NEW YORK (US) – Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens believes the current lot of young Black women excelling in the game will shape the way African-American players will involve in the game.
Stephens won over Olga Govortsova on Thursday to reach the third round at Flushing Meadows. She will play 23-times Grand Slam champion Serena Williams.
Serena Williams and her sister Venus were forerunners, with regard to being women of colour playing at Grand Slams. Stephens thinks it will keep inspiring more Black girls to try their hand at the game.
Stephens told, “I think it’s awesome. Right now … leading our sport on the women’s side is African-American women, which is amazing.”
“From Naomi (Osaka) to Coco (Gauff), Venus (Williams), Serena (Williams), Maddie (Madison Keys), myself, and then the younger girls coming up.
“I think there is an amazing opportunity to get more women of colour in this sport. Because you can see now there are so many amazing players playing … and obviously tennis is giving us so much in our lives.”
Stephens was seen wearing a face mask with “No Justice/No Peace” imprinted on it to highlight racial injustice in the United States.
Her mask echoed the sentiments of Osaka. The 2018 champion’s mask featuring the name of a Black American, each time in an attempt to raise the voice against racial injustice to a wider audience.
Frances Tiafoe, the Black American world number 82, has been impressed by the campaign.
Tiafoe said “Naomi, that’s my guy… She’s special on and off court, what she stands for. I have been a fan ever since she popped off in the Open here a couple years ago.”
“Always nice and quiet. But to see her use her platforms and go crazy, it’s special. You tip your hat off to that.”
