Wuhan: US Open champion Sloane Stephens said she has always found it hard to play in Asia and admitted she was a long-shot for the WTA Finals after her unsuccessful return to action at the Wuhan Open.
Stephens, making her first appearance since she landed her maiden Grand Slam title by winning the US Open at at Flushing Meadows, insisted that she might now have a better chance of making the Elite Trophy, the second-tier season finale.
The 24-year-old American went down meekly 6-2, 6-2 to China’s 55th-ranked Wang Qiang here Monday as Madison Keys, the US Open runner-up, also crashed out in the first round.
“Asia is always tough for me. It’s hard for me to adjust (to the time change),” said Stephens. “I’m not going to be too upset about this. I mean, things happen. Just kind of, oh well.”
Stephens also said her goals had not changed since her unexpected win in New York earlier this month. She asserted that her only aim is to stay fit and healthy, after a foot injury led to an 11-month absence from the game and saw her plummet to 957th in the world.
“At this very moment… I think it’s just about staying healthy and making sure my body doesn’t fall apart,” she said. “My goal was never to win a tournament or win a Grand Slam. I just want to be fit and continue playing tennis.”
Stephens is still a contender to finish in the top eight and reach the eight-player WTA Finals in Singapore next. She is currently 12th in the Race to Singapore rankings.
Agence France-Presse
