“There’s nothing wrong with not being Novak”: Sloane Stephens gets candid on Tennis Insider Club podcast

Sloane Stephens is no stranger to a quippy comment, but the 2017 US Open champion dove deep in a wide-ranging interview with fellow player Caroline Garcia on the latest episode of the Tennis Insider Club podcast.

Speaking about a career often weighed down by outside expectations, Stephens, who peaked at No. 3 in the WTA rankings, was frank in comparing herself to the game’s best.

“There’s nothing wrong with not being Novak [Djokovic],” Stephens said of her career to podcast co-host Borja Duran.

“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 emerged onto the scene as a teen phenom in 2011, reaching the third round of that year’s US Open as a wild card. Two years later, she stunned Serena Williams to make her first Grand Slam semifinal at the 2013 Australian Open, and overcame a prolonged foot injury to win a maiden major title over fellow American Madison Keys.

Though she ended the 2018 season ranked inside the Top 10, Stephens has struggled for consistency in the years since, citing injuries and burnout. Now 31, the American nonetheless feels motivation to continue her career, noting the at-times unpredictable tour could yet yield her the opportunity for another big result.

“This is a good job to stay at!” Stephens joked before getting more serious. “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?

“This year, I’ve wanted to go to new places and see new things, and do new stuff. 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.”

Click here to listen to the full interview.