Sloane Stephens Withdraws from WTA Merida Open Citing Personal Reasons
Tennis star Sloane Stephens has pulled out of the WTA's Merida Open this week, citing personal reasons. The 32-year-old American's decision came just days after she announced her divorce from retired soccer player Jozy Altidore, marking a challenging period away from the court.
Divorce Announcement and Tournament Withdrawal
Stephens had been scheduled to kick off her tournament in a first-round matchup against Mexico's Renata Zarazua on Tuesday. However, she has been replaced by lucky loser Priscilla Hon, who lost in straight sets to Cadence Brace in the second round of qualifying on Sunday. The 2017 US Open champion's withdrawal follows her and former USMNT striker Altidore filing for divorce in Florida.
Stephens announced the news on social media last Saturday, writing: 'Jozy and I have decided to end our marriage. With peace, I am navigating this transition with mutual respect and kindly ask for privacy during this time. Thank you for your love, understanding and continued support.'
Background of the Relationship and Recent Comeback
The couple, who got engaged in 2019, married three years later in January 2022 in a lavish ceremony at the ritzy St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in Miami Beach. Stephens and Altidore, 36, are childhood sweethearts after first meeting while in middle school at Boca Prep in Florida.
Stephens only recently returned to the highest level of the sport after qualifying for the Australian Open. It was her first Grand Slam since losing in the same tournament to Aryna Sabalenka in 2025. She made it through three rounds of qualifying as she continues her comeback from a left foot injury but was eliminated in the first round by Karolina Pliskova.
Stephens reached a career-high ranking of No. 3 but is currently at 775 in the world singles rankings, highlighting her ongoing efforts to regain form.
Tournament Proceeds Amid Mexican Violence
The Merida Open, held in the Mexican state of Yucatan, began on Monday despite the violence affecting the country following the death of Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera Cervantes, Mexico's most wanted cartel boss. El Mencho, leader of the feared Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) cartel, died in custody on Sunday shortly after being captured by Mexican special forces.
He was seriously injured in a firefight between his bodyguard and the military commandos sent to apprehend him, and died while being transported from Tapalpa in Jalisco to Mexico City. Armed groups of the CJNG, one of the most powerful and feared criminal organisations in Mexico, have responded by blocking roads and setting fire to supermarkets, banks, and vehicles, including in Jalisco's capital, Guadalajara, a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The CJNG is one of Mexico's most powerful drug cartels and has played a key role in trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl to the US. Tournament organizers of the Merida Open and the men's Mexican Open faced calls for both events to be cancelled on Sunday after chaos tore through Mexico.
Yet, despite the violent scenes and concerns for players' safety, both the WTA and the ATP tournaments have gone ahead this week, underscoring the tense backdrop against which Stephens's withdrawal occurred.
