“My mom was my biggest cheerleader,” Sloane Stephens said in an interview. The 2017 US Open champion is poised to make her mark in New York this season, guided by her mother, Sybil Smith. While her brother Tony pursued golf and her father, Noel Smith, excelled in medicine, Sybil’s path led her to swimming. Born in 1966, Sybil’s journey began at a local swim school, where she discovered a deep-rooted passion for the sport. From there, she began her fight against racial stereotypes.

She started off her professional swimming career in college, where her backstroke, butterfly, and freestyle swimming talent earned her the tag of the “best swimmer” in Boston University’s history. However, Smith, who first swam competitively at the age of five, a time when “black people and swimming really weren’t a part of a narrative”, continued her prowess in the NCAA championships 100-yard backstroke event in her senior year.

Placed sixth in that event, her impressive resume also boasts a top-eight finish in that NCAA event, as she made history by being the first-team all-American in Division I. Interestingly, to date, she is still the only All-American female swimmer in school history. In addition to that, Sybil holds not one, not two, but seven school records, including the 100-yard butterfly. 

Her incredible talent made her win the Mildred Barnes award for outstanding woman athlete twice (1987 and 1988), becoming the first person to receive this honor twice! Following her undergraduate studies, Smith pursued a graduate degree in psychology at Harvard University. But even there, she couldn’t stay away from swimming and became the assistant coach of the University’s swim team. 

Later on in her career, the now 57-year-old participated in three events in the 1988 US Olympic trials. While her best results (21st place) came in the 50-meter freestyle contest, the other two events included the 100-meter freestyle and 100-meter backstroke. Moreover, she was inducted into BU’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993—a testament to her lasting legacy! Despite her athletic achievements, her personal life was tumultuous.

“Black people can’t swim” was a common narrative I heard growing up”, Sloane remarked, celebrating the #BlackHistoryMonth last year. Sitting in an interview with her mother, Sloane said, “Sybil Smith Ed.D, known affectionately as my fine momma, is still recognized as the most exceptional swimmer in Boston U history. She won 80 consecutive dual meets in her four-year swimming career, never losing a race.”

Following her separation from Sloane’s father, John Stephens, in 1994, Smith found love with Sheldon Farrell. Together, they welcomed their son, Shawn Farrell, who followed in his parents’ athletic footsteps, playing baseball and football at Notre Dame High School. Shawn has since pursued a career in music, signing with Empire Distribution as a recording artist and videographer. And when it comes to supporting her daughter Sloane, Smith rarely shies away!

The motherly touch: How Sloane Stephens found her tennis groove

Sloane Stephens earned her best career results (World No. 3) in 2018, shortly after completing the Wimbledon championships. However, the seven singles titlist credits her mother for propelling her to new heights in tennis. In an interview, she said,

“She guided me, pushed me, hugged me and loved me unconditionally—these are the big reasons why I believed that I would always make it in tennis. I think that it is so important for parents to support their child’s specific needs.”

The 31-year-old player further added how she learned that one secret ingredient to success from her mother. “[My mother] taught me to work hard–and that’s what so much of success is down to.”

Their bond is indeed a testament to the transformative power of parental love and support. Sloane Stephens is due to face Clara Burel in the first round of the 2024 US Open and we are eagerly waiting to see her dominate the athletic world just like how her mother once did!