Sloane Stephens has a reasonably blunt message for these calling on her to retire as the previous world No. 3 says there is no such thing as a want for that since she continues to be incomes fairly good cash.
After turning into a Grand Slam champion eight years in the past and in addition profitable her first WTA 1000 title on the 2018 Miami Open, the American began to slowly decline from the 2019 season.
Whereas she has managed to win two WTA titles since and stay an everyday participant within the main-level occasions, the previous few seasons have not been the best and the American posted a shedding 19-22 document final yr after shedding her final six matches in 2024.
Additionally, Stephens was crushed by Ann Li in her 2025 season-opener in Auckland.
And just about after each loss, the present world No. 74 will get informed by critics and indignant bettors that it is time for her to stroll away from professional tennis.
Stephens hits again: You do not stop a job that pays you nicely
“Folks don’t have any filter. In addition they don’t understand that you simply’re one other human being. They’d by no means say it to your face. It truly prohibits folks from placing their lives on the market as a result of they don’t wish to be judged,” the 31-year-old informed
“It’s all about what the athlete can deal with, proper? ‘You need to retire?’ I’m like, ‘If these persons are nonetheless paying me, I’m not going.’ I feel folks don’t understand, if somebody was paying you some huge cash, you wouldn’t stop your job. You wouldn’t depart your job.”
Reality be informed, Stephens did earn some good cash final yr, amassing $890k regardless of not having an amazing season.
In the case of her profession earnings, she has netted $18.8 million in match prize cash alone.
In order lengthy the American is ready to play the WTA-level tournaments, she in all probability will not significantly take into consideration retiring.