Even Serena Williams admits that Sloane Stephens “…could be the best in the world someday.” I agree. And not only the best womens’ tennis player in the world but the best example of sportsmanship and class, both on and off the court.
Since I began to play tennis at the ripe old age of 40, I have competed and coached and have observed all kinds of behaviors on the court. Some, borderline shocking. People that have the sweetest demeanor off the court somehow transform into people I don’t recognize when they walk on the court. I am not a fan of the recent wave of screaming and grunting on the tennis court and will change the channel immediately if I hear it. So it’s just really nice to watch Sloane Stephens hit the ball and climb the ranks of tennis, at #15 in the world, as of this posting.
Sloane comes from a family of gifted athletes, her mother, Sybil Smith, a First Team All-American Division I swimmer, her late father, an NFL player, and her brother, Shawn Stephens, who plays baseball and football at Notre Dame High School in Los Angeles. Sloane is extremely close to her family and considers her mother her best friend.
This young lady is so enjoyable to watch that I’ve even begun to follow her on Twitter. She always has something clever, encouraging, and witty to say. It is obvious her family is not only gifted physically but also surrounds Sloane with the greatest gifts in the world, love and respect. I can’t wait to see her play again. And again, and again…
