South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)

Stephens looks to add pins to map

- By Jae-Ha Kim For more from the reporter, visit www.jaehakim.com.

From January through October of every year, tennis star Sloane Stephens is in a different city competing.

Based out of Florida, she visits her mother in Los Angeles as often as she can — and also checks in on the Sloane Stephens Foundation, which utilizes education and tennis to uplift vulnerable children.

“I honestly don’t remember where exactly (my first tennis tournament was), but I do remember that I had a lot of fun and met friends that I grew close to and continued to see at tournament­s,” Sloane said from Paris, where she was competing in the French Open. “That positive first experience with tennis is why I stuck with it. That is the type of environmen­t we create with the kids at the Sloane Stephens Foundation. We give you all the tools to take tennis as far as you want, but the most important thing is that you are finding a pathway to be healthy, happy and have a positive experience.”

Q: Do you play tennis when you’re not training?

A: The tennis season is almost year-round, and the offseason is the only monthlong training block we have all year. So, when I am actually on vacation for a few days, I focus on recovery and quality time with my family.

Q: How have you dealt with this pandemic?

A: At the beginning, I

quarantine­d in Florida with my fiance. We built a full gym in our garage and were total homebodies for the first time in our adult lives. During the November to December offseason, I trained in Los Angeles and took drives up and down the coast for a change of scenery.

Q: If you had travel plans for 2020 and 2021 and had to cancel, where were they to?

A: Trinidad! I’m a quarter Trini and have always wanted to go to Trinidad and connect with that part of my heritage. I was planning on going to Carnival in 2020. I even had my outfits picked out and everything! So, we’ll definitely need to reschedule that trip and turn up.

Q: What is your favorite vacation destinatio­n?

A: Mykonos. It is the cutest romantic getaway. The shopping is amazing and the food is unreal. The best plan is to not plan —

just take time to walk the streets and pop into all the little shops as you go.

Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?

A: I’m pretty much a profession­al packer at this point in my career since I’m away for months at a time, so I am meticulous about organizing. My carry-on and tennis bag are always fully stocked with Hydrant packets — I love the lemonade flavor — and Quantum Energy Squares. I’m an investor in both companies and use the products every day. Aside from those essentials, it’s all about the self-care items to help me feel calm and comfortabl­e no matter where I am. I carry various doTERRA Essential Oils with me and make custom blends depending on my mood. I am a total beauty buff and am always testing out different products.

 ??  ?? Tennis pro Sloane Stephens said she’s looking forward to exploring her Trinidad heritage soon. HYDRANT
Tennis pro Sloane Stephens said she’s looking forward to exploring her Trinidad heritage soon. HYDRANT

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