Sloane Stephens, born in Plantation, Florida, was seemingly destined for athletic excellence from the start. Her mother, Sybil Smith, was the first African American woman named a First Team All-American swimmer at Boston University, while her father, John Stephens, was a Pro Bowl NFL running back. Picking up tennis at age nine, Sloane quickly demonstrated exceptional promise. She trained at the prestigious Saviano High Performance Tennis Academy and emerged as a standout junior, capturing three of the four Grand Slam doubles titles in 2010 before turning professional in 2009 at just 16 years old.
Stephens made a global impact early in her career, defeating Serena Williams in the semifinals of the 2013 Australian Open at just 19. She reached a career-high ranking of World No. 3 in 2018, solidifying her place among the elite in women’s tennis. Her career highlights include winning the 2017 US Open, along with titles at the Miami Open, ASB Classic, Abierto Telcel, Volvo Car Open, and Citi Open. She was also the runner-up at the 2018 French Open and a key player on the U.S. Fed Cup team.
Off the court, Stephens has earned numerous accolades, including the 2018 ESPY Award for Best Female Tennis Player. She partnered with Jordan Brand and Nike Court for a special-edition sneaker drop during the 2019 US Open and appeared in the 2018 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, reflecting her broad cultural impact.
Beyond tennis, Sloane is a committed philanthropist. In 2013, she launched the Sloane Stephens Foundation, which provides education and enrichment opportunities to underserved youth, using tennis as a vehicle for social change. The foundation focuses on after-school programs, safe play spaces, and academic support.
A vibrant personality off the court, Sloane is passionate about fashion, music, and beauty—and she’s a self-proclaimed bingo enthusiast. Fun fact: growing up around her family’s funeral home, she once dreamed of becoming an embalmer before falling in love with tennis. Today, Sloane Stephens is not only a Grand Slam champion but also a role model and changemaker well beyond the baseline.
