration degree from DeVry University, demonstrating her commitment to expanding her horizons beyond professional tennis.
2020: Another Match Against a Tennis Great
In 2020, Sloane Stephens and Serena Williams played against each other once more, adding to their history of matches in high-level tournaments.
2020: Joining the Chicago Smash
Stephens joined the Chicago Smash for their inaugural season in the 2020 World TeamTennis season.
2020: Difficult Start to the Season
Stephens' 2020 season got off to a shaky start with first-round losses at the Brisbane International and Adelaide International. Her loss in Adelaide was particularly notable as it was her first defeat against a player ranked outside the top 200 since 2011. Her struggles continued at the Australian Open where she lost in the first round despite having the opportunity to serve for the match.
2021: Striking Outfit at the French Open
At the 2021 French Open, Sloane Stephens made a statement with her attire choice, donning an all-black outfit despite the heat, which drew attention for its bold aesthetic.
2021: Split with Murray and New Coaching Arrangement
In 2021, ahead of the Miami Open, Sloane Stephens and Kamau Murray parted ways. Following this split, Stephens began working with Darian King, an ATP tennis player who also serves as her practice partner.
2021: Back-and-Forth Battles
Stephens and Keys continued their competitive rivalry in 2021, with Stephens winning their encounter at the US Open in a third-set tiebreak and Keys winning at the Italian Open.
January 1, 2022: Marriage to Jozy Altidore
On January 1, 2022, Sloane Stephens married Jozy Altidore, a player for the United States national soccer team, who was also one of her childhood friends from Florida. Prior to her marriage, Stephens was in a relationship with fellow American tennis player Jack Sock for over a year.
2022: Early Exit at the Australian Open
Stephens' 2022 season began with a first-round loss to Emma Raducanu at the Australian Open.
January 2023: Head Racket Endorsement
As of January 2023, Sloane Stephens endorses Head rackets, specifically the Speed line.