WINNING US OPEN TITLE WILL ‘NOT CHANGE ME’ SAYS STEPHENS
▶ American won her first grand slam having fell to No 957 in rankings following a lengthy injury absence
Sloane Stephens is determined that her unlikely triumph at the US Open will not change her too much and believes she will remain the same home-loving woman she has always been.
Stephens, 24, produced a ruthless demolition of fellow American Madison Keys at Arthur Ashe Stadium, winning 6-3, 6-0 to win her first major on Saturday which is sure to have sponsors lining up at her door.
Stephens, however, gave an indication of her downto-earth attitude when she sat down for a chat with her vanquished opponent on court and later revealed that one of the highlights of her day had been spotting actor James Spader in the stands.
“Where am I happy?” she pondered in front of a small group of reporters at the Flushing Meadows players’ lounge.
“When I’m at home, in my bed, eating takeout with the TV on.
“With my fireplace on. Blacklist is my favourite show, did you see he was here today?
“Oh my God I love him, it’s like watching a good movie, in your bed, with your fireplace on, in your PJs, it doesn’t get any better than that.
“I did [see him]. Obviously it was not a distraction.”
Stephens had plenty of time to watch TV earlier this year having only got back on the training court in May after having foot surgery in January.
She returned to competition in July and was ranked 957th in the world early last month, making her success on Saturday even more remarkable.
Having taken the hard road to the top, Stephens said she was determined to enjoy her success.
“I’m not going to change much. Obviously there’s going to be more responsibilities and all the things I’ll have to do but I’m going to try everything the same,” she said.
“Of course there’s going to be struggles and I’m sure there will be some ups and downs and tough times because it’s never easy when things like that happen, so it’s a lot more on a person.
“It’s going to be super fun, the next couple of months, the next couple of years.”
Stephens, however, was not keen to embrace the mantel of being the leader of a younger generation of women players.
“I don’t really think about it at all,” she said.
“When I made my comeback all I was thinking was being on the court and I haven’t analysed who’s winning what or doing what. I just try to focus on myself.”
Keys, Stephens, CoCo Vandeweghe and Venus Williams became the first US women to sweep all semi-final spots at a grand slam since Wimbledon in 1985.
Keys and Stephens also became the first Americans not named Venus or Serena Williams to feature in a grand slam final since Lindsay Davenport lost to Venus at Wimbledon in 2005.
While never fun to be on the receiving end of an old fashioned thrashing, if it had to be anyone, Keys was glad it was Stephens handing out the punishment. “Sloane is truly one of my favourite people and to get to play her was really special,” Keys said.
“Obviously I didn’t play my best tennis today and I was really disappointed but Sloane was very supportive and if there was someone I had to lose to today I’m glad it’s her.”
As to what had gone wrong for Keys, she added: “I definitely think my play today came down to nerves and all of that. I just don’t think I handled the occasion perfectly. I was obviously nervous all morning.
“Sloane’s a tough opponent to play when you’re not making a lot of balls, but then, at the same time, she’s not going to miss, either.”
Stephens only got back on the training court in May after having foot surgery in January