Sloane marvels at money and journey to US Open glory
NEW YORK: Worries didn’t end for Sloane Stephens after winning her first Grand Slam title Saturday at the US Open, recalling the fabulous photographs of past champions she admired along the hallways of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“Everyone has the cutest photos on the wall in here with this trophy and that’s what I remember seeing most,” Sloane said.
“So when I was taking my pictures I was worried about my boob sweat because I was like this is a picture they are probably going to use and I look terrible.”
Such natural, candid and comedic comments summed up the champion’s mood after her 6-3, 6- 0 victory over fellow American and friend Madison Keys for a top prize of US$ 3.7 million.
Sloane, who won only US$ 310,000 this year after being sidelined for 11 months until July by a left foot injury, said her desire for more major titles was definitely fuelled. “Of course,” Sloane said. “Did you see that check that lady handed me? Like, yes. Man, if that doesn’t make you want to play tennis, I don’t know what will.”
Asked if she felt bad about inflicting the fi rst 6- 0 fi nal set in a US Open women’s final since 1976 upon her friend, Stephens noted Keys had a runner-up prize of US$ 1.825 million.
“Bad for her? She was in the fi nals, too,” Sloane said.
“Did you see the check she’s about to get? I’m sure she’ll be just fi ne.”
Told she made only six unforced errors in her 61-minute triumph, Sloane was thrilled and shocked.
“Shut the front door. I don’t think that’s ever happened to me before. Oh, my God.
That’s a stat. Snaps for me,” Sloane said, snapping her fi ngers for emphasis.
She has already made her mark in the US Open locker room, noting.
“They already engraved my name on the locker. Like, hello. This is awesome.”
But she was unsure if she had ‘arrived’ as a player.
“I don’t know if I have arrived or already arrived, been arrived,” she said. “But I do know I’m a US Open champion.”
Sloane, 24, is the girlfriend of footballer Jozy Altidore, who she met in the fi fth grade.
The American international scored two goals in Toronto’s 4- 0 Major League Soccer victory over San Jose while Sloane was in the fi nal.
“I’m happy that he scored two goals. That’s really good,” She said.
“He should have got a hat trick. It would have been such a good day.”
Sloane admitted to feel nervous the night before the match, saying she was searching for things to do.
“I was literally in my room twiddling my thumbs, looking at car reviews last night on Auto Trader. That’s how bored I was. I didn’t have anything to do,” she said, noting she wasn’t planning on buying a car. — AFP
“No, I was just looking at safety