Stephens returns to Charleston as reporter
The American is the defending champion, but is out with a foot in
One year after winning Charleston for her fourth career title, Sloane Stephens has returned to the center of all the action at the Volvo Open. Except that the former No. 11 is not playing tennis. Instead, she's continuing her role as a reporter for the Tennis Channel.
The 24-year-old has been recovering from foot surgery and is not expected to return to the tour—as a competitor—until the late summer, but she’s investing her time and energy into other opportunities.
At Indian Wells last month, the Sloane Stephens Foundation hosted a kids day for tennis. She participated with an unusual boot-holding contraption on her injured leg.
She has since lost the boot, but not her charisma. Stephens has been a solid addition to the Tennis Channel team alongside regulars Tracy Austin, Paul Annacone, Steve Weissman, and many more.
Stephens already shown that she can fit in comfortably with the studio... and the furniture.
How about versatility? She spoke with WTA legend Billie Jean King about modern technology. She bantered with Dustin Brown about his long hair, and Bethanie Mattek-Sands about her edge. She even spent time in the kitchen making pizzas with Wolfgang Puck.
The Volvo Open will keep Stephens busy conducting interviews. For many athletes, especially if they're still in the midst of their careers, it might not be so easy to ask for insight from fellow competitors like Shelby Rogers and Madison Keys, but Stephens has a flair for fun professionalism.
She seems to make time for everyone, and she was happy to flip her role for Charleston’s local media.
The talented young American is seizing valuable experience for life after playing on the WTA.