Sloane Stephens inspires, called young fan a "queen"
Sloane Stephens, World No. 10, has never hidden her will to improve other people’s lives by setting an example for them.
“Being able to share my story in hopes of encouraging people to follow their dreams means so much,” said the 2017 US Open champion in a recent Twitter message.
Her comment was a reference to her meeting with Vanessa, a young player from the Bronx who has written a letter to the American star.
“Vanessa wrote to tell me how my journey inspired her and I got to surprise her in person,” Stephens explained.
The initiative was disclosed as part of a Nike campaign, and the 2018 Roland Garros finalist shared with her followers the video that illustrates the little story, including Vanessa’s letter.
“Dear Sloane Stephens,” wrote the fifteen-year-old. “My name is Vanessa. I’m fifteen years old, from the Bronx, and I have been playing tennis since the second grade. Your tennis skills and your motivation to play have always inspired me. You showed me that, if I worked as hard as you did, I could have a chance to be as good as you. You also taught me to never stop. You have had to go through a lot of hardships during your career, like family members passing, injuries, and surgeries, but you used that to get better. And as a result, you won a Grand Slam. I have had injuries too, that made me want to stop, but you showed me that stopping is not possible. Thank you for changing how I see my sport and myself. Sincerely, Vanessa.”
The short film ends with the image of Stephens and Vanessa posing together for a picture, both smiling very widely.
To conclude her Twitter message, the American star wrote, “Thank you Vanessa for being the queen that you are.”
Stephens will debut her 2019 US Open campaign on Tuesday 27th, facing Russia's Anna Kalinskaya on the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Doubtlessly a very popular player among the general crowds, she will feel all the support of her home public.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2PjlR8x
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