WATCH: Sloane Stephens dances on the street to "Love Island" theme song, cheerfully heads to US Open 2024
American tennis player Sloane Stephens danced on the street to the theme song from the reality TV series "Love Island" en route to the 2024 US Open. She shared a clip on X of her dancing as she made her way to the final Grand Slam of the year in New York.
Stephens lifted her first Grand Slam title in 2017 and has been keen to win her second since then. In 2024, she has had upsets at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon in both singles and doubles.
The 31-year-old recently posted a short clip of her twirling around to the "Love Island" song with her soft pink-colored tennis kit on X.
"Heading to the @usopen like," Stephens said.
Sloane Stephens also posted the same on her Instagram story in anticipation of the reality show "Love Island USA Reunion" airing on Monday, August 19.
"Waiting for the @loveislandusa like," Stephens said.
During the 2024 Australian Open, Stephens opened up in an episode of "Cinema Sessions" hosted by Australian Open TV about a probable retirement after winning her second Grand Slam title.
"There's more, I feel like there's more. But let me tell you this, if I win a Grand Slam, I’m never playing tennis again. That would be the last, I’ll be like, 'I'll see you guys never, I’m out,'" Stephens said [at 13:23].
Sloane Stephens on the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive people
Sloane Stephens, with a career-high doubles ranking of World No. 85, recognizes the importance of becoming the 'CEO' of her own "little team" from a young age. Appearing in a 2023 interview with Teen Vogue, she said:
"Even though tennis is an individual sport, you also are essentially the captain and CEO of your own little team, which when you’re just starting out can feel like so much, especially when you’re still figuring out who you are as a young person and learning to navigate life as a professional athlete."
"It’s really important to surround yourself with people you trust and who you know have your back and are all aligned on your goals," she added.
Stephens, 31, has amassed seven WTA Tour singles titles in her tennis career. Her career-defining moment came at the 2017 US Open when she ousted Julia Görges to advance to her first Major quarterfinal since Wimbledon in 2013. She further defeated Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia and secured a seat in the first All-American US Open semifinals, where she trounced Venus Williams before a victory over Madison Keys in the finals.