Sports Illustrated Kids – September 2019

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n the decade since she turned pro at 16 years old,

Sloane Stephens has become one of the top U.S. players

on the WTA Tour. But before she upset Serena Williams

at the 2013 Australian Open, or won the 2017 U.S. Open,

or ascended to the No. 3 world ranking, Stephens was a

kid with a yellow racket, some matching outfits, and a

love for tennis that she shared with her family.

I just happened to live across the street

from a club in Fresno, California, and

that’s how I started playing tennis in

summer camp when I was around

seven. My stepdad played in a league,

and I would go and watch him on the

weekends. The coach at the club

played with my stepdad. I knew him

really well, and I was like, O.K., I want

to play. Then I started taking lessons.

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20 / SPORTS ILLUSTRATED KIDS