Sloane Stephens, who started on the road to winning the 2017 U.S. Open as a youngster in Fresno, is now officially hitched to professional soccer standout Jozy Altidore.
They wed on New Year’s Day at the St. Regis Bal Harbour in Miami Beach, Florida, according to People magazine.
“I really liked the symbolism of starting a new year completely fresh with a new beginning,” Stephens said. “Plus I fly to Australia to start my season soon so this is what needed to happen!”
The international fashion magazine Vogue covered the wedding in great detail. You can see the wedding pictures at this link.
Stephens and Altidore posted a wedding photo Tuesday on their Instagram accounts.
The couple announced their engagement on Twitter in April 2019 with a photo showing her wearing a diamond ring. Her tweet said: “Forever yes” and his said: “Forever starts now.”
Strict COVID-19 Protocols for Guests
“The bride, 28, wore a custom, beaded Galia Lahav couture gown with a Maria Elena headpiece, and Peter Marco diamonds as she said “I do” to Altidore, 32,” People reported.”Her up-do was crafted by Schacle Powell, and bridal makeup by Tia Codrington. Altidore’s barber for his wedding day cut was Christopher Bailey.”
Strict COVID-19 protocols were in place for the guests, the magazine said.
Altidore, who plays for Toronto FC, said he couldn’t wait to see Stephens walk down the aisle.
“It’s one of those moments that I know will live in my mind forever and time will stand still when I see her,” he said.
Stephens’ Tennis Career
Stephens rose to a career-best ranking of No. 3 in the world after Wimbledon in 2018. She has won six World Tennis Association titles, including the 2017 U.S. Open.
She is the daughter of Fresno native Sybil Smith, who became the first African-American female swimmer to be named a first-team All-American while at Boston University.
Her father is the late NFL running back John Stephens. After a divorce, Sloane Stephens, 2 years old at the time, moved with her mother from Florida to Fresno.
She took up tennis at the age of 9 at Sierra Sport and Racquet Club, where her stepfather, Sheldon Farrell, played. The head of the club was former world Top 100 player Francisco González, and he became her first coach.
Altidore’s Soccer Career
Altidore has 42 goals in 115 appearances for the United States but has not appeared for the national team since 2019.
He has been with Toronto FC of Major League Soccer since 2015. He also has had stints with the New York Red Bulls (2006-08), Spain’s Villarreal (2008-11) and Xerez (2009), England’s Hull (2009-10) and Sunderland (2013-15), Turkey’s Bursaspor (2011) and the Netherlands’ AZ Alkmaar (2011-13).
