What Happened To Sloane Stephens? Illness And Health 2023
What happened to Sloane Stephens? 2023 has been a bad year where her battle against her illness impacted her health condition.
Sloane Stephens, an American professional tennis player, earned a career-best ranking of world No. 3 in 2018.
She won the 2017 US Open title and collected seven WTA singles titles. She became a promising junior player, winning three junior Grand Slam doubles titles in 2010.
After a breakthrough semifinal run at the 2013 Australian Open, Stephens struggled with consistency until 2016, when she won three WTA titles with new coach Kamau Murray.
Following the 2017 season rest with a foot injury, she returned to capture the US Open.
The athlete continued her success in 2018, winning the Miami Open, reaching the French Open final, and finishing runner-up in the WTA Finals.
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What Happened To Sloane Stephens?
Lately, many are asking, “What happened to Sloane Stephens? Once seen as the next great American tennis star, Stephens has faced struggles recently.
Despite making big changes and showing some progress, her journey has seen many disappointments, especially her early U.S. Open loss.
The player made a big move, reuniting with former coach Kamau Murray, who helped her win the 2017 U.S. Open.
This led to some better play, reaching the third round in Cincinnati and Cleveland.
But she continued struggling at Grand Slams, losing early at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and now the U.S. Open, plus a fourth-round French Open finish.
She faced a tough loss to Beatriz Haddad Maia at the U.S. Open, overshadowing her recent progress. Though confident in her game, Stephens failed to capitalize at key moments.
Her speed stayed impressive, but inconsistent footwork and a lack of aggression at crucial times hurt her.
The match’s turning point came when the player missed chances in the third set, unable to convert when ahead 40-15 in games.
Haddad Maia’s strong play, marked by 40 wins and a focus on her own game, secured the win.
She acknowledges her disappointment but remains determined to improve. She recognizes the need to capitalize on upcoming chances to climb the rankings.
Despite setbacks, the athlete has faith in her abilities and focuses on refining her game.
Sloane Stephens Illness
In January 2017, Sloane Stephens received an alarming call from her close friend, NBA player Quincy Pondexter, saying he was seriously ill.
She quickly helped get him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with MRSA. Facing a life-threatening situation, Pondexter was quarantined as doctors warned he could die.
The player, who was at the time recovering from foot surgery, spoke to him daily on FaceTime.
Watching her friend confront mortality gave Stephens perspective on her own injury struggles.
She realized that sitting out tennis with an injured foot paled compared to Pondexter fighting for his life.
When the tennis player returned to tennis after 11 months away, she had a refreshed outlook fueled by this close brush with grave illness.
Sloane Stephens Health 2023
Now in 2023 and age 26, Sloane Stephens aims to capitalize on her physical prime years on tour.
She became refocused this season after a coaching change, hiring former Sharapova mentor Sven Groeneveld.
He has brought structure to support her fluid, well-rounded game. The athlete can beat anyone when focused, using her blazing speed and heavy topspin forehand.
However, inconsistent motivation has hampered her consistency. She seems happy after recently getting engaged to soccer player Jozy Altidore off the court.
Though content personally, the player still recoils at the idea of fully “growing up.
She feels her tennis clock ticking after eight years of playing the Madrid Open, but she doesn’t want adult responsibilities.
She has embraced speaking up as a veteran, like demanding footage of a crying opponent be removed from TV.
Currently ranked No. 8 in the world, she heads into the French Open regarded as a threat.
If the player can maintain her health and focus, she has the versatility and experience to capitalize during her physical prime.
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