Age is not just a number when it comes to sports. Rather it’s an indicator of a player’s reign coming to an end and a new generation taking over. However, things intensify when it comes to women sportspersons, as it also signifies their reproductive age. Sloane Stephens echoed the frustrated sentiment that comes with the territory of being an athlete as a woman.

During a recent interview with Today, Stephens opened up about her views on starting a family of her own. However, there are a lot of things that need to be considered in professional tennis. The WTA star said, ” I’m thinking of having a family one day, it’s best to be proactive, obviously in professional sports, all of the girls I play with are also like me.”

Drawing a contrast with their male counterparts. Stephens made a crude admission about how men are relatively free when it comes to starting their own family. She said, “Everyone is thinking about the same thing whereas men don’t have to think about it. They kind of can do whatever they want.” But the same things cannot be said for women, as they have to plan it all way before the time. 

In her own words, Stephens about women’s need to proactively strategize for family planning. She further added, “Women have to be more strategic, they have to plan ahead, they have to be proactive.”

Having been married to soccer star Jozy Altidore for the last two years, the two have yet to take that step. However, Stephens is already a loving step mom to nine-year-old Cameron, Altidore’s son from a previous relationship. While Stephens may be taking it step by step, she loves spending time with this littel family. “He (Altidore) loves his son so much and gives so selflessly,” Stephens told PEOPLE in 2022. “Jozy and I have known each other since we were kids, but watching him grow as a father showed me what it would be like to spend forever with him.”

However, the cycle doesn’t end here as there are players who chose to bid adieu to their sporting career, for family.

Sloane Stephens believes in having the best of both worlds

It’s not an easy journey of being a professional athlete and the same can be said about motherhood. Though both are different in every aspect however they should not be a choice but a step in life. Where women can have both, a successful sports career and a family.

The American tennis star thinks that both can be possible if strategically thought of. She added, “And I think it’s not fair to give up our career to want to have a family. You can want both and have both. It’s just that you have to be really strategic.”

There are a few examples such as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Price in athletics. She regained her crown of 100m world champion after giving birth to her son. Serena Williams played Grand Slam finals on many occasions after a difficult motherhood experience during Olympia’s birth. But there is a need to normalize having a professional career and family.