Tennis Star Sloane Stephens and Husband to Divorce After 4 Years of Marriage

Sloane Stephens and Jozy Altidore Announce Divorce After Four Years Together

Tennis champion Sloane Stephens and retired soccer player Jozy Altidore have revealed that they are ending their marriage after four years. The news came directly from Stephens, who shared a heartfelt message on her Instagram Stories on February 21. At 32 years old, Stephens expressed her desire for privacy and mutual respect as they move forward separately.

“Jozy and I have decided to end our marriage,” Stephens wrote. “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.”

While Stephens publicly addressed the split, Altidore, 36, has yet to comment. Representatives for the former soccer star have not issued any statements regarding the couple’s separation.

The Journey of Their Relationship: From High School Acquaintances to Married Couple

Stephens and Altidore’s relationship dates back to their school days in Florida, but it wasn’t until 2016 that they reconnected and began dating seriously. Their romantic story began in an unexpected way during a US Men’s National Team camp. Altidore recalled in a 2022 Vogue interview how their eyes met as Stephens was training for the Fed Cup in Hawaii.

“I was doing a media scrum in the hallway during a US Men’s National team camp,” Altidore shared. “Sloane was there training for Fed Cup in Hawaii. Sloane turned the corner while having a loud conversation on FaceTime. We locked eyes and started talking during the scrum. We exchanged contacts and went to dinner after my game versus Iceland. The rest was history.”

After three years of dating, Altidore proposed in 2019 in a surprise art gallery setting, which Stephens described as surreal and unforgettable. The couple then tied the knot on New Year’s Day in 2022 at the luxurious St. Regis in Bal Harbour, Florida. Stephens chose the date symbolically, emphasizing a fresh start for the new year.

“I really liked the symbolism of starting a new year completely fresh with a new beginning,” she said at the time. “I fly to Australia to start my season soon, so this is what needed to happen.”

Challenges and Changes: How Marriage Impacted Their Lives and Careers

Both athletes have demanding schedules, which made wedding planning a challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, shifted their perspective on life and priorities. Stephens spoke about the hardships faced by her family during the pandemic, including the loss of grandparents and close friends, which reinforced the importance of cherishing time together.

Altidore also reflected on how marriage influenced his career decisions. In an October 2023 interview on CBS Sports’ “Kickin’ It” series, he revealed that being married made him consider family needs more deeply when choosing his next soccer team.

“I’m a free agent right now, so I’m in a bit of an unknown area,” Altidore said. “I just think [choosing a team] has to make sense for me at this point in my life. A lot goes into it now [with] going the family over. Before it was just me, pick up and go.”

He also credited Stephens for positively impacting his mindset and approach to life and sports.

“She’s done a lot of good things for me,” Altidore said. “We met up in 2016, reupped again and had a lot of good years together on the field, off the field. It’s been cool having somebody like that [who’s] always on it, makes you have to be always on it and change your mindset every day. [It’s] definitely been a plus to have.”

Conclusion

The announcement of Sloane Stephens and Jozy Altidore’s divorce marks the end of a significant chapter in both their lives. Despite the challenges, both remain respectful and private as they transition into new phases individually. Fans and followers are encouraged to support the athletes with kindness and understanding during this time.

Stay tuned for more updates on Sloane Stephens and Jozy Altidore’s journeys, and don’t forget to subscribe for the latest news on your favorite sports stars.