The 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens took the world by storm after her astounding performance that year. However, since then the expectations have stayed intact with the player for her to win another major. This, however, has not been possible. With her sudden rise, the comparison with the tennis greats like Serena Williams also came. Recently, her former coach who also worked with Roger Federer and Pete Sampras denounced that comparison.
After working with Stephens, he has picked up on her qualities and knows how good she is on the court. However, he can not hold her on the same platform as Serena Williams
Former coach of Sloane Stephens shuts down the comparison between her and Serena Williams
Paul Annacone worked with the 2017 Grand Slam champion Sloane Stephens. Though the tennis star did not clinch any major titles after 2017, her skill set and talent have been praiseworthy all along. In a podcast interview, Highly Educated, Paul stated, “She’s awesome. She’s one of the best athletes I’ve ever seen. 2017 US Open when she won, she was in a big slump.” Shedding light on her current condition he stated, “Just got married in January and she’s never going to be the most consistent tennis player because that’s just her personality.”
However, he also did not leave out the fact that she indeed has a passion for the sport. Annacone stated, “She loves the sport. She loves life, but she’s never going to be Roger, Rafa, Novak.” Also, The legacy that the 23-time Grand Slam champion has established is unbreachable as per the former coach of Sloane Stephens. He added, “She’ll never be like Serena Williams, but she’s an amazing athlete. And it won’t shock me to see her win another major. She’s so good. It’s a joke.”
However, it is not just her former coach who feels that way. Stephens herself has shut down her comparison with Serena Williams.
Stephens wishes to carve her own legacy
Every WTA player looks up to the legacy that Serena Williams has carved for herself in the tennis realm. However, Stephens disagrees with the comparison that people target her to. In an old interview, Sloane Stephens put it to rest altogether. She stated that what she is doing has nothing to do with Serena Williams. She commended her legacy, however, she also pointed out that she wants to create her own legacy.
Do you think Stephens can regain her peaking form on the court once again? Let us know your views in the comments below.
