Sloane Stephens might be a powerhouse on the tennis court, but off it, she’s all heart—especially when it comes to her family. The former US Open champion has always worn her love for her grandparents on her sleeve, and this off-season, she’s once again melting hearts with her sweet tribute to her grandmother. Taking a moment to pause amidst the buzz of her off-season, Stephens has been reminiscing about the cherished memories she’s shared with the woman whom she calls one of her biggest inspirations.

The American tennis sensation took to her Instagram account to share a video that features a framed picture of her grandmother, Gloria Smith. In the picture, Gloria can be seen holding a young kid in her arms, probably Stephens, who is smiling vibrantly for the picture. But what further caught the attention, was the remarkable tribute that the star player paid to her grandmother. 

Captioning the picture, Stephens wrote, “This picture frame of my grandma is so much more than decor—it’s a daily reminder of her love and the values she passed down to me.” Remember, Stephens shared a close bond with her grandparents, Doctor Noel Smith and Gloria Smith, whom she unfortunately lost in 2021. But her love for them continued as can be evidenced in her words further.

“Having sentimental pieces like this in my home keeps me grounded and connected to what truly matters,” Stephens added reflecting how important her grandparents were to her. This, however, is not the first time that the star player has reflected upon her love for her grandparents. For the unversed, she has named her venture Doc & Glo which she started in August this year, after her grandparents and has often admired their contribution to society.

Taking to her Instagram account this year, Sloane Stephens highlighted how her grandfather, an obstetrician by profession, delivered “more than 20,000 babies”. She further reflected on the community work done by him and her grandmother as the members of the NAACP and the President of the National Council of Negro Women, respectively. Sharing admiration for them Stephens wrote, “On this first day of Black History Month, I wanted to share more about my incredible grandparents, Doc and Glo,” Stephens wrote. “I am who I am because of them and I strive to carry on their legacy.” 

Meanwhile, Stephens is equally focused on her professional career. As she gears up for the next season, she is just willing to enjoy the best moments on the courts. 

When Sloane Stephens revealed her goal for next year

Sloane Stephens had quite a fascinating career, filled with highs and lows. Now, as she gears up for the next year, it seems that the star player does not wish to put herself under much pressure and just wishes to enjoy her time on the court. Detailing this herself during an exhibition tournament at the Charlotte Invitational, Stephens made some honest admissions about her plans. 

Stephens engaged in an interaction with reporters alongside Carlos Alcaraz, Frances Tiafoe, and Madison Keys ahead of the match. Speaking in the interaction, she said, “The year was fun. I had there was a lot going on. Obviously life is life, but I think that obviously in tennis there’s a lot of ups and downs. And obviously for me, I realized that I’m like the oldest person here and very ancient, but I have enjoyed just traveling and being on tour and competing, and I think that’s the most important part for me.” Continuing further, she also talked about her career in general and revealed that she only desires to enjoy her moments on the tour. 

“So obviously, to take that into 2025 will be important for just the longevity of my career. I don’t know how much longer I’m going to play, so just making sure that I enjoy it and having a good time,” she said. Now, as she prepares for the next season, it would be interesting to see how these adorable off-court memories will help Stephens shine on the courts.