"Don't know how much longer I'm going to play": Sloane Stephens hints at potential retirement

Sloane Stephens saw her 2024 not pan out the way she would've liked it as she lost early including at the US Open which of course she previously won.

But despite only being 31, she is wrestling with her tennis future making the admission that she doesn't know how long she will play. Also she cast doubt saying that she was the oldest and felt ancient compared to Alcaraz, Tiafoe and Keys.

The American played in the Charlotte Invitational on Friday evening being defeated by Madison Keys in a re-run of their US Open final from back in the day. But it was more of a time for reflection as she lauded her good friend after seeing her get married only days before.

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A big celebration that saw many of the tennis world present, Stephens was one of those then days later was facing off against her on the court. So perhaps a storyline to watch in 2025 is how her future stacks up.

"The year was fun. I had there was a lot going on. Obviously life is life, but I think that obviously in tennis there's a lot of ups and downs," said Stephens. "So I think it's just kind of how you manage your year. And obviously for me, I realized that I'm like the oldest person here and very ancient, but I have enjoyed just traveling and being on tour and competing, and I think that's the most important part for me. So obviously, to take that into 2025 will be important for just the longevity of my career. I don't know how much longer I'm going to play, so just making sure that I enjoy it and having a good time."

"I think I was a little bit lost (after the 2017 US Open title) because I was like, 'what am I going to do now?' and I was like, 'I don't know what there is to do', but obviously, after the US Open, I was injured, but I kept playing. I just was like playing, playing, playing."

"Obviously, I had won (the US Open) from no ranking to inside the top 15, and then, not to offend them 1000s, the mandatories, which I had entered on my protected (ranking), I couldn't pull out of. So I'm going to have a go because otherwise I'll get fined and all of these things. It was an up and down journey. Like, I definitely would have stopped playing after the US Open."