Tennis ace with Premier League flop partner pines for Wimbledon after embracing new career

Sloane Stephens has admitted that she misses Wimbledon more than she'd "like to admit" amid her absence from the Grand Slam this summer. The 32-year-old has enjoyed an illustrious career, culminating in her No. 3 ranking on the WTA Tour in 2018 and her US Open win a year earlier.

However, Stephens has been forced to withdraw from a number of big-name events as of late, courtesy of a recurring ankle injury. As a result, she is not at SW19 this summer, and will instead watch her rivals compete for glory from the wings. With that being said, Stephens has taken the opportunity to hone in on other endeavours within the sport of tennis while recovering from foot surgery, thriving as a sideline reporter and a commentator with the likes of TNT Sports and The Tennis Channel.

Taking to the stories section of her Instagram account after her punditry duties at the French Open, Stephens wrote: "I just want to say THANK YOU to everyone supporting me on this journey. I have never felt so much love and support.

"I have so many incredible moments in my tennis life and this is definitely one i will always remember. I appreciate every msg and note that you've all sent my way. It doesn't go unnoticed."

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But that hasn't prevented the American from pining about the London Grand Slam which is currently underway, taking to Instagram to share a photo carousel of her sporting the Wimbledon whites while writing: "Miss it more than I'd like to admit," alongside a racket emoji.

Away from tennis, Stephens is also married to footballer Jozy Altidore. Stephens and Altidore initially met as teenagers, given that the two both attended the same middle school in Boca Raton, Florida.

The two reconnected in 2016, before tying the knot in a lavish ceremony in Miami Beach six years later. Altidore may have thrived with the likes of AZ Alkmaar and Toronto FC, but he will be best remembered by English fans as a flop with Sunderland AFC.

The now 35-year-old joined the Black Cats from AZ in 2013 in a £9.4million move, although he never managed to live up to the price tag. The striker managed just three goals in 52 games for Sunderland before he was involved in a swap deal for Jermain Defoe in January 2015, a move which benefited both teams equally.

Defoe became a club hero on Wearside with 37 goals in a century of appearances for Sunderland, while Altidore thrived in the MLS with Toronto, bagging 79 in 173. He moved on to New England Revolution in 2022, but has been without a club since 2023.