Sloane Stephens is keeping her expectations grounded as she begins another comeback on the WTA Tour, focusing less on rankings and more on simply staying healthy and competing regularly. The former US Open champion shared her outlook after exiting the Australian Open in the first round on Tuesday, Jan. 19, in Melbourne.

Stephens fell to Karolina Pliskova but left encouraged by her ability to complete a full buildup and compete pain-free on a major stage. For the 32-year-old, the priority in 2026 is continuity after a season largely wiped out by injury.

A long road back to competition

Stephens’ 2025 campaign was derailed by a stress fracture in her right foot, limiting her to just five matches across the entire season. She spent months sidelined and did not return to competition until September after opting against surgery, which she believed could have ended her career.

Rather than undergoing an operation similar to one she previously had on her left foot, Stephens chose an extended rehabilitation process. The decision required patience, including three months in a protective boot and a gradual return to hitting without high-intensity sessions until late in the year.

Stephens eased back into competition with appearances in Guadalajara and Tampico, where she exited in the opening round of both events. She carried that cautious approach into 2026, opening her season in Auckland before traveling to Melbourne.

A rare path to the main draw

At the Australian Open, Stephens took an uncommon route by playing through qualifying, something she had not done at the tournament since 2011. She won three matches to reach the main draw, including a victory over second-seeded qualifier Lucia Bronzetti.

The effort paid dividends in confidence, even though it ended with a first-round loss to Pliskova. The matchup was notable, marking the first Grand Slam meeting in decades between two players ranked outside the top 1000, both of whom are former top-three players and Australian Open semifinalists.

Stephens said the qualifying wins were valuable after a long stretch without match victories. She viewed the week as a mental breakthrough rather than a setback, emphasizing the importance of getting competitive repetitions again.

Looking ahead, Stephens plans to skip the Middle East swing and resume her season at the WTA 500 event in Merida, Mexico, in late February. She also intends to play Indian Wells, Miami and begin her clay-court campaign in Charleston, with flexibility depending on how her body responds.