Sloane Stephens won’t look back after losing her way following US Open triumph

AMERICAN Sloane Stephens says she is “not going to look back” on a disappointing end to 2017 and has the desire to win another Grand Slam after her breakthrough US Open triumph last September.

A smiling Sloane Stephens at a press conference this week. Picture: AP

AMERICAN Sloane Stephens says she is “not going to look back” on a disappointing end to 2017 and has the desire to win another Grand Slam after her breakthrough US Open triumph last September.

The 24-year-old enters the Australian Open having not won a match since she beat Maddison Keys in the final at Flushing Meadows and has been battling a knee complaint.

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However, Stephens said she was now feeling “fine” and was excited to turn over a new leaf in Melbourne after her recent poor form, which most recently included a first-round exit at the hands of world No.100 Camila Giorgi at the Sydney International.

“I think you have to kind of put everything in perspective, evaluate where you are,” Stephens said yesterday.

“I think personally I had a lot of things going on (late last year). I’m not going to look back on it. It’s a new year, new season. I’m hoping not to get injured. There’s tons of things to look forward to. I’m not going to dwell too much on that.”

Sloane Stephens during her loss to Camila Giorgi at the Sydney International. Picture: AAP

Women’s tennis legend Chris Evert, an 18-time Grand Slam champion, last week questioned whether Stephens had the “burning desire to win more Grand Slams or be No.1”.

However, a defensive Stephens brushed off any such talk, saying her life had not significantly changed since her US Open win and she was hungry for more success.

“For me, I like to just stay in my own little bubble and do my own thing. I’m going to continue to do that,” Stephens said.

“I would like to win another Grand Slam. I mean, it was tough (to win the US Open). Obviously it’s doable because I did it. I’d definitely like to do it again.”

Stephens missed last year’s Australian Open after having foot surgery but enters this year’s tournament as the 13th seed and faces a first-round clash with China’s Shuai Zhang tomorrow.

“She’s my favourite player on tour,” Stephens said of Zhang.

“Not my favourite player, but favourite person, because I love her so much. She’s really a great girl. It’s going to be a great match.”