Miami Open: Sloane Stephens Heaps Praise on the ‘Mecca of Tennis’ and How It Produced Champions Over the Decades

Few locations are as important as Florida when it comes to tennis. Aptly named the “Mecca of Tennis” by Sloane Stephens, it highlights the location because of its year-round sunshine, first-rate facilities, and extensive history in the game. Stephens believes Florida is the place to go if one is even remotely interested in tennis.

It is a well-known fact that both the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena Williams, who have rewritten the history of tennis, come from Florida. Stephens’ acknowledgment of the prominence of tennis in Florida has added more to the esteemed place, and continues the legacy!

Sloane Stephens’ appreciation for the “Mecca of Tennis”

Florida is home to many top-notch tennis facilities that offer players of all skill levels access to excellent training grounds, not to mention the several prestigious tournaments it hosts. The Delray Beach Open and Miami Open are two of those providing aspiring talents an opportunity to make a mark in tennis. Referring to this, Stephens said in a presser, “There are so many academies, so many places to play, so many tournaments, so many opportunities. I think Florida is just kind of like the Mecca of tennis, where everyone knows to go.”

Alluding to the greatest players, like Serena Williams, and many others who still live in Florida, she further said, “Yeah, it’s always been, like, a hub for tennis and a very strong place. I think a lot of pros still live here.”

Stephens made statements about this unique place and called it a suitable place for young players who are learning tennis. “Yeah, I think everyone, if you are, like, a junior tennis player, you are a developing player. I think everyone comes through Florida. Like, if you are serious about your tennis, you go to Florida. You make your way to Florida someway somehow,” Stephens said during a press conference. However, she did also point out one flaw of the place related to its weather.

Read more: Miami Open 2024: Sloane Stephens vs Angelique Kerber Preview; Head-to-Head, and Prediction

Stephens does not like the 3 p.m. rain in Florida

Florida’s success in tennis is attributed to a number of factors, all of which contribute to the state’s image as a tennis mecca. Its perfect temperature, which permits outdoor play almost every day of the year, is one of its primary attractions. Although it’s routinely, Sloane Stephens could do without the rain, “It’s a great training environment. The weather is pretty good every day except for at 3:00 p.m. when it storms—you know, the normal. Yeah, it’s, like, a good environment, a good training base. It’s always pretty consistent, I’d say.”

In Florida, Stephens sees more than a location—it embodies tennis, fulfills dreams, creates champions, and exudes a sporting passion throughout life.

Also read: 3 Years After His Death, Sloane Stephens Turns to Late Grandfather’s Memory With an Emotional Message Cherishing His Life