Days after receiving the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award at the ESPY Awards, former U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens paid a special compliment to Taylor Fritz, the world’s No. 1-ranked U.S. male player.
What Did Sloane Stephens Say About Taylor Fritz at the ESPYs?
The Americans posed side by side at the ESPYs, and Stephens later posted the picture on her Instagram. Fritz also reposted the story.
“The besties you never knew you needed,” Stephens wrote in her Instagram story, tagging Fritz. Stephens posted several pictures from the event, with a special shout-out to the stunning red dress she donned.
“Red called,” wrote the American. “I answered.”
Meanwhile, Fritz is coming off a massively successful grass-court campaign, which saw him win two titles and reach the semifinals of Wimbledon, where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz.
On Wednesday, Stephens became the first tennis player to receive the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award at the ESPYs for her philanthropic work with her foundation. The award was named after boxing legend Muhammad Ali in 2017, a year after his death.
“I’m so honored to be here tonight, to accept this award in the name of someone who meant so much to all of us,” Stephens said in her acceptance speech.
She later posted on Instagram, “This isn’t just about me, it’s about the kids we show up for, the work we believe in, and the future we’re building. One opportunity at a time.”
Mia Parker, one of the Sloane Stephens Foundation’s beneficiaries, attended the ESPYs with the tennis star.
“When I first met Mia, she was nine years old, this tiny powerhouse with a backhand like she’d been playing forever,” Stephens said of the surprise guest. “What I didn’t know then was that we were starting a journey together.”
With support from the Sloane Stephens Foundation, Parker competed in national junior tournaments and earned a tennis scholarship to attend Clark Atlanta University.
Stephens’ foundation, which she launched in 2013, is dedicated to “developing a constructive future for young people by providing educational opportunities and encouraging healthy lifestyles,” as per its official website.
How Has Sloane Stephens Performed on Court in 2025?
Stephens’ 2025 season has been marred by injuries and underwhelming results, resulting in her lowest ranking since 2017.
In February, Stephens injured her right leg at the Merida Open in Mexico, which has kept her out of subsequent tournaments.
The 32-year-old’s last title came in 2024 at the Open de Rouen in France. Stephens has won eight WTA Tour-level singles titles, including the 2017 U.S. Open. The American reached her career-high ranking of No. 3 in 2018.
