Sloane Stephens’ classy reaction to first Grand Slam match win in 2 years

Women’s tennis star Sloane Stephens notched a huge victory to start the U.S. Open that puts her back in the win column. Stephens won her match in the U.S. Open, 6-4, 6-1, against Clara Tauson to advance to the next round of the U.S. Open. The win was Stephens’ first in two years, as she missed last year’s U.S. Open due to a foot injury.

Sloane Stephens after getting her 1st Grand Slam match win in 2 years at U.S. Open

“The Sloane Stephens Foundation is up there guys. They came all the way from Compton. Some of their first time out of the state, first time on a plane, just to be able to see me play. I think… pic.twitter.com/989pFlrJse

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 31, 2026

Following the match, Stephens was gracious in her reaction to the huge victory, giving a shout-out to her foundation and speaking about having a bigger reason for playing the game she loves

“The Sloane Stephens Foundation is up there guys. They came all the way from Compton. Some of their first time out of the state, first time on a plane, just to be able to see me play. I think I’m playing for so much more now. It gives me motivation. It’s another reason to get out here.

She added, “I think I was put here to be a good tennis player, but I don’t think that was the reason I was put on Earth. I just think I have a serving heart. I’m so glad I get to do it through tennis. It’s been my vehicle to do so many incredible things. I love helping people.”

In comments obtained by Andscape prior to U.S. Open, Stephens talked about returning to the court following her injury.

“It takes a while to find your groove again and find the tennis you want to play and get back to where I wanted to be,” Stephens said. “And to finally be playing some really good tennis is always a good thing. But also, to be doing it in the U.S., in front of home crowds — it’s incredibly special.”

She also spoke about returning to the U.S. Open in the same situation that she was in in 2017 when she won the women’s title, as she enters this year’s U.S. Open unseeded once again.

“It’s really fulfilling and exciting to be able to go back to a place where I’ve played some of my best tennis,” she said. “As an American playing the US Open swing [matches in the United States leading up to the Open], when you’re having good results, there’s … no better feeling [and] no better crowds to play in front of.”

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