Stephens and coach Groeneveld split prior to US Open: 'Change is never easy'

World No.11 Sloane Stephens and her coach Sven Groeneveld have ended their partnership just before the US Open, it has been revealed.

They only linked up in May this year after Stephens split with old coach Kamau Murray at the end of last season and it paid dividends to begin; with the American reaching the semi-finals in Madrid losing to eventual champion Kiki Bertens.

As well as that she reached the Quarter-Finals at Roland Garros; having lost out in the final the year before.

What likely prompted the change though was her hardcourt form; with her losing in Washington and Toronto in the opening round and to Svetlana Kuznetsova in Cincinnati who went on to lose in the final to Madison Keys.

Groeneveld is well known for previously guiding former World No.1 Maria Sharapova; as well as Caroline Wozniacki and Ana Ivanovic.

Stephens took to Twitter and said that after much thought they have split and that she is appreciative of their time as a partnership.

"After much thought, [Groeneveld and] I have decided to go our separate ways," said Stephens. "Change is never easy, but I’m so appreciative of our time together. Onward!"

https://twitter.com/SloaneStephens/status/1163451348949655552