After winning the Miami Open title last week, Sloane Stephens decided to skip the tournament in Charleston.
US Open champion and one of the leading US players shocked everyone today, once she announced that she would be forced to withdraw from Volvo Car Open.
According to her statement, she does not have enough energy to compete at the highest level. “My run to the title in Miami left me completely exhausted/fatigued both physically and mentally. I don’t feel prepared to play my best and therefore it’s in my best interest to get some rest.”
Stephens then expressed her hope that she will be able to play in Charleston in future and wished a lot of luck to all other participants.
“Charleston is truly one of the best events on tour,” Stephens said in a statement. “I sincerely look forward to playing [there] again many more times. I wish the best of luck to all the girls.”
This is her second consecutive skipping because she also didn’t participate in the previous campaign because of an injury. The title she won in 2016, couldn’t be defended, and Russian player Daria Kasatkina emerged as the new champion here.
Just to remind you, Sloane Stephens moved up in the WTA Rankings this Monday. After receiving 1000 points for the title in Miami Masters, the 25-year-old surpassed Petra Kvitova, Angelique Kerber, and Daria Kasatkina, and became world no.9.
For the first time in her career, the American found herself among top 10 players, and we are going to see whether she can stay here for a longer period of time. Number one is still Simona Halep from Romania, while Caroline Wozniacki from Denmark occupies the second position.
