Stephens on "inconsistent" hard-court season, social media reactions

Sloane Stephens is still looking for her game as she goes into the US Open, with just a single win in the hard-court warm-up events prior to the tournament.

Stephens, who won the 2017 US Open, fell in the first round in Washington, D.C., and Toronto, and then fell to Svetlana Kuznetsova in the third round—she had a first-round bye.

“It’s been pretty inconsistent for me on the hard courts,” Stephens said. “I was just looking for a win and trying to fight through.”

The world No. 10, who reached the fourth round of the Australian Open in January, has not captured a WTA title or won back-to-back matches at a hard-court tour event this season.

But there have been some changes off the court. She announced her engagement to boyfriend and soccer player Jozy Altidore a few months ago. She also began working with veteran coach Sven Groeneveld during the clay season.

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Stephen's up-and-down performances on court have also come with harsh scrutiny on social media.

"I just blocked somebody. People are people, and everyone’s human and the human side of this sport means that people can be attacked,” Stephens was quoted as saying to press before Cincinnati. “People can say whatever they want with no accountability. That’s pretty tough, but the reality of it is that you can be doing really bad, and people can say really mean things to you and you’re supposed to just carry on.

"At some point, when things get good, those same people will tell you that you’re the best. Social media is almost like its own job, in how you have to keep up appearances, make sure people see you, and when you play a sport, feel connected.”

Stephens, even with the exit, could still keep her current position in the rankings.