Sloane Stephens hinted at how much longer she may play professional tennis.
2025 will mark the American’s 16th season on the WTA Tour after making her main draw debut back in 2010.
The 31-year-old has played on some of the biggest stages in the game and has won some of the biggest titles, including the 2017 US Open.
But things have been a struggle for the American in recent years and now into her thirties, Stephens could hang up her racket sooner rather than later.
What did SIoane Stephens say about her tennis future?
Sloane Stephens has been as high as number three in the world and not only did she win the US Open, she reached the 2018 French Open final, losing to Simona Halep.
She has been ranked inside the top 10 and faced the best players in the world for a number of years.
In 2024, Stephens slipped to number 78 in the world rankings and she has not won a match since July’s Wimbledon Championships. In fact, she ended the season on a five-match losing streak.
Stephens was in action on Friday night however, when she played Madison Keys in an exhibition match in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Ahead of the contest, Stephens told reporters in a press conference that she does not know how much longer she will continue playing. “Tennis has a lot of ups and downs so I think it’s about how you manage your year,” she told reporters.
“Obviously I realised I’m the oldest person here and very ancient, but I have enjoyed just travelling and being on tour and competing and I think that is the most important part for me.
“So to take that into 2025 will be important, I think for the longevity of my career, I don’t know how much longer I’m going to play so I’m just making sure I enjoy it and have a good time.”
Sloane Stephens ended 2024 with exhibition match against Madison Keys
Stephens travelled to Charlotte, North Carolina to play against compatriot Keys in an exhibition contest. Keys broke her opponent’s serve at 5-5, before successfully serving for the opening set.
The World number 21, continued her momentum and broke Stephens’ serve in the opening game of the second set.
Keys won the match by breaking Stephens serve again at the second set to complete a 7-5, 6-3 victory, which was followed by a warm embrace between the pair.
On that same evening, Francis Tiafoe defeated Carlos Alcaraz 5-7, 6-1, [11-9] in an entertaining affair. The contest took place just two days after Alcaraz beat Ben Shelton at Madison Square Garden in another exhibition match.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
