"The beginning of her tennis story" - Heart warming scenes as Sloane Stephens goes out of her way for young fan at Merida Open 2023
Sloane Stephens showed off her softer side as she made time for a young fan at the recently concluded 2023 Merida Open in Mexico.
The second seed was up against Varvara Gracheva in the Round of 16 of the tournament when she lost the first set and broke her racquet in frustration. She then collected herself and eventually won the match 5-7, 6-2, 7-6.
Despite having a tough match, Stephens stopped on her way out of the stadium to greet a young girl who was waiting for her behind a locked fence. The girl asked Stephens for a ball, but as she had given them away already, she gave the young fan her broken racquet.
The girl's mother took to social media to share the special story.
"A few weeks ago, I messaged professional tennis player Sloane Stephens on IG because she was coming here for the Merida Open. I said my daughter was a big fan and would love to meet her. I left my contact information and said have your people call my people. No call," she began the post.
The girl's mother had tried to get in touch with the World No. 41 earlier to meet her daughter, who was a big fan. To her surprise, the American told the girl's mother that she stopped because she thought she recognized them as the ones who were trying to contact her.
She also wrote about the positive impression that Stephen made on her daughter, Isley.
"Isley said this is the beginning of her tennis story and when she is a famous tennis player she is always going to stop for kids. She said Sloane is her FAVORITE and Mom, can I have a racquet like hers? LOL," the fan's mother wrote.
Stephens exited the tournament in the quarterfinals after losing to Camila Giorgi.
Sloane Stephens set to compete at the ATX Open 2023
Sloane Stephens is set to compete at the ATX Open 2023 scheduled to begin from Monday, 27 February.
Stephens has had a rocky start to her 2023 season, making early exits at the ASB Classic, Hobart International and the Australian Open. The American recently made it as far as the quarterfinals of the Merida Open before being double bageled by Camila Giorgi.
She will kickstart her ATX Open campaign with the Round of 32 against compatriot Taylor Townsend tomorrow. The 29-year old will also compete in doubles with Alycia Parks and the duo will open against Ukrainians Marta Kostyuk and Dayana Yastremska.