Sloane Stephens has raised an alarm about the immense heat in Melbourne just days before the 2026 Australian Open. The Grand Slam is scheduled to take place from January 12 to February 1 at Melbourne Park.
Stephens opened her 2026 season by competing at the ASB Classic. Her first-round match was against Renata Zarazua, who secured a dominant 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 victory against the American. 2025 was a challenging year for Stephens, as she did not get past the first round in any of the tournaments and also suffered from multiple injuries.
She capped off her last season after competing at the ITF Tampico, where Sahaja Yamalapalli bested her in the first round. After an extended break, Stephens is looking for a comeback this season and is gearing up for the Australian Open. Just a few days before the Major, however, she issued a warning about the heat in Melbourne.
Taking to her Instagram story, she posted a screenshot of the weather conditions that showcased 104 degrees. Highlighting the extreme heat, she wrote:
“A warm welcome @australianopen.”
Stephen’s last tour win came at the 2024 Wimbledon, where she beat Elsa Jacquemot in the first round. During her break from tennis last year due to injuries, the American served as the tennis analyst and commentator in several tournaments.
Sloane Stephens Made Her Feelings Known About How Commentary Brought Her Closer to Tennis
In September 2025, Sloane Stephens reflected on her role as a tennis commentator and analyst. She worked as a commentator for TNT Sports at Roland Garros and also became a part of the Tennis Channel team. Taking to her Instagram story, she penned a note, opening up about how the experience helped her understand the sport better.
Revealing how commentary made her appreciate the ‘mental side’ of the game and highlighting the little details she learned during her new role, Stephens said:
“Honestly, commentary has given me a whole new lens on tennis. As a player, you’re so locked into your own preparation. Sitting in the booth. I’ve had to analyze matches in real time. It’s made me appreciate the mental side of the game even more.”
She added:
“How small momentum shifts, body language or tactical adjustments can completely change a match. I’ve also realized how much nuance there is in telling the story of a match. I try to bring honesty, insight, and respect to every match I call and every desk I sit on,” she added.
In 2024, Sloane Stephens hinted at her retirement. At a press conference at the Charlotte Invitational, she expressed the ups and downs she was facing in the sport and said that she no longer knew how long she would continue playing.
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