There is still lots more tennis to be played even after the conclusion of the final Grand Slam of the year at the US Open.
Aryna Sabalenka beat Amanda Anisimova to defend her US Open title and win her fourth major overall.
Despite being the world number one since October last year, it is the first Grand Slam she has won this year, with Sabalenka losing in the Roland Garros final and the Australian Open final.
Sabalenka was able to avenge those Grand Slam final defeats, as she continues to build her name in the history books.
The Belarusian will now take some time to celebrate her victory, while another former US Open champion is preparing to make her return to tennis.
Photo by Robert Prange/Getty ImagesSloane Stephens confirms she will return to tennis at the Guadalajara Open
Sloane Stephens won the US Open in 2017, and has been as high as world number three in the WTA rankings.
However, she has not featured much on the WTA Tour this year, with Stephens injuring her foot, forcing her to be out of action since the Merida Open in February.
Got a little boo boo on my foot again 💔 Setbacks are never easy—physically or emotionally—but I trust the universe to guide me in the right direction. Still waking up grateful every day 🙏🏾 I’ll do my best to get back on court soon! Thank you for all the love and encouragement❤️ pic.twitter.com/j48vcBZvhL
— sloanestephens (@SloaneStephens) March 8, 2025
View Tweet
As a result of her inactivity, Stephens has fallen outside the top 900 in the world rankings for the first time since 2017.
After missing the US Open, Stephens received a wildcard for the WTA 500 tournament in Guadalajara, a city where she has won one of her eight previous titles.
Stephens has been conducting media duties during her time on the sidelines, and has now confirmed that she will definitely be playing in Guadalajara next week.
The 32-year-old does not yet know who she will be playing, as she has been drawn against a qualifier.
Sloane Stephens looks to end losing streak at the Guadalajara Open
Not only will Stephens be looking to return to the WTA Tour for the first time in seven months at the Guadalajara Open, she will also be bidding to end her losing streak.
Stephens is currently on a 10-match losing streak, and has not won a match since beating Elsa Jacquemot in the first round of Wimbledon in 2024.
This includes Stephens suffering a heartbreaking defeat at the US Open last year, despite winning the first nine games of her match against Clara Burel.
TournamentResultWimbledon (2R)Diana Shnaider beat Stephens, 6-1 6-1Washington Open (1R)Amanda Anisimova beat Stephens, 6-3 7-5Canadian Open (1R)Greet Minnen beat Stephens, 6-2 6-2US Open (1R)Clara Burel beat Stephens, 0-6 7-5 7-5Guadalajara Open (1R)Olivia Gadecki beat Stephens, 6-4 6-3Korea Open (1R)Hailey Baptiste beat Stephens, 7-6(4) 6-2Auckland Open (1R)Ann Li beat Stephens, 5-7 6-4 6-4Hobart International (1R)Ann Li beat Stephens, 7-5 6-1Australian Open (1R)Aryna Sabalenka beat Stephens, 6-3 6-2Merida Open (1R)Petra Martic beat Stephens, 6-2 6-3
The main draw of the Guadalajara Open will get underway on Monday, September 8, with it currently unclear as to when Stephens’ first match will take place.
What is confirmed is that if Stephens is to end her losing streak in her comeback, she will play fourth seed and defending champion Magdalena Frech.