Sloane Stephens Announces Split from Jozy Altidore
As Sloane Stephens steps into a new chapter off the court, the former US Open champion grapples with personal change just as the hard-court season heats up, demanding focus amid the baseline grind.
In the crisp February air of 2026, where training courts hum with early drills and the Middle East tournaments loom like a first-round draw, Sloane Stephens confronts a shift no player plans for. The former US Open tennis champion shares news of ending her four-year marriage to former U.S. men’s national soccer player Jozy Altidore, her words landing with the precision of a well-placed drop shot. At 32, with Doha and Dubai’s hard courts calling, this transition tests the mental fortitude that carried her to majors.
Stephens, who won the 2017 US Open, posted a story on Instagram announcing the split Saturday. Her message frames the decision as one made with peace, seeking space amid the public eye.
“Jozy and I have decided to end our marriage,” the post read. “With peace, I am navigating this transition with mutual respect and kindly ask for privacy during this time. Thank you for your love, understanding and continued support.”
Personal layers reshape court focus
Stephens' path since that 2017 triumph has woven triumphs and setbacks across surfaces, from the 2018 French Open final on clay to the hard-court swings that demand quick adaptations. Now, this split adds emotional weight, seeping into recovery sessions and match visualizations. Altidore, 36, scored 42 goals over 115 appearances for the U.S. team from 2007 to 2019, his career in MLS and Europe echoing her global rhythm—yet their shared life now diverges.
As she sharpens her inside-out forehand for the upcoming Gulf events, the psychological pivot sharpens her edge. Crowds in Doha sense undercurrents, their cheers building tension before serves, while she varies slice backhands to disrupt aggressive returns. This recalibration, handled with quiet resolve, positions her to channel personal flux into on-court poise.
Hard courts test tactical resilience
Hard courts reward heavy topspin, where Stephens’ forehands arc high, forcing errors in long rallies that mirror life’s extended points. Her game, built on fluid one–two patterns—serve into crosscourt returns—thrives under pressure, much like her 2017 run at Flushing Meadows. With rankings on the line, a deep run here could vault her standings, turning introspection into fuel for down-the-line passes.
February’s chill brings solitary drills, the bounce off fresh hard courts a stark reminder of momentum’s fragility. Stephens leans on coaches for net approaches, her backhand underspin skidding low to break opponents’ rhythm. As wind gusts challenge heavy balls in Dubai, her focus remains steady, blending emotional armor with tactical shifts.
Renewal drives season’s early swing
Ahead lies Indian Wells, where desert sun intensifies crosscourt exchanges and inside-in winners seal points. Stephens’ plea for privacy cuts through digital noise, allowing mental reps for those tiebreak moments that define runs. At 32, her resilience—forged in finals fire—promises not just survival but a redefined pursuit, from Miami’s humidity to spring majors.
The tennis circuit watches, knowing stars’ inner games often spark breakthroughs. With Altidore’s legacy fading into parallel paths, she eyes baseline dominance, her story evolving from closure to conquest. Read more: https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/47999191/sloane-stephens-jozy-altidore-ending-marriage-4-years