Sloane Stephens has had quite the whirlwind 15 months since breaking her Grand Slam duck with victory in the US Open 2017 final.
Despite a post slam-winning slump that lasted into the early months of 2018, the American turned things around in March, snapping an eight-match losing streak and going on to win the title in Miami to break into the top 10.
After reaching her second major final at the French Open, where she fell to world No.1 Simona Halep in May, Stephens finished runner-up in Montreal and at the WTA Finals in Singapore to end the year at world No.6.
“I don’t think I’ve still fully settled,” Stephens said. “I feel like just when I think it’s like over, then … there’s more. Like you make another final in a Grand Slam, or you’re in Miami and it starts all over again.”
.@SloaneStephens says she’s already found her must-go-to restaurant in Brisbane: An Indian spot near her hotel.
“It’s a problem when every player comes up to me and says, ‘You know there’s good Indian food closeby… ‘“ 😂 #BrisbaneTennis pic.twitter.com/PA3S5PDJcx
— #BrisbaneTennis (@BrisbaneTennis) December 30, 2018
Back at the Brisbane International for the first time since falling to Serena Williams in the quarter-finals six years ago, Stephens admitted that a return had been on the cards for a while.
“I’ve wanted to come back here and I think it was just time for a good change-up,” she said.
It is a change in schedule the 25-year-old hopes will keep things fresh as she finds herself on the go more frequently since her breakthrough at Flushing Meadows.
“I feel like I’ve had to balance, like last year I had to balance my time really well, just trying to like figure out how to handle my life and what was important to me, my priorities, my family, making time to see my grandparents, and all the things that I find important,” she said.
“When things are going so fast and you’re moving and playing from city to city, you kind of just get lost in the sauce.”
For Stephens, in 2019 that means staying on top of her priorities, her health, and her playing level – and not forgetting to source good Indian food, either.
“There’s a really good Indian next to my hotel, so obviously I’m happy with that,” she laughed. “I love Indian food, so it’s exciting.”
Stephens faces a tough opening match on Pat Rafter Arena on Tuesday against former Australian Open semi-finalist, Johanna Konta.
Tickets to the Brisbane International are on sale via Ticketek.