Florida native Sloane Stephens, a determined and accomplished pro-tennis player, continues to show the world that she’s someone to take notice of. Competing in the first round of the Wimbledon tennis tournament, the 28-year-old athlete came out victorious over two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, a notable Czech player known for holding 28 tournament titles.
“Obviously, seeing the first-round draw, I was like, ‘oh boy, it’s going to be a difficult task. But knowing I would play on a big court, feeling good [was inspirational]. Petra’s an amazing player, but playing in front of fans again was really incredible,” she told ESPN about the exciting win.
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Admitting that she wasn’t playing at her best while also acknowledging Stephen’s well-deserved win, Kvitova said to the Guardian, “It was a tough first round, for sure. I felt that I do have the ability to win the match. I just didn’t find the best for me today. It was really tough. I just didn’t play the best. I think that she played really solid.”
“She was just better today, she added.
Stephens now moves on to Wimbledon’s second round. According to ESPN, she will compete against Great Britain’s Heather Watson or America’s Kristie Ahn.
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Monday’s tournament came out to 6-3 and 6-4, in favor of Stephens. And though many were shocked at her win over Kvitova, Stephens has been making her climb to the top for some time now.
In 2017, she won the year’s U.S. Open and snagged her first Grand Slam singles title at age 24. Speaking to Sports Illustrated about her growing success at the time, Stephens said, “I think when anyone has a Grand Slam champion in front of their name, it changes things a little bit. So I don’t know if I have arrived or already arrived, been arrived, I don’t know. But I do know I’m a U.S. Open champion. So whatever that means to you.”
The following year, Stephens won the Miami Open, solidifying her status as a multi-earning tennis champion.
