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Data urodzenia: 20.03.1993 Miejsce urodzenia: Plantation, Floryda, Stany Zjednoczone Narodowość: Stany Zjednoczone Miejsce zamieszkania: Coral Springs, Floryda, Stany Zjednoczone Wzrost: 170 cm Masa ciała: 61 kg Gra: praworęczna, oburęczny backhand Status profesjonalny od: 2010 Trener: Paul Annacone
Q. Not the start you would have wanted, but you rescued it pretty quickly there. How relieved are you to get the first one here under your belt?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, it was a little rusty start. But I didn't panic, which is good. You know, I just kind of got it back together and played some good tennis after that.
So it was good.
Q. How much of the start was maybe rust of not having too much matchplay coming into here and how much was maybe nerves coming back?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, definitely I think it was probably a combination of the two, not just playing last week and kind of a little bit of a little worried. It's the first slam of the year. I think it was a little bit of everything combined.
Then I pulled it together, so that was good. It didn't last too long, which is good.
Q. Does it feel like the same environment, the same tournament? Your last match here was like a semifinal on Rod Laver and this was a fairly empty Court 6 match.
SLOANE STEPHENS: I know, Court 6. No, it was okay. It didn't matter. On Court 6 they didn't have like any gate people. So anyone can just like walk through when they want. So it was interesting.
But, uhm, got through it well. Handled all the obstacles well, the court change and everything, so that was good.
Q. Has there been much chatter in the locker room today about the heat and wind, especially out on Court 6, the outer courts?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, no, I saw it this morning at breakfast. I was like, Can't be windy outside. I just expected it would be hot.
But, I mean, I kept looking at my phone. Mine is in Fahrenheit. I'm like 108 Fahrenheit, why is that happening? Then I kind of like Googled 45 Centigrade like just to see what's happening.
I think the heat was more in my mind than anything. When I got there it wasn't that bad for me. Obviously I played later, so it was okay.
Q. We don't have to ask Siri about the Celsius conversion?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, just ask me, because I've been looking at it all day (smiling).
Q. Talk about what it's like to be back here, what you expect of yourself for this coming season.
SLOANE STEPHENS: It's always good to be back here. I love being in Australia. I think the most disappointing part of my trip so far has been that I went to Pizza Napoli and they have changed into the Vietnamese restaurant. I think that was the most disappointing thing.
Q. Did you still eat there?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No. They were like renovating. They changed the entire inside. They're open on Monday, but I'm devastated about that.
But other than that, everything has been good. No complaints.
Paul is here, so that's good. Andrew and Christian. We've been having a good time. So it's been good so far.
Q. Talk about Paul. He's onboard now. What is it like working with him? What kind of things are you hearing?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, no, I love Paul. He's such a good guy. He's so funny. We have a good time together, all of us. He knows a lot. He has a lot up here. It's good to hear everything he has to say. Obviously he's a great coach.
Just working on things, you know, keep improving. Hopefully, you know, we'll get some good wins together, I guess you can say.
Q. Paul is a great storyteller. Does he tell any stories of Roger or Sampras?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Not really, no.
Q. It was reported that he told you to think, Okay, it's five degrees less hot than it actually is.
SLOANE STEPHENS: I'm like, No. My phone says 108. He says, No, it can't be. No, I'm pretty sure.
Q. When you were coming up the ranks, did you have any encounters with Henry Talbert?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I saw he passed away today.
Q. Do you have any thoughts what he meant to the game and the players?
SLOANE STEPHENS: He was always so nice to me. I always used to see him at UCLA. He always used to come up to me, So, how is your day going? He was so nice and friendly. I'll miss seeing him at UCLA.
Great guy. Obviously he's done a lot for the game, so he'll definitely be missed.
Q. Special man to have around?
SLOANE STEPHENS: He was really sweet.
Q. Coming back mentally, how different is it to be defending semifinalist? Does it feel like a different tournament than other tournaments that you've been in?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No. Paul says we're starting from zero, so we're just going to go with that. Not much I can do about the whole defending the points thing. Not too much stress I'm putting on myself, because in the end it's just a whole bunch of pressure that I don't need.
We're going with what Paul says. We're going with we're starting from zero, so...
Q. Does your mind work that way?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Well, it's working that way now. We'll see how that goes. I'll let you know.
Q. Were there any nerves today going back out on the court?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, definitely nervous first slam of the year. I did well here last year. Probably one of my favorite tournaments. Not having played that many matches, like I said, a lot of things go into being nervous and going out there for your first match, your first round of a slam, is always a little tricky.
Like I said, I was happy I got through it. Started out a little rusty, but pulled it together, so that was good.
Q. How does the wrist feel?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Feels good. Better than Perth on Friday, whatever that was. Just going to take care of it. Still taping, taking precautions and everything. Hopefully it holds up for me.
Q. It's not pain free, though?
SLOANE STEPHENS: It is pain free, but I feel like I have like an old person's hand. In the morning when I wake up tomorrow it might be a little stiff. Other than that it's okay.
Q. How much did you actually practice coming into the tournament?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I just took a couple days off. I went to Sydney obviously and I didn't play. I took a couple days off there and I started practicing here on Wednesday, yeah.
Q. What do you know about Tomaljanovic?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Did she win?
Q. Yes.
SLOANE STEPHENS: I've known her for a while. We both went to Evert together. I think she's the same age as me. I think it will be a good match. I know she's just coming back. She was a little sick or had an injury or something. I think it will be a good match.
I haven't seen her play in a while. I'll have to do my research. I'm excited to get back on the court.
Q. What do you remember about her from the kid days?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I just remember she hit really hard. I remember she beat me at Eddie Herr, I remember that.
Q. The big question is now that your pizza place is no longer in play, how can come up with another go to place?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I found another go to place. It's called I don't even know what it's called. It's called Cecconi's, something like that. It's so good. I found a replacement, don't you worry.
Q. What kind of cuisine are we talking?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Italian. They have great gnocchi. But it's a ragu sauce this time. You should try it. I'll get you the exact name and maybe you can try it out. But don't go when I go because you'll be like creeping on me.
MTT: Singles W(18): Kuala Lumpur 09, Memphis 10, Eastbourne 10, World Tour Finals 10, Cincinnati 12, Auckland 14, Sydney 16, Quito 17, Buenos Aires 17, Halle 17, Umag 17, Auckland 18, Eastbourne 19, Geneva 22, Auckland 23, Washington 23, Paris 23, Miami 24 Singles F(15): Metz 09, Basel 09, Johannesburg 10, Stuttgart 10, Toronto 10, Valencia 10, San Jose 11, Buenos Aires 16, Miami 17, Tokyo 17, IO Tokyo 20, Tokyo 23, Montpellier 24, Buenos Aires 24, Monte Carlo 24 Doubles W (5): Roland Garros 11, US Open 11, Monte Carlo 23, Toronto 23, World Tour Finals 23
Q. How you feeling? Pretty proud of yourself for what you did out there?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, it was a good comeback. I don't want that to happen again obviously. But I thought I did good to come back when I was down 5 3. Played some good tennis.
Yeah, so it's good.
Q. What were you telling yourself when she came out to serve for the match?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Uhm, I was just focusing on my returns. I just told myself I was going to be really aggressive on the returns and really make her play for it, because it's not easy serving for a match when it's tight. 5 4, that's never easy.
I just told myself I was going to be aggressive, play my game. Obviously I got ahold of a few returns. I played a really good game to break, then played pretty well from there.
Q. When you're telling yourself to focus on your returns, like is it just focus, hit them hard, get them in? Or is there something particular or specific that you're thinking, racquet head speed, footwork?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No, just good contact. I mean, she was serving so well. All three sets she served really well. She was acing me. She probably aced me more on the second serves than she did on the first serve. Just clean contact.
Even if I don't get it where I want to go, even down the middle was good. Just something so I would be in the point, because otherwise I was setting it up to her and she was hitting pretty hard.
Just simple things like that.
Q. When you went off at 3 0 in the third because of the rain, were you thinking, Darn, I had the momentum?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No, no. I think it was more scary because we were playing through the lightning when it was like 2 0, or the 1 0 game. It was lightning like crazy ridiculous. I was like, Donna, like hello. She left the court to go to another court. She came back, it was 3 0. She was like, We're going to stop now. I was like, The lightning is gone.
Q. You could see it from the court?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah. Like, yeah, it was intense. Like that's the worst thing, to be outside when it's lightning or to be in the middle of the ocean like by yourself.
Q. You were thinking it was going to strike your racquet?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I didn't think anything like that. Like, It's lightning. Where is there a siren? I don't know. Just kind of freaked me out. It was weird.
Q. Your matches are always pretty exciting.
SLOANE STEPHENS: So dramatic. I like to keep it interesting. Obviously I don't like to sleep because I like going home super late.
Yeah, no, I mean, I did my best. Sometimes it comes out very in a roundabout way. I get there in the end. That's good.
Q. Do you like that or would you have it be boring and routine?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I think now that I'm young, I can handle all the excitement. When I'm 25, I'd rather be, Let's just go home.
Q. You had an incredible sequence at crunch time. You hit a dropshot.
SLOANE STEPHENS: The dropshot where Paul stood up and said, No. That one (laughter)? Yeah, that was a good one. Practiced that a lot this off season, so that's good.
Q. Talk about the athleticism in that sequence.
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, it's just things I've worked on in the off season. I've obviously worked on a lot of patterns, playing my game. I think when I focus on myself I'm able to execute my shots really well.
Like I said, in that game I really focused on my game and myself, being aggressive and playing my shots. It worked, so that is good.
Q. What does Paul bring to you?
SLOANE STEPHENS: He brings funny. He's so nice. He's great to be around. When I have like anxiety or when I'm freaking out or whatever, he's very calm, so that's good.
And he's a good coach. It works out well.
Q. It seems like you had a little bit of trouble getting your engine revved in some of these sets. Is that nerves starting out? Your opponents are coming out more ready than you are?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Well, in my first match my opponent came out firing. She didn't miss a first serve. Like some things you just can't control. If your opponent is playing really well, you kind of just have to go with it eventually.
No one is going to play that well for two full sets and beat you like that. Most of the time it doesn't happen. Sometimes it does. But you just kind of got to stick with it.
I mean, today she came out, she was firing, she played really, really well. Like I said, she was acing me second serves at like 170, whatever it is.
But, uhm, both of the matches that I played, the girls have played extremely well. Kind of got to go with it, stick with it, do your best to get out of it.
Q. Another young opponent next Svitolina. What do you know about her?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I've never played her before, but it should be good, yeah. Thanks for telling me who I play, because I didn't know.
Yeah, no, should be good. She's around my age, I guess. Yeah. Yeah, looking forward to it.
Q. The fall season post US Open wasn't some of your best tennis. Was it just a long year? Were you kind of waiting for everything to end?
SLOANE STEPHENS: It was a long year, but I think towards the end I was definitely it's hard when you want to do well but you're just so tired and mentally like drained.
I was kind of fighting, like wanting to do really well and then being super tired. It was kind of like a bad combination.
In the end it was like okay. I learned a lot. If anything, I think I learned more about myself than anything. Just traveling, being with Andrew a lot. I don't know, it was crazy.
Like some things that happened were insane, but we definitely learned a lot and it was totally worth it. Never been to China; never did the Asian thing.
I think it was good. If anything, it was a really good learning experience.
Q. Did you shut it down after the season ended for a couple weeks?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah. Duh.
Q. Two weeks, three weeks? What did you do?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I took off like three no. I took off three weeks, right? Yeah, three full weeks I didn't do anything. I just like had my credit card, had my friends, just did what I wanted to do.
Q. What's more important, your credit card or your friends?
SLOANE STEPHENS: My credit card (laughter).
Q. In your gut, do you think Sloane Stephens is ready to win this tournament?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, I think so. I mean, it's going to happen in its own time. I'm not going to rush it. Obviously a lot of learning still left to be done. Just a lot of improving still to come.
So, you know, I'm just working on that, working on myself. You know, just playing and being happy.
Q. You were talking about fatigue. Have you thought about redoing your schedule this season compared to last season?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I don't think it was like my schedule. It was just I had a lot of extra things to do off the court that I obviously wasn't used to. It was a lot of back and forth, running around and doing these things and whatever.
In the end, it was all stuff that I loved to do, I wanted to do, but like it was just tiring for anyone. Just kind of wears you down after a while.
Q. Do you feel like your reception here in Australia was different than it was last year, when you're out?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Not really. I mean, I don't really leave my hotel, so I don't know.
Q. (Indiscernible.)
SLOANE STEPHENS: Oh yeah, they're so nice. Like they're so sweet.
But, no, everyone's always really nice. It's kind of the same thing. Like that court I played on was wild. They were waiting for the Australian kid, but still, they were still there.
I don't know, they're always nice. Yeah, I like it.
Q. You said you didn't know who you were playing in the next round.
SLOANE STEPHENS: Don't start. It's been a long night. It's already 10:56.
Q. You don't know what I was going to ask.
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, I do.
Q. What?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I don't know. Didn't sound good.
Q. The question is, do you know if you win the next round who you're going to play?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No, I do not. And I do not want to know.
Q. It's not often you play players younger than you.
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah.
Q. Now you're the veteran. Teach the teenager a lesson.
SLOANE STEPHENS: Exactly.
No, it's always the same. You're always playing against someone else. You have to play every opponent like it's do or die. I mean, obviously third round of a slam is important, it's crucial. You got to the third round, you've done well.
Like I said, I'll be fine. I'm excited to get back on the court. It will be good.
Q. You said you were not leaving the hotel too much. What have you been doing to relax your mind other than order room service and dream about going to Louis Vuitton?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Nothing. I literally watch TV in my room. Watch my shows.
Q. What are your shows?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Nashville, The Good Wife. Scandal. I watch Scandal every week. My little shows I watch on my computer. That's pretty much it. I don't like to do much. Pretty low key.
MTT: Singles W(18): Kuala Lumpur 09, Memphis 10, Eastbourne 10, World Tour Finals 10, Cincinnati 12, Auckland 14, Sydney 16, Quito 17, Buenos Aires 17, Halle 17, Umag 17, Auckland 18, Eastbourne 19, Geneva 22, Auckland 23, Washington 23, Paris 23, Miami 24 Singles F(15): Metz 09, Basel 09, Johannesburg 10, Stuttgart 10, Toronto 10, Valencia 10, San Jose 11, Buenos Aires 16, Miami 17, Tokyo 17, IO Tokyo 20, Tokyo 23, Montpellier 24, Buenos Aires 24, Monte Carlo 24 Doubles W (5): Roland Garros 11, US Open 11, Monte Carlo 23, Toronto 23, World Tour Finals 23
Q. Started out, had an early break. You toughed it out. Getting yourself in sticky situations but finding your way out of them?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, definitely. I was playing pretty good at the beginning, but it was definitely tricky because the wind was blowing really hard on one side and not really on the other side.
It was a little bit tough. But after, you know, I got my rhythm and found like what I wanted to do, it was easier.
Q. What were you most pleased with in your play today?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Just that I figured out which way the wind was blowing (smiling). That helped out a bit. No, I stayed consistent and I didn't like overhit or anything like that.
I stayed in the points, and I kind of just focused on the game plan that I had set, so that was good.
Q. I think it's the fifth slam in a row you made it to second week. Why? What's the key for you?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I have no idea. Everyone you guys ask me that every time. I don't know. I just play, and then I end up in the second week. Then I don't know.
Q. Is there more motivation at the big tournaments? Seems like you focus better at the big tournaments.
SLOANE STEPHENS: I'm not sure. I mean, I don't know. But my goal this year is to do better at the smaller tournaments.
Q. What's it like playing a player younger than you who is hungry and views you as a statement win.
SLOANE STEPHENS: I don't think there is much to that, because I'm still one of those players when I play someone older than me. Like it's kind of it is what it is. You got to go out and battle every time.
Most of the time when I'm playing people they are much older than me, so it's kind of I know the situation she's in, and I'm in it still plenty of times. You have to go out and play and battle.
It is what it is.
Q. Do you enjoy the pressure that comes with when you're expected to win as opposed to being the player that no one knows?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I don't think anyone is expected to win. Everyone has to go out and play. Anything can happen when you go out. Someone could roll their ankle or someone could run into the net post. Who knows? It's tennis.
You could be playing really bad; you could be playing really great. Everyone has to go out and play. You never know what can happen.
Q. Andy Murray was saying before the tournament pairing up with a legendary coach is a lot like dating a girl or something, like basically he's trying to impress that person for the first three months. Do you feel that way at all, like in terms of the pressure or anything with Paul or feeling like you need to impress him with the way you play or fight or practice or anything like that?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No. That was kind of weird. I feel like you just said I was dating Paul and that's soooo gross. Not really. Not really. I think it was coming in to working with Paul, I had like a couple of options of coaches. He's in LA, and I honestly had no idea who he was.
And like the first time we had lunch was like super intense and crazy, but I was like it was weird, because it was like an old guy. I was like, I have never seen this guy before. It was creepy.
But, no, I think it's better that I came in like open minded and like I just like I want to get better. I expressed to Paul everything that I, you know, felt and feel on the court and everything. I think he's very understanding of that.
We did our thing together. We did pretty good work over the offseason. I didn't feel like I had to impress him. I think he treated me like I was his child. It worked out good.
Q. What are those things that you told him you felt on the court?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No just like what I feel like, traveling, going week to week if I'm lonely, like just little things that kind of creep into your mind. Even on the court when you get tight in a match and you're nervous before matches or anything like that.
He definitely helps me with that, and that's a good thing.
Q. As you probably know by now, you might face Azarenka in the next round. Can you just talk about your memories from that match last year? It was controversial not from your end, but talk about your memories of that match.
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, definitely. It was a tough match. Obviously semis of a Grand Slam it was pretty intense. Looking forward to getting back on the court again.
You know, I have done well here this week. I have been playing well. Just looking forward to it.
And last year has nothing to did with this year. It's a totally different year. A lot of things have happened.
So, you know, I'm just looking forward to getting back on the court.
Q. What do you have to do against her?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Just play my game, focus on myself, and just do what I do well.
Q. Do you feel like you're mentally stronger now a year later?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, definitely. I have worked on a lot of things and I've gotten better and I've improved. I feel a lot better on the court.
Yeah, that's it.
Q. Do you think too much was made of all the medical timeout controversy and all that stuff from the match last year, or...
SLOANE STEPHENS: Who knows? That has nothing to do with this year. I don't even remember half the stuff that happened. It's okay.
Like I said, it's a new match. I mean, it will be Monday hopefully on the big court. It will be exciting.
Q. There was a lot of focus on how that match ended in the semis, but also the beginning, I guess it was your first slam. You came off a big win against Serena, so people may be paying more attention. Are those things that you also think affected that match back then?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No. I think obviously he's had more experience. She's won a Grand Slam; she's been in that position a lot of times. It's definitely a learning experience for me.
Looking back on it I don't think that affected anything too much, but I definitely now, if I was in the same position, which I am obviously not in the semis but I know what I have to do. I have to play my game and focus on myself and focus on what I do best.
Q. What have been the things that have really changed in the year's time between Sloane last year and you now? How are you different?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I'd say I don't get flustered as easily, and something I have worked on. I don't get overwhelmed and I'm kind of just learning to focus on myself, because that's the only thing I can control, like the things that I do.
That's pretty much it. Just when you focus on yourself you can control a lot more things, and everything else is just kind of just whatever.
Q. You are in LA; Victoria has a place in LA now. You share the same agent. Have you ever interacted off court? Have you become besties? What's your relationship with her?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No. I have literally never seen her in LA. So, no.
Q. So your off court relationship with her is like what?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Nonexistent.
Q. So you got through these first three rounds here when you are expected to win, and so you're going into a match where you'll be the underdog. Do you need go in that thinking, I can swing freer, I can take more chances? Is that a good place to be?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No, definitely like I said, I have to play my game and focus on myself. I'm not thinking about who thinks I'm the underdog or who is going to be talking about or tweeting about it or whatever.
I need to focus on myself and do what I can do.
Q. At tournaments, especially at the slams, do you go on media lockdown? Do you not read anything that's being written, ignore the papers and ignore Twitter?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No, yeah, I haven't been on Twitter since last Wednesday, so whenever that is. Dirk Nowitski wrote me a letter and I haven't written him back because I am on like a very tight what do you call it? Like I was on a no shopping thing. I broke that too.
What's that called when you're on like a...
Q. Ban?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No, like...
Q. Leash?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No. It's Pictionary or whatever.
No, like a I will remember it later. Yeah, I just yeah, I don't really go on it. I Instagramed a picture with no caption. I was like... (Smiling).
Q. What did Dirk Nowitski write you?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I can't tell you that, gosh. But, yeah, no. When I'm finished I feel like writing him back. It's so exciting.
MTT: Singles W(18): Kuala Lumpur 09, Memphis 10, Eastbourne 10, World Tour Finals 10, Cincinnati 12, Auckland 14, Sydney 16, Quito 17, Buenos Aires 17, Halle 17, Umag 17, Auckland 18, Eastbourne 19, Geneva 22, Auckland 23, Washington 23, Paris 23, Miami 24 Singles F(15): Metz 09, Basel 09, Johannesburg 10, Stuttgart 10, Toronto 10, Valencia 10, San Jose 11, Buenos Aires 16, Miami 17, Tokyo 17, IO Tokyo 20, Tokyo 23, Montpellier 24, Buenos Aires 24, Monte Carlo 24 Doubles W (5): Roland Garros 11, US Open 11, Monte Carlo 23, Toronto 23, World Tour Finals 23
Q. Your opponent was pretty aggressive today. Did you find it difficult just to get into a rhythm just because of that aggressiveness on the other side of the net?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No. I thought obviously she played well. I played some good points. It wasn't her aggressiveness didn't affect my rhythm.
Q. A very long first set, 50 minutes. I guess a lot was about winning the big points.
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, definitely had some really long rallies and some long games and didn't convert on some of my break points or opportunities.
It could have went either way but I didn't win some of the important points. But it is what it is now.
Q. How much of that was her and how much was you?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Definitely she played some good points. I made some mistakes. I could have played differently.
Just all that. But all in all I thought she played pretty solid.
Q. Score is not that different, but did it feel more competitive than the semi last year?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No. I think both matches last year and this year they were pretty competitive. The score really I mean, doesn't reflect like what I guess was out there.
But like I said, she played well. I played pretty solid. Of course, I would like to win more of those points in those long games, but, you know, just keep working on it and trying to do better next time.
Q. Were you able to generate enough momentum to get the crowd into it? Is that something that maybe could have helped?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No, I no.
Q. How long has it been since you've gotten in a little pegging war in a professional match?
SLOANE STEPHENS: A what match? Sorry.
Q. Pegging.
SLOANE STEPHENS: Well, I have never hit anyone in a match, so I wouldn't say pegging war. I thought she was going to move and she didn't. I don't know what was happening, but didn't think that would ever happen.
But, yeah.
Q. Could you clarify what happened last night with the raising the arms that was on the television and written about today? Were you celebrating Serena's demise or what was that about?
SLOANE STEPHENS: There was no raising of the arms. At the end of the match, Ivanovic's coaches pretty much gave each other head butts and kisses, and I thought that was the funniest thing ever because I have never seen a more excited head butt/kiss at the end of the match.
Andrew and I were like, Oh, my God we were going to do the same thing. We were so excited. Then of course after I'm on the bike, and then I was like, Were they recording that? Then of course in posts and everything and edit and of course I'm cheering against Serena, which had nothing to do with it.
So that was it. We were just having some fun.
Q. You head butted and kissed Andrew after that?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Did not kiss him. It was like an intense I don't know. I don't know (smiling). We had a lot of times on our hands obviously.
Q. Do you think it was invasive of them to be filming you, watching you in that area?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, it's a little much. Then for them to put it on TV was a little extra. It is what it is. I don't think it was that a deal.
Move on. Who cares?
Q. It's nearly 12 months since you played Victoria. Did you notice anything different in her game?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No. She's pretty steady. She's obviously No. 2 in the world. She's consistent mentally. Physically she's all in it. She's just a really tough competitor.
I'm still working on things trying to get better I thought I matched up pretty good with her today, hopefully work on a few more things and hopefully next time it will be the over way around.
Q. Does she become more dangerous the more she goes to the net? Does it make her more versatile?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No, I don't yeah, no.
Q. What do you think she exposed of your game today? What did she work to do well against you today?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I don't know. I shouldn't tell you that because you'll like write that and everyone is going to see it.
No, I guess she played consistent. She played pretty solid. Obviously that's what she does really well.
So, you know...
Q. Was your movement, court movement as happy as because you're known for that.
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, no, I thought I moved pretty well. Like I said, some little things I can work on, but nothing drastic.
Q. After last year's match finished, does this match feel a little bit more on edge or heightened?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No. I think obviously there's always like hype around matches like these because it's like last year playing the semis and whatever. But not really. It's another match.
And obviously fourth round of a Grand Slam is always tough. You just go out and do your best. Unfortunately I didn't win today, but there will be others.
Q. You like these big occasions though, don't you?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, I mean, they're fun. Who doesn't like playing on TV in front of a big crowd?
Q. Yes to Fed Cup or you haven't decided yet?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Obviously I need to take care of my body first. I have a few little things I need to work on and get together with my team and talk about.
We will see on that.
Q. But it's a possibility?
SLOANE STEPHENS: We will see on that.
Q. February in Cleveland doesn't immediately jump out at you?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I hear it's going to be like 0 degrees and snowing, so, no, it's not the first, you know, exciting thing in line.
Obviously I would love to represent my country, but if my body doesn't allow me to, we'll have to see.
Q. You made fourth round here, but your ranking moved up a couple spots. Does that change your outlook going forward?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No, not at all. Paul told me to start from zero. I have been playing really well, and unfortunate I didn't get to play Sydney to get some points there or whatever.
But definitely Doha, Dubai, it's a really long year. I'm looking forward to obviously doing better in the smaller events I didn't do well in last year.
Not too worried about the points and whatever. But it's definitely it's tough when you get, you know, into the top 20. But I keep working and try and build on what I have coming up.
Q. Is it easier to focus on small tournaments? Next slam is four months away, so you have some time to work on the little ones.
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, definitely. Obviously I'm going to do my best. I have Paul and Andrew and Christian, and we are going to do our best to do better, and as a team work to improve.
Q. What's your schedule from now to the French, I guess?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Doha, Dubai, Indian Wells, Miami, Charleston.
Q. Madrid, Rome?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, obviously all the big ones, mandatories, everything.
MTT: Singles W(18): Kuala Lumpur 09, Memphis 10, Eastbourne 10, World Tour Finals 10, Cincinnati 12, Auckland 14, Sydney 16, Quito 17, Buenos Aires 17, Halle 17, Umag 17, Auckland 18, Eastbourne 19, Geneva 22, Auckland 23, Washington 23, Paris 23, Miami 24 Singles F(15): Metz 09, Basel 09, Johannesburg 10, Stuttgart 10, Toronto 10, Valencia 10, San Jose 11, Buenos Aires 16, Miami 17, Tokyo 17, IO Tokyo 20, Tokyo 23, Montpellier 24, Buenos Aires 24, Monte Carlo 24 Doubles W (5): Roland Garros 11, US Open 11, Monte Carlo 23, Toronto 23, World Tour Finals 23
Wywiad ze Sloane Stephens po wygranym meczu I rundy US Open 2014:
Spoiler:
Q. Do we call you a New Yorker now?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah. See. And my shirt says 'Bronx' I think.
Q. Are you moving here?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No. Maybe when I get old.
Q. Sports Illustrated last week called you a Southern Californian. We claim you in South Florida. You're both places.
SLOANE STEPHENS: I'm both. But I'm a Florida girl at heart. I love Florida. I see you all the time. I grew up with you.
Q. Talk about your match and how you feel things are going right now.
SLOANE STEPHENS: I thought the match today was good. I came out, played really, really solid. Got a little shaky at the end, but I was happy I pulled through. Things are going good. I got a new coach. Things are going really well. I'm pleased the way I'm playing. Just happy to be back here competing again.
Q. What did you find in the first set to find your groove?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Yeah, I just knew I had to come out and play solid. Annika is a great player. She gets a lot of balls back. I knew I had to play my game from the beginning, from the first point. That's what I did. I stayed pretty solid with that, so I was pleased with that.
Q. Serena has a match against Taylor tomorrow. Have you talked to her about anything? Are you close?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Who is 'her'?
Q. Townsend.
SLOANE STEPHENS: Well, no. It's unfortunate they have to play each other. Two Americans playing together in the US Open is a bummer. I haven't talked to either one of them. I wish them both the best of luck.
Q. What do you think of her as a prospect?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I think Taylor is awesome. I love her. She has a great game. Really solid off the ground. I think she's going to be a great player.
Q. What is it about the first match of a slam that makes it more difficult than it should be or normally would be?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I mean, every match is a tough match at any tournament. At a slam maybe it's just because everyone's a little bit nervous, a little more anxiety. Other than that, I think it's all the same really.
Q. Have you been to the Bronx or what is the idea behind the shirt?
SLOANE STEPHENS: It's an Under Armour shirt. Every day I'm going to wear a different New York shirt just because I'm cool like that.
Q. Who are you working with now for coaching?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Thomas Hogstedt.
Q. How is that going?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Good. It's good. I like it. It's been great so far, so it's good.
“I doubt about myself, I think the doubts are good in life. The people who don’t have doubts I think only two things: arrogance or not intelligence.”- Rafa Nadal
"There are other tournaments in which I would like to win. However, in the end, trophies are just pieces of metal. The main thing that I took from tennis is love. She will remain with me forever, and I am sincerely grateful for this “ - David Ferrer
Wywiad ze Sloane Stephens po przegranym meczu II rundy US Open 2014:
Spoiler:
Q. Up 3-Love in the second set, what happened from there from your perspective?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Things just got a little shaky. Obviously she played some good games after that. Start of the third set I tried to just put it behind me and came out swinging. I did. Today she played a solid game, and it was just unfortunate. I had many opportunities, but just couldn't convert.
Q. Was the heat at all a factor?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No.
Q. A lot of young, still starting out players - even though you have been here - tend to have a really great year and then sometimes they have kind of iffy year like you had this year. Then they come back. Does that give you a good perspective, or you don't even think about that?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Everyone works at their own pace, and you just kind of -- I mean, I'm not gonna dwell on this. I'm just gonna keep improving and getting better and looking forward to the next tournaments.
Q. How is it that you sort of perceive you getting better? Because you performed so well in the slams, but what is it you have to do to get better at this point?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Just keep working hard.
Q. Well, I mean, when you say working hard, is that also working on trying to build up confidence in some way, or are you lacking in any confidence at all at this point?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No. I mean, obviously I need to play. I haven't had that great of a season. But like I said, I'm not going to dwell on it. There is always room for improvement. Everyone has their ups and downs. Everyone goes through times like this. I'm not the first person and won't be the last. Like I said, I'm looking forward to the next tournament. And that's all I can really do, just look forward.
Q. You say you're not the first and not the last; it's going to continue like that. Thomas has had his experience working with players with similar things. What advice has he told you about getting through this kind of period?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Just keep working hard. I mean, there's no magic that he can tell me or do that will just all of a sudden I'll be top 10 or whatever. That's not how it works. You have to keep working hard and do better every day. That's all. Think about this as a little speed bump and work through it and I will get better.
Q. Do you have to change what you're doing or...
SLOANE STEPHENS: Like I said, just keep working hard, get better, and improve.
Q. What are your goals for the rest of the year going into 2015?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I mean, that's -- goals like what? Like ranking goal? Like what?
Q. Anything. Ranking goals.
SLOANE STEPHENS: I mean, not really that. I'm just trying to get my game together and play solid tennis and just have fun out on the court. I think that's the most important thing right now. I'm not too worried about ranking or winning a tournament or anything like that. Just focusing on myself and mostly just enjoying myself out there.
Q. When you say getting your game together, what part of it doesn't feel right now?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I didn't mean that in any like it's not together. I just meant getting everything in order. You know, my team. Like I said, having fun on the court. I'm not the first player; I'm not the last. I just kind of work my way through it. I'm sure you guys will be here every tournament to see me get through it. So welcome and I'm glad you guys are along for the ride.
Q. Is there a part of you that would like to see this year -- kind of like wished it was over so we can start 2015?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No. There is a lot of the year left. I mean, we still have Asia. There is probably seven more tournaments after that. It's far from over. I'm really looking forward to it.
Q. Are you not having fun on the court?
SLOANE STEPHENS: No. I just said I wanted to have fun on court. Just enjoy myself out there. I think that's the most important thing.
Q. Down the line when you reflect on the match today, what do you think your emotion will be? Disappointment? Anger? Doesn't matter? What are your thoughts?
SLOANE STEPHENS: Missed opportunities. Didn't take advantage of the times I could have. That's definitely something I will look back on, but I won't dwell on it too much. There is room for improvement and I can do a lot of things better. I'm just going to take that and move on with it.
Q. What, in your mind, is different about your game, say, from the time when you made the run in Australia, say, or had more success in Grand Slams as opposed to today?
SLOANE STEPHENS: The difference in my game?
Q. Yeah. I mean, how were you playing differently then when you were making deeper runs in Grand Slams as opposed to right now?
SLOANE STEPHENS: That's something normally you guys write about because you guys critique it. I mean, there's not much really I can do. It's a game. The girl I played played a good match today. She played really solid. There is a lot of things I could say that's different, have changed, better or worse. That's just a matter of, I don't know, just things. I don't know.
“I doubt about myself, I think the doubts are good in life. The people who don’t have doubts I think only two things: arrogance or not intelligence.”- Rafa Nadal
"There are other tournaments in which I would like to win. However, in the end, trophies are just pieces of metal. The main thing that I took from tennis is love. She will remain with me forever, and I am sincerely grateful for this “ - David Ferrer
Sloane Stephens odwiedziła szpital w ramach akcji charytatywnej
Spoiler:
Sloane Stephens odwiedziła szpital dziecięcy w kalifornijskiej miejscowości Fresno. Amerykańska tenisistka obdarowała prezentami podopiecznych tej placówki medycznej.
21-letnia Sloane Stephens zgodziła się wziąć udział w akcji charytatywnej w ramach współpracy z Bright Spirit Children's Foundation. Amerykanka osobiście dostarczyła młodym pacjentom ze szpitala w Fresno 30 konsol firmy Xbox One.
- Większość naszego sprzętu do gier jest już stara - powiedziała Zara Arboleda. - Nasi wolontariusze zapytali się więc dzieci o ich potrzeby, a one zażyczyły sobie właśnie Xboxów - dodała rzeczniczka Valley Children's Hospital, gdzie leczone są dzieci z chorobami nowotworowymi.
Stephens przyleciała do Kalifornii z Florydy, gdzie przygotowywała się do rozpoczęcia nowego sezonu. 36. obecnie rakieta globu trenowała tam pod okiem Nicka Saviano, który jeszcze przed kilkoma miesiącami opiekował się Eugenie Bouchard.
“I doubt about myself, I think the doubts are good in life. The people who don’t have doubts I think only two things: arrogance or not intelligence.”- Rafa Nadal
"There are other tournaments in which I would like to win. However, in the end, trophies are just pieces of metal. The main thing that I took from tennis is love. She will remain with me forever, and I am sincerely grateful for this “ - David Ferrer
MTT bilans finałów (17-26)
W: Queen's Club 13, Monte Carlo 14, Australian Open 15, Nottingham 15, Chennai 16, Rio de Janeiro 17, Wiedeń 17, Acapulco 18, Madryt 18, Queen's Club 21, Cincinnati 21, Indian Wells 21, World Tour Finals 21, s-Hertogenbosch 22, Roland Garros 23, Astana 23, Hong Kong 24
F: Auckland 14, Miami 14, Roland Garros 14, Waszyngton 14, World Tour Finals 14, Rio de Janeiro 15, US Open 15, Estoril 16, Pekin 17, Rio de Janeiro 18, Monte Carlo 18, Rzym 18, Lyon 18, Metz 18, Hamburg 20, Madryt 21, St. Petersburg 21, Adelajda-2 22, Buenos Aires 22, Rio de Janeiro 22, Cincinnati 22, Astana 22, Rio de Janeiro 23, Bastad 23, Rio de Janeiro 24, Dubaj 24
“I doubt about myself, I think the doubts are good in life. The people who don’t have doubts I think only two things: arrogance or not intelligence.”- Rafa Nadal
"There are other tournaments in which I would like to win. However, in the end, trophies are just pieces of metal. The main thing that I took from tennis is love. She will remain with me forever, and I am sincerely grateful for this “ - David Ferrer
WTA Rising Star Sloane Stephens capped a breakthrough week at the Citi Open on Sunday, outslugging Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to win the first WTA title of her career.
Before this week, Stephens had never even reached a WTA final - in fact the World No.35 was the only player in the Top 40 never to achieve the feat. But she finally shook that tag with a semifinal win over the No.2 seed, Samantha Stosur, and then cruised past Pavlyuchenkova in her first final, 6-1, 6-2.
"I just went out there and tried to play the best I could," Stephens told reporters afterwards.
"I think I executed my game very well today - it was just a really good day for me."
A former World No.11, Stephens will now move back into the Top 30 on the new WTA Rankings.
"It's great to win this first title - I haven't even thought about my next goal yet," Stephens said. "First I'm going to celebrate, though! I'm going to the Ethiopian restaurant I've been going to all week.
"Last year I was going through a learning process. I learned a lot about myself. And there's still a lot of room to grow. Sometimes you have to go through the process. To get to this place, to get to this beautiful trophy, I had to go through a lot, but at the end of the day it was definitely worth it."
There's another reason it was a sentimental week for Stephens - during the Citi Open she helped fight poverty with the charity Soles4Souls, a social enterprise that collects and then redistributes shoes and clothing to those in need around the world. Read more about the initiative at http://www.soles4souls.org.
"I love kids - I think kids are my biggest passion in life, and just being able to help people. It's something I love to be a part of. And this week my Soles4Souls initiative, it was something I did the research on, and I just want to give people the same opportunities I had. It's really important to me."
The doubles final took place on Saturday and it was another triumph for the WTA Rising Stars, as the No.4-seeded pairing of Belinda Bencic and Kristina Mladenovic battled back from a break down in the first set and fought off two set points in the second set, one down 5-4 and another one down 6-5 in the tie-break, to get past the No.3-seeded pairing of Lara Arruabarrena and Andreja Klepac, 7-5, 7-6(7).
It was their first title together. Bencic now has two WTA doubles titles, Mladenovic a cool dozen.
“I doubt about myself, I think the doubts are good in life. The people who don’t have doubts I think only two things: arrogance or not intelligence.”- Rafa Nadal
"There are other tournaments in which I would like to win. However, in the end, trophies are just pieces of metal. The main thing that I took from tennis is love. She will remain with me forever, and I am sincerely grateful for this “ - David Ferrer
“I doubt about myself, I think the doubts are good in life. The people who don’t have doubts I think only two things: arrogance or not intelligence.”- Rafa Nadal
"There are other tournaments in which I would like to win. However, in the end, trophies are just pieces of metal. The main thing that I took from tennis is love. She will remain with me forever, and I am sincerely grateful for this “ - David Ferrer
1R: L Chirico 1/6 6/3 6/3
2R: O Govortsova 6/4 6/1
1/4: N Osaka 6/3 7/6
1/2: Y Wickmayer 6/2 6/0
F: Dominika Cibulková 6/4 4/6 7/6
“I doubt about myself, I think the doubts are good in life. The people who don’t have doubts I think only two things: arrogance or not intelligence.”- Rafa Nadal
"There are other tournaments in which I would like to win. However, in the end, trophies are just pieces of metal. The main thing that I took from tennis is love. She will remain with me forever, and I am sincerely grateful for this “ - David Ferrer
In what could be the best female singles match in Acapulco’s history American tennis player Sloane Stephens (24 WTA) claimed the crown this Abierto Mexicano de Tenis 23rd edition. In a heart-rising duel that lasted more than three hours Stephens beat Cibulkova who wished to repeat her triumph from two years ago.
It was a thrilling and closed match, full of breakpoints where Sloane took advantage of Cibulkova’s errors during third set’s tiebreaks. Marks were 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(5) in 22 year-old Stephen’s favor who is attaining her second title during this season after wining Auckland at the beginning of the year.
With a divided audience, most on Cibulkova’s side, both players worked really hard to maintain each other’s serve and both made many errors, nevertheless, Florida-born Sloane worked best under pressure during the last set and landed her third title in the WTA circuit.
The first set lasted 49 minutes and was a constant back and forth where Stephens lead; Cibulkova was fierce, reacted and battled strong to reverse the marks during the second set. Third set was a power-duel with both players pushing hard and racing from side to side just like the scoreboard seeking for the victory. With just one break per side it was sudden death that made the Slovakian player hand the crown.
On her way to the Title Stephens defeated Louisa Chirico during first round, Belorussian Olga Govortsova in third round, Naomi Osaka in quarter-finals, Belgian player Yanina Witchmayer in semi-final and Dominika Cibulkova during final round.
Meanwhile, Cibulkova suffered her first defeat in 10 matches at the Mexican Open, and was left with the desire to become bi-champion of Acapulco’s tournament and score her fifth professional title.
“I doubt about myself, I think the doubts are good in life. The people who don’t have doubts I think only two things: arrogance or not intelligence.”- Rafa Nadal
"There are other tournaments in which I would like to win. However, in the end, trophies are just pieces of metal. The main thing that I took from tennis is love. She will remain with me forever, and I am sincerely grateful for this “ - David Ferrer
“I doubt about myself, I think the doubts are good in life. The people who don’t have doubts I think only two things: arrogance or not intelligence.”- Rafa Nadal
"There are other tournaments in which I would like to win. However, in the end, trophies are just pieces of metal. The main thing that I took from tennis is love. She will remain with me forever, and I am sincerely grateful for this “ - David Ferrer
“I doubt about myself, I think the doubts are good in life. The people who don’t have doubts I think only two things: arrogance or not intelligence.”- Rafa Nadal
"There are other tournaments in which I would like to win. However, in the end, trophies are just pieces of metal. The main thing that I took from tennis is love. She will remain with me forever, and I am sincerely grateful for this “ - David Ferrer
Sloane Stephens
