“Jozy and I have decided to end our marriage”: Sloane Stephens announces split from former USMNT striker Jozy Altidore

American tennis player Sloane Stephens and her soccer star husband Jozy Altidore are ending their marriage after four years. The 2017 US Open champion and former U.S. Men’s National Team striker filed for divorce in Florida. Stephens announced the news on social media Saturday, highlighting the personal nature of the separation and requesting privacy.

In her Instagram stories, she explained that the split is being handled respectfully and calmly, writing that “Jozy and I have decided to end our marriage. With peace, I am navigating this transition with mutual respect and kindly ask for privacy during this time. Thank you for your love, understanding and continued support.”

The couple’s relationship began as childhood sweethearts, first meeting in middle school at Boca Prep in Florida. They became engaged in 2019 and married three years later, in January 2022, at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in Miami Beach, a ceremony noted for its luxury and public attention. Their engagement announcement included a photo of Stephens wearing a diamond ring shared via Twitter in April 2019.

Stephens, 32, recently returned to competitive tennis after a hiatus caused by a left foot injury. Her first Grand Slam since 2025 was the Australian Open, where she advanced through three rounds of qualifying before being eliminated in the first round by Karolina Pliskova. The comeback represents a significant step in her effort to reestablish herself on the tour after a period of extended absence.

The 2017 US Open champion reached a career-high ranking of No. 3 but is currently ranked 775 in the world singles standings. Her return to the tour demonstrates both persistence and resilience, navigating the challenges of injury recovery and competitive readiness. Stephens will continue her comeback later this month at the WTA 500 tournament in Merida, Mexico, marking another step toward regaining her position among the top players in the sport.

Her recent Grand Slam participation was notable as it was her first appearance since losing at the Australian Open to Aryna Sabalenka in 2025. Despite the first-round exit, her progress through the qualifiers reflects dedication to returning to top-level competition. In July 2025, she received the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award at the ESPYs for her philanthropic work, recognizing more than a decade of commitment beyond the court.

The American player experienced a negative streak that lasted longer than expected. From her third-round defeat at the Madrid Open in 2024 to Maria Sakkari, she entered a difficult run in which she suffered 13 consecutive losses and lost 20 of the following 22 matches. Stephens played only one match after the 2025 Australian Open — a defeat in Merida — before taking a six-month break. At the end of the year, she returned to compete in two tournaments, losing both.

Jozy Altidore, 36, had a prolific soccer career in both MLS and Europe. He scored 62 goals in 139 regular-season matches for Toronto FC between 2015 and 2021. Altidore also played for clubs including the New York Red Bulls, Villarreal, Xerez, Hull City, Bursaspor, AZ Alkmaar, and Sunderland.

Internationally, Altidore scored 42 goals in 115 appearances for the U.S. Men’s National Team from 2007 to 2019, including participation in the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup final. He was twice named U.S. Soccer Federation Player of the Year.

Earlier this week, Altidore joined NBA star Russell Westbrook as part of the OKC for Soccer ownership group. The partnership acquired the rights to the USL Championship team formerly known as OKC Energy. The group plans to launch a team in a new stadium scheduled to open in downtown Oklahoma City in 2028, signaling a transition from player to executive involvement in the sport.