Sloane Stephens hits back at online critics who think she should retire

Sloane Stephens has read all the comments calling for her to back down – but don’t expect her to listen.

In an exclusive interview with Us Weeklythe tennis star, 31, explained how she has learned to let social media criticism sink in after more than 15 years in her professional career.

“People have no filter,” said Stephens, who spoke to Us through her partnership with Daily Harvest. “They also don’t understand that you are another human being. They would never say it to your face. He actually stops people from giving their lives there because they don’t want to be judged.”

Stephens added, “It’s about what the athlete can handle, right? “Should you retire?” I say, ‘If these people are still paying me, I’m not going.’ I think people don’t understand, if someone paid you a lot of money, you wouldn’t quit your job. You wouldn’t quit your job.”

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After all, Stephens explained that she’s in her “I don’t give a shit” phase.

“As an athlete, you have such a tough skin in general,” said the 2017 US Open champion. So when people comment on my post like, “Why are you posting this?” It’s my site. Get the f out.”

While Stephens boasts of well-worn armor, she acknowledged how “younger athletes haven’t experienced that.”

“I’m like, ‘Oh, whatever,'” she said of her social media mindset. “If I post and you don’t like it, just follow somebody else. Unfollow me. Block me. Do whatever you have to do. If you feel secure in your world and your life and your tennis or whatever it is, you don’t react so much to what other people say.”

As for her physical health, Stephens – who still spends 40 weeks a year on the road – revealed how her partnership with Daily Harvest came about, ironically, quite organically.

“During COVID is when I first started using Daily Harvest because we were all trying to figure out how to get healthy options,” she explained. “I couldn’t go out and I wasn’t cooking. Throughout my career, I’ve always had small parts and stints where I was somewhere for a month. I’ve always loved using the meal prep options because it’s just easier for me.”

Now, Daily Harvest has unveiled a line of protein-packed smoothies in Vanilla Bean, Dark Chocolate and Mixed Berry flavors.

Daily Harvest has also partnered with Doc & Glo, Stephens’ body care company, to highlight both brands’ commitment to supporting active lifestyles and overall wellness.

“When they came out with a smoothie, I knew it had me written all over it,” she said. “It’s so easy, so simple. It just fits. It’s true.”