24-year-old Sloane Stephens won the first major title of her career in grand style after defeating Madison Keys 6-3, 6-0 in the final of the 2017 U.S. Open on Saturday.
The American tennis player, who was ranked as low as 957th six weeks ago, having only returned from 11 months out with a foot injury at Wimbledon, ranked 83rd and beat 15th seed Keys 6-3, 6-0 in the final.
Sloane rose to prominence upon reaching the semifinals of the 2013 Australian Open, after notably defeating Serena Williams. Since then, she has reached a career-high singles ranking of 11 in the world. Her first WTA title was at the 2015 Citi Open.
In her words:
“It’s incredible. If someone told me after surgery that I’d win the US Open, I’d say it’s impossible. It’s been an incredible journey. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
BEST. DAY. EVER. ??? pic.twitter.com/R8ARc09Qwb
— Sloane Stephens (@SloaneStephens) September 10, 2017
“Madison is one of my best friends on tour. I wouldn’t have wanted to play anyone else. I told her that I wished it could have been a draw.”
Keys, who was playing with her right thigh heavily strapped, said, “Sloane is truly one of my favourite people and to play against her was special. I obviously didn’t play my best tennis and Sloane was very supportive.
“If I’m going to lose to anyone today, I’m glad it’s to her.”
Sloane is the first American woman from outside the Williams family to win a major singles title since Jennifer Capriati at the 2002 Australian Open, and she is entitled to £2.84m in prize money.