A former US Open champion has develop into the newest big-name tennis participant to withdraw from an upcoming match, following a number of high-profile pullouts in Dubai
Sloane Stephens has not performed since shedding to Karolina Pliskova within the Australian Open first spherical (Picture: Getty)
Sloane Stephens has withdrawn from the Merida Open in Mexico, days after saying the top of her marriage with former Premier League participant Jozy Altidore. The 2017 US Open champion and Sunderland’s former striker married on New Yr’s Day in 2022, after first assembly as youngsters whereas attending the identical center college in Florida.
Stephens introduced their break up on Instagram Tales on Saturday. She stated: “Jozy and I’ve determined to finish our marriage. With peace, I’m navigating this transition with mutual respect and kindly ask for privateness throughout this time. Thanks to your love, understanding and continued assist.”
Two days later got here affirmation of her withdrawal from the WTA 500 match. Fortunate loser Priscilla Hon, who misplaced in straight units to Cadence Brace within the second spherical of qualifying on Sunday, replaces Stephens because the first-round opponent of Renata Zarazua.
Stephens pulling out means she has nonetheless not performed since shedding her first-round match on the Australian Open to Karolina Pliskova in straight units. After coming via qualifying, her first wins since 2024, the American pressured a first-set tiebreaker from 5-1 down, however misplaced that 9-7 and the world No. 1 gained the subsequent set 6-2.
The one-time Grand Slam champion stated at a press convention afterwards that her targets for this 12 months had been “to play a number of tennis, no matter meaning.” She added: “I do not know the place that is going to take me, however be pain-free, wholesome and win a number of matches.”
Stephens performed simply 5 matches final 12 months after being sidelined from late February to mid-September due to a stress fracture in her proper foot. As such, she was simply comfortable to have ended her hoodoo on the first alternative this 12 months.
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Jozy Altidore proposed to Sloane Stephens in 2019 three years after they reconnected once more as adults (Picture: Getty)
“I feel that the three matches had been tremendous useful for me since I have not gained a match since 2024,” Stephens stated. “Both approach, it was a win for me, and I am comfortable that I simply got here and did it and type of simply obtained the monkey off my again, and I am simply able to play once more and go to the subsequent match.”
Private causes, nevertheless, are actually stopping her from returning to the courtroom after she skipped the Center East swing. The plan after Stephens’ Australian Open exit was to return for Merida after which compete at Indian Wells and Miami earlier than starting the clay-court season in Charleston.
She stated: “I am going to do this and see how I maintain up, how I get on, and go from there. I would play just a few extras on the clay this 12 months.
“I am unsure; it depends upon the place I get in as a result of I am nonetheless on the particular rating. We’ll see. Now that the hundreds attracts are greater, so I will be within the qualifiers of these, which can be advantageous, nevertheless it’ll be fascinating.”
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