Sloane at home in Zhuhai spotlight
Affable American’s big personality and big game liven up WTA event
If Sloane Stephens ever falls out of love with tennis, she could probably launch a career in comedy.
The 24-year-old endeared herself to a whole new legion of fans with a hilariously frank post-final media conference after winning her first Grand Slam at the US Open in September.
Asked if she’d the desire to win more majors, the American had the Flushing Meadows media room in stitches when she replied: “Of course, girl! Did you see the ($3.7 million winner’s) check that lady handed me? If that doesn’t make you want to play tennis I don’t know what will.”
More laughs ensued when she said of the presentation ceremony: “When I was getting my picture taken I was worried about my boob sweat because this is a picture they are probably gonna use ... and I look terrible.”
The clips have been viewed over four million times on Chinese social media, so for reasons both personality and sport-related, Stephens is probably the biggest draw at this week’s year-end WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai.
However, the world No 13 is slightly taken aback by her media profile here.
“The funny thing is when I first practiced with Peng Shuai at the Wuhan Open she came to me and said, ‘You know what? You are so famous in China!’ I was like, ‘Why?’ ” Stephens said on Tuesday.
“That’s how I am all the time. I was able to really enjoy myself and have really a good time (at the US Open).”
After back-to-back firstround losses in Wuhan and Beijing, Stephens hopes to return to winning ways in Zhuhai, which features 12 of the world’s top players, including CoCo Vandeweghe and former world No 1 Angelique Kerber, in a round-robin format.
“When I first started to play again this season, I didn’t think I would be able to play here,” said Stephens, who had dropped to world No 957 and initially struggled on her return from an 11-month foot-injury absence at Wimbledon.
Even if her comeback didn’t go exactly according to plan, the Floridian felt rejuvenated following her enforced break and she ultimately made her breakthrough in New York.
“The off time just gave me a new start and a refresher,” she said.
“When I came back to play I really just missed competition. I am excited about being on the court again.”
She has vowed, though, not to let the weight of expectation that comes with being a slam champion burden her.
“Obviously there is more pressure is on me, which kind of takes the fun out of it,” she added.
“You can’t be yourself and you don’t enjoy it as much. So I am trying to stay away from that and I am just trying to be happy and always play a tournament when I am ready.”