Sloane Stephens is embracing a new chapter of her life while trying to rebuild her position on the WTA Tour. The former world No. 3 has been balancing major changes away from tennis with a difficult period on court, where her ranking has fallen to No. 135 and made it increasingly difficult to enter the sport's biggest tournaments.
Stephens separated from former US soccer international Jozy Altidore earlier this year, with the couple announcing the split in February. They had been married since 2022, and Stephens has now offered a rare glimpse into how she is approaching life following the end of their relationship.
On the tennis side, the 2017 US Open champion has also had to adjust to a very different schedule. Her most recent appearance came at the Guadalajara Open, where she reached the quarterfinals before losing to Peyton Stearns, but the tournament also marked the end of her eligibility to use her protected ranking.
That has left Stephens outside the main draws of the biggest events during the Asian swing. Instead, she is staying in the United States and competing at $100,000-level tournaments as she looks to collect enough points to climb back toward the Top 100 before the end of the season.
Stephens opens up about life after separation
Stephens was recently asked about her personal life during a question-and-answer session on Instagram Stories. Her response suggested that she is trying to focus on the present rather than waiting for circumstances to become easier or more settled.
“Yes! Absolutely life maxing right now," the former world No. 3 wrote on social media. "Living for now, saying yes to more, making the memories, and enjoying every moment as it comes. Life moves fast and I don't want to miss the good parts waiting for the ‘right’ time."
The 33-year-old has spent much of her career among the world's elite, reaching No. 3 in the rankings and winning the US Open in 2017. Her current position represents a significant change, and the expiration of her protected ranking has made the path back to the bigger tournaments considerably more complicated.
Stephens explained that her ranking would not have been enough to get her directly into the main draw at the China Open, leaving qualifying as her only possible route. Guadalajara was also the final tournament where she could use the protected ranking that had helped her return to competition.
“I am, but my ranking (135) would've only gotten me into Beijing qualies and not much else," the former US Open champion wrote. "You only get to use your protected ranking for one year, and Guadalajara was the last tournament I was eligible to use mine for. So now I'm back to getting into tournaments based on my current ranking + WC's."
Stephens targets one final push toward Top 100
Rather than travel to Asia, Stephens has opted for a more direct route to earning ranking points. She will play the $100K event in Edmond, Oklahoma, before heading to another $100K tournament in New Braunfels, Texas.
The strategy reflects the reality of her current ranking. With fewer opportunities at WTA Tour events, Stephens needs strong results at the lower levels to move back toward the Top 100 and improve her chances of entering bigger tournaments directly in the future.
She acknowledged that she is currently in an unusual position but remains focused on maximizing the remaining weeks of the season.
“I'm playing the 100K in Edmond, OK, then the 100K in New Braunfels, TX. I'm in a bit of a weird ranking spot right now, so I'm just trying to make one last push and improve it as much as I can before year-end! Doing my best."
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The American's immediate target is therefore clear: rebuild her ranking and return to the Top 100. After years of competing deep into the biggest tournaments in the sport, Stephens is now facing the less familiar task of working her way back through the lower levels.
Her personal comments point to a similar approach away from the court. Rather than looking too far ahead, Stephens says she is focused on making memories, embracing new experiences and taking the next stage of her life as it comes.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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