Sloane Stephens Responds To Online Critics Who Think She Should Retire

Sloane Stephens have read all the comments calling on her to retire — but don’t expect her to listen.

In an exclusive interview with Us Weeklythe tennis star, 31, explained how she has learned to let criticism on social media set her back more than 15 years into her professional career.

“People have no filter,” said Stephens, who spoke to Us through her partnership with Daily Harvest. “They also don’t realize that you are another human being. They would never say it to your face. It’s actually prohibiting people from putting their lives out there because they don’t want to be judged.”

Stephens added, “It’s about what the athlete can handle, right? ‘Should you retire?’ I’m like, ‘If these people keep paying me, I’m not going.’ I think people don’t realize that if someone paid you a lot of money, you wouldn’t quit your job. You wouldn’t leave your job.”

Eventually, Stephens explained that she was in her “phase of I don’t give as—.”

“As an athlete, you generally have such a tough skin,” said the 2017 US Open champion. “To the bettors and the people who are literally like, ‘You should have won, you f—ing bitch.’ So when people comment on my post like, ‘Why are you posting this?’ It’s my page. Get drink— away.”

While Stephens has well-worn armor, he acknowledged that “younger athletes are untested.”

“I’m like, ‘Oh, whatever,'” she says of her social media mindset. “If I post and you don’t like it, follow someone else. Unfollow me. Block me. Do whatever you need to do. If you feel secure in your world and in your life and in your tennis or whatever it is, you don’t react as much to things other people say.”

As for her physical health, Stephens – who still spend 40 weeks a year on the road — seduces how her partnership with Daily Harvest it became, ironically, quite organic.

“During COVID is when I first started using Daily Harvest because we were all trying to figure out how to get healthy options,” she explained. “I couldn’t go out and I didn’t cook. Throughout my career, I’ve always had little stretches and periods where I’ve been somewhere for a month. I’ve always loved using meal prep options because it’s easier for me.”

Now, Daily Harvest has unveiled a series of protein rich smoothies in Vanilla Bean, Dark Chocolate and Mixed Berry flavours.

Daily Harvest has also collaborated with Doc & Glo, Stephens’ body care company, to highlight both brands’ commitment to supporting active lifestyles and overall well-being.

“When they came out with a smoothie, I knew I had written all over it,” she said. “It’s so easy, so simple. It just fits. It’s real.”