Sloane Stephens hails Serena Williams and Coco Gauff for inspiring the next generation of Black tennis talents: "They have strong role models to look up to"

Sloane Stephens has been competing on the WTA Tour for over a decade now. The former US Open champion has overseen the sport evolving and changing throughout the years as she discussed the influence of Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Coco Gauff among other black women at the top of the sport, influencing the next generation.

The two-time Grand Slam finalist has had a brilliant tennis career, highlighted by that incredible US Open title with a protected ranking due to a foot injury. She reached the Roland Garros final the next year but would lose against Simona Halep. A WTA Finals run to the final in 2018 would end in defeat to Elina Svitolina, but those are among the highlights of her time in the sport.

Still competing, she managed to qualify for Roland Garros but lost in the first round as she prepares for a return to home soil in the Memphis Open. In an interview with HATC Magazine, she spoke on how important it was to have black women on the circuit to inspire and motivate more black girls to get into the sport.

“I think it’s interesting because there are not that many African American women. Playing the sport of tennis and being one of the few who have been able to make an impact in my sport has been incredibly special, but I think more kids now play tennis because of Venus, Serena, Coco, and Taylor Townsend. I think that’s the coolest part of representation, where you can relate to someone."

She continued to voice this opinion with them being a role model for many children around the world, opening that door and showing it can be done. "I think when you see all the young little black girls that are playing tennis now, they have strong role models to look up to and faces to see on TV that look like them, and I think that’s incredibly special and important, because tennis is a hard sport to get into," Stephens continued, stating that many could be priced out of the sport.

"It’s incredibly expensive, and if your parents are making the sacrifice for you to be able to play tennis because they saw Vicky and Coco playing, you can relate to that, and you can pull from that story."

On the topic of role models, there are few better than the iconic Williams. The 23-time Grand Slam champion is back on the court and competing at the highest level. This has got many people back to their TV screens following her progress.

"I think that it’s important that young girls are able to see people who look like them, and I think the role models that we have now, how they have represented themselves on and off the court, I think I’m incredibly proud of Coco and Vicky and Taylor, and everyone," she commented. "I think it’s a special time in tennis because, again, we kind of have the changing of the guard, with the original guards coming back, like Serena, who is playing again. I think it’s another testament to resilience when your heart’s calling you somewhere, and you feel the need to go and do it."

Away from tennis, education is a huge factor in the American's life. Currently pursuing a doctorate, which will be her third degree, Stephens is fully committed to stuffing her head with valuable knowledge having already got degrees in communication studies and a master of business administration.

A big part of this stemmed from her parents. “It’s a big part of my life. My parents are very firm believers in education and higher education, and I’m currently getting my doctorate. I’m on my third degree now. I think this is definitely it, but I always think about how I have the most balance, the most drive and motivation when I’m in school. I was homeschooled in high school, so for me, that part of my life and my routine, I think, is so embedded in me. My mom’s an educator; she’s a psychologist.

“I am very used to having a very strict routine and schedule, and education was always a part of that for me, and so when I decided to get my doctorate, I thought, you know what, this will be good for my life, because I’ll be very anchored and balanced. Learning new things makes me feel good, but also shows our kids at the foundation that school is cool and that it’s good for you. For me, it’s completely helped structure my life, and my entire being.”

Tennis is a huge part of her life and she has competed in numerous tournaments, but she also needs other motivations away from the court. “I think the motivation changes, because I mean, once you win a certain number of tournaments, once you make enough prize money and once you have done all these amazing things, you are still playing the same exact tournaments every single year, all year long. Your motivation has to be something specific to you and something that means something to you personally.”