Tennis

Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, recently shared her candid thoughts on her career and the pressures of being a top-ranked tennis player in an interview with fellow player Caroline Garcia on the Tennis Insider Club podcast.Stephens, who has been open about the challenges she has faced throughout her career, spoke about the unrealistic expectations that are often placed on athletes. She emphasized that not everyone can be the best in the world and that it's important to recognize and appreciate one's own strengths and limitations."There's nothing wrong with not being Novak [Djokovic]," Stephens said. "Everyone can't be No. 1 in the world. I think Iga [Swiatek]'s great, she's No. 1 in the world, but I do not want that job. There are certain people who thrive in that, but that's what makes our sport so unique."Stephens, who emerged as a teen phenom in 2011, has had a successful career, reaching the third round of the US Open as a wild card that year and stunning Serena Williams to make her first Grand Slam semifinal at the 2013 Australian Open. She overcame a prolonged foot injury to win her maiden major title over fellow American Madison Keys.However, Stephens has struggled for consistency in recent years, citing injuries and burnout. Despite these challenges, the 31-year-old American remains motivated to continue her career, noting that the unpredictable nature of the tour could still yield her another big result."This is a good job to stay at!" Stephens joked. "Obviously, it is a lot of travel and it's very hectic and it's hard, and it's stressful. There's a lot of adversity happening every single week that nobody ever sees. But what job is going to pay you to put on your tennis dress and play a match on live TV?"Stephens emphasized the importance of finding ways to make the demanding schedule of a professional tennis player more enjoyable. She shared that she has been making an effort to explore new places and experiences, which has helped her stay motivated and excited about her career."This year, I've wanted to go to new places and see new things, and do new stuff," Stephens said. "So, this year, I said, 'I want to make it Asia so I can see the Great Wall.' And I feel like that's helped me more, to have something to look forward to. If you were at a regular desk job for 12 years, you would think it's terrible. For tennis players, yes, we're so lucky and fortunate to be able to travel and do all these amazing things, but it's literally the same tournaments, the same cities. You've got to make it fun and keep it exciting."

Andrey Rublev, the current world No. 6 tennis star, recently shared a heartfelt message to his 12-year-old self in an ATP video. Reflecting on his journey and the challenges he has faced, Rublev emphasized the importance of finding happiness within oneself, regardless of external achievements."When you are Top 400 in the world, you'll be happier than when you're Top 10 in the world, having everything," Rublev said, addressing his younger self. "What I've learned is success isn't going to make you happy, only you can do that for yourself."Rublev's message highlights the importance of self-awareness and listening to one's inner voice. He advises his younger self to trust his instincts and make choices that align with his values. "You can't avoid difficult moments, but if you're happy with yourself, the difficult moments won't affect you as much," he said.Rublev's words resonate with his own experiences this season. Despite winning a Masters 1000 title in Madrid and reaching the final in Montreal, he has also faced setbacks and emotional outbursts. In March, he was defaulted in the semifinals in Dubai after an outburst at a line umpire.In August, Rublev admitted to struggling with depression and burnout, which reached a boiling point at Roland Garros, where he had another self-destructive episode. "Mentally I was out of order," he said. "I guess it was already a long moment of everything [building up] and I started to burn out."Rublev's message to his younger self serves as a reminder that happiness and fulfillment come from within. While external success can be motivating, it is ultimately up to each individual to find joy and contentment in their own lives.

Caroline Garcia, the former world No. 4, has announced her decision to sit out the remainder of the 2024 season to prioritize her mental health. In a lengthy message posted on social media, Garcia revealed that she has been struggling with a "toxic mindset" that has hindered her results and led to prolonged struggles with anxiety and panic attacks.Despite ending 2022 back at her career-high ranking thanks to a winning week at the WTA Finals, Garcia has struggled through the subsequent 24 months, falling outside the Top 20 and compiling a disappointing 17-16 record in 2024."My results didn't match the goals I set or the expectations I had," Garcia wrote. "The work, the sacrifices, the pain—it all felt the same as before, but the results weren't there, and I couldn't compete at the level I know I'm capable of. That's been really hard to accept."Garcia also revealed that she has been dealing with a lingering shoulder injury, which has further contributed to her struggles."For too long, I've let tennis consume me, ride the emotional highs and lows of every result," Garcia continued. "But I'm more than that. I'm a woman with values, talents, passions, flaws, and strengths. I'm not perfect, but I'm doing my best."Garcia's decision to sit out the remainder of the season was supported by her fiancé and podcast co-host, Borja Duran. She plans to return to action in January, in time for the Australian summer hard-court swing."When I eventually leave tennis behind, I want to look back and say I enjoyed the journey, I'm proud of myself, and I gave it my all," Garcia wrote. "And in the end, I won some pretty cool things along the way."

Coco Gauff, the 19-year-old tennis prodigy, has emerged as a beacon of perspective and introspection at the US Open. After a challenging summer, Gauff shifted her focus from external expectations to her own inner growth."I have to do this and do that, but I don't have to prove anything to anyone except myself," Gauff said. "I have many more years coming back here, and I'm not going to win every year."Gauff's perspective extends beyond the tennis court. She wears Olympic jewelry as a "flex," uses social media to gauge public opinion on her outfits, and blocks online harassers without hesitation. However, she remains open to constructive criticism and finds solace in the wisdom of others."A couple days ago somebody commented on my TikTok and the comment said…'You've won literally and figuratively. Why stress yourself out over a victory lap?'" Gauff recalled. "I was, like, that's actually a good perspective. No one can take that from me so why stress myself over something that I already have."Gauff's historical awareness is also evident in her admiration for Kamala Harris's presidential nomination. "It is really incredible to see how far this country has come and people of color, Black people in general," she said.Gauff's unique personality shines through in her interviews. She discusses her daily Bible readings, her two journals, and her love of tennis history. "It's peak tennis," she said of the rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. "I don't know. It's crazy."Gauff's ability to articulate her thoughts and emotions makes her a compelling figure both on and off the court. She is a role model for young athletes and a reminder that success is not just about winning, but also about personal growth and perspective.

Aryna Sabalenka's 2024 season has been a rollercoaster of emotions and challenges. After defending her Australian Open title, she faced personal tragedy and a shoulder injury that sidelined her from Wimbledon. However, the Belarusian star has emerged from these setbacks stronger than ever, finding solace in her close-knit team and the support of fellow players.Sabalenka's journey began with a triumphant Australian Open victory, fulfilling a dream she shared with her late father. However, just days before the Miami Open, her ex-partner took his own life. Despite the emotional turmoil, she drew strength from her team and played two matches before withdrawing.The injury to her shoulder forced Sabalenka to take a break from tennis, which she used to recharge and reflect on the challenges she had faced. She realized the importance of surrounding herself with people she could trust and talk to, and she leaned on her team for support.Upon her return to action, Sabalenka faced fears of re-injury. However, she gradually regained her confidence and stormed to the title in Cincinnati, defeating world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the process. She is now back in top form and ready to make a strong run at the US Open.Off the court, Sabalenka has found joy in exploring New York City, enjoying fine dining, and creating Tik Tok videos with her team. She has also developed close friendships with fellow players Paula Badosa and Ons Jabeur, who provide her with support and laughter.Sabalenka's journey has been marked by resilience, determination, and the power of human connection. She has emerged from adversity as a stronger person and is ready to face the challenges ahead with the support of her team and the love of her fans.

Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion and former WTA No. 1, has had a tumultuous year on the tennis circuit. After taking a break to give birth to her daughter, Osaka returned to the sport in January with the goal of regaining her peak form for the US Open.Despite a first-round loss at the Australian Open, Osaka remained optimistic, setting her sights on the US Open. However, her performance has been inconsistent throughout the year, with flashes of brilliance on clay but struggles on hard courts.Osaka's clay-court swing was particularly impressive, earning her the nickname "Clayomi." She reached the fourth round of the Rome Masters and had a match point against Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros. However, her form dipped on grass and hard courts, leading to early exits at Wimbledon and the Olympics.Despite the setbacks, Osaka has shown a remarkable resilience and determination. She has embraced the challenges and pressures of the sport, and has remained steadfast in her pursuit of success.Analysts believe that Osaka has a good chance of making a deep run at the US Open, but her unseeded status could lead to a tough draw. However, her experience and championship pedigree make her a formidable opponent.Osaka's journey this year has been a testament to her mental fortitude and unwavering belief in her abilities. She has faced adversity with grace and determination, and remains a force to be reckoned with in the world of tennis.

Andrey Rublev, the world's sixth-ranked tennis player, has regained his consistent form at the Cincinnati Open, reaching the quarterfinals with two impressive straight-sets victories. After a disappointing loss in the Montreal final, Rublev has bounced back with confidence-boosting wins over Zhang Zhizhen and Brandon Nakashima.Rublev's resurgence comes after a challenging period marked by depression and burnout. However, a "long conversation" with compatriot Marat Safin has helped him turn his mental state around. Rublev credits Safin with providing him with the tools to stay calm in crucial moments and trust his abilities.The Russian's success in Montreal and Cincinnati is a testament to his hard work and determination. Despite his dislike for the fast hard-court conditions, Rublev has used his powerful serve and forehand to dominate his opponents. He has not dropped a set in his two matches so far.Rublev's next challenge will be a rematch against world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the Cincinnati quarterfinals. Sinner holds a 5-3 advantage over Rublev in their head-to-head record, but Rublev will be confident after defeating the Italian in the Montreal quarterfinals.If Rublev can overcome Sinner, he will have a chance to reach his second ATP Masters 1000 final of the year. His victory in Madrid earlier this season proved that he is capable of producing his best tennis on the big stage.Rublev's resurgence is a welcome sight for tennis fans. The Russian is one of the most exciting players to watch on tour, and his return to form adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming US Open.

Andrey Rublev's recent resurgence on the ATP Tour has been a welcome sight for tennis fans, but the Russian has revealed that his on-court struggles have been a manifestation of deep-seated mental health issues.After claiming his second Top 5 win of the year over Jannik Sinner at the Omnium Banque National, Rublev opened up about his battles with burnout and depression, which have plagued him for years."Mentally I was out of order," Rublev admitted. "I guess it was already a long moment of everything (building up) and I started to burn out, because I was struggling for many years with depression, with many things outside of the court."Rublev's on-court behavior has often been erratic, with racquet-smashing meltdowns and a default in Dubai earlier this year. However, he believes that his struggles have reached a boiling point this season."It started to explode more and more on the court, because in life I was able to stay calm but inside the court I was burning everything."After skipping the Olympics to focus on his mental health, Rublev sought guidance from compatriot Marat Safin, who also struggled with emotional outbursts during his career."I was struggling, now (in the) last months I feel really good, and straightaway the tennis is better," Rublev explained.Rublev's improved mental state has translated into positive results on the court. He has won eight of his last 10 matches, including a victory over world No. 1 Sinner and a comfortable win over Matteo Arnaldi to reach the final in Montreal.The Russian is now the first player to reach more than one ATP Masters 1000 final this year and will face either Sebastian Korda or Alexei Popyrin in the championship match.Rublev's journey to recovery is a reminder that mental health issues can affect anyone, even elite athletes. His openness about his struggles is a testament to his courage and determination to overcome adversity.

Naomi Osaka, the former world No. 1 tennis player, has opened up about her struggles with self-worth and the emotional toll of her 2018 US Open victory. In an interview on the Tennis Insider Club podcast, Osaka revealed that she was deeply affected by the negative fan reaction to her win, which was overshadowed by controversy surrounding Serena Williams' code violations."I went on social media the night after I won," Osaka said. "I was reading a lot of people saying that I didn't deserve to win. I remember I started crying a lot."Osaka's victory was marred by multiple code violations against Williams, which led to a hostile atmosphere at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The crowd booed Osaka during the trophy ceremony, causing her to hide her face behind her visor."Honestly, I never really processed it well," Osaka said. "I just ignored it and kept moving on with my life."Osaka believes that her inability to process the emotional turmoil of her US Open victory contributed to her breakdown at the 2021 Roland Garros, where she withdrew from the tournament after refusing to participate in post-match press conferences."I didn't see the worth I had as a human outside of tennis," Osaka said. "I would lose a match and feel like my life is meaningless, like the only value I had was winning."Osaka's time away from tennis has helped her to develop a healthier perspective on her career and her life outside of the sport. She is now a mother to daughter Shai and believes that her break from tennis was crucial for her mental health."I needed to learn how to live in the real world," Osaka said. "The athlete's life span is so short, it's not like I'm going to be playing tennis forever."Osaka's journey for self-worth is a reminder of the importance of mental health in sports. It is a story of resilience, growth, and the realization that there is more to life than winning and losing.