Beauty Spotlight on Sloane Stephens
When we found out that US Open winner Sloane Stephens was a fan of Maya Chia, we were floored. (Translation: we screamed, jumped up and down, and almost cried!)
Sloane Stephens is not just an incredible, record-breaking, once-in-a-generation tennis player, but she is also an amazing philanthropist and inspiring human being. We are so honored to feature her as our latest Maya Chia Beauty Spotlight. This is the 11th issue of our Beauty Spotlight series, where we highlight the accomplishments and journeys of admirable women doing incredible things.
Here are the basic stats on Sloane’s amazing tennis career so far, from her website: Never in the history of tennis has an athlete climbed the rankings at a more rapid pace than Sloane – going from No. 957 entering Wimbledon to No.12 in the world following her victory at the US Open in 2017. In addition to a US Open title, Sloane has won the Miami Open (2018), the ASB Classic (2016), Abierto Telcel Open (2016), the Volvo Car Open (2016), and Citi Open (2015). Sloane has also appeared in the French Open Final (2018), and was a finalist in the WTA’s Year-End Tournament (2018). Still in her prime, Sloane has proven to be a top 3 competitor in the world.
Incredible, right?! But there is so much more to Sloane than just her accomplishments on the court. She founded The Sloane Stephens Foundation in 2013, “with aims to improve opportunities for underserved children through education, fitness and sport. Through her foundation, Sloane Stephens has helped level the playing field for youth who otherwise would not have access to safe spaces for play and learning.”
One of my favorite stories about Sloane is about how she used her time off from tennis following foot surgery in 2017 to complete her bachelor's degree in communications studies from Eastern Indiana University, which is such a testament to her perseverance, her work ethic, and her commitment to learning.
Since Sloane travels more than forty weeks out of the year for her demanding tennis career and duties as a spokesperson, charity contributor, brand ambassador, etc., which means tons of airplanes, lots of different climates, and, of course, sweating on the court. All of that means that she understands the importance of hydration -- both by drinking lots of water and by using great skincare! Read on to find out what Maya Chia products are her favorites, and what else makes the incredible Sloane Stephens tick!
Maya Chia Beauty: What is one thing you do every day?
Sloane Stephens: I’m all about routines, and I have a lot of processes I go through daily, but I definitely moisturize every single day. The skin is the largest organ in our body, so it’s important to treat it right.
MCB: Where would you go if you could travel somewhere right now, all expenses paid?
SS: Egypt! Please and thank you.
MCB: Who is the person you wish you could talk to more?
SS: My grandparents, Doc and Glo. They passed away two years ago and I miss them every day. So much of who I am is from them and so much of my passion for self-care and wellness comes from their lessons as I grew up.
MCB: What are your favorite Maya Chia products - and why? : )
SS: Love the Super Naked Face Oil to give me that hydrated glow. It’s also a great product to use with a gua sha [tool] or face roller. I also enjoy The Refresh Mint Exfoliating Moisture Mask. I wear sunscreen and sweat every day, so I love to scrub the day away, and the cooling sensation from the mint feels great after being out on court.
MCB: What is one easy thing you do to be more "green" or eco-conscious?
SS: I lug around this massive refillable water bottle I found on Amazon to all my training and fitness sessions. It’s great. It has different times of the day printed on it so you can see if you’re making enough progress towards your daily water in-take goals. Instead of using a million plastic bottles during each training session, I use this.
MCB: What's the best advice you've ever received - and think other people might benefit from hearing?
SS: A former coach once told me “It’s not if, it’s when”, and I reflect on this advice often. This mindset shift really calmed me in that the things that are meant for you will happen. Keep working, trust the process, and focus on what you can control.
MCB: What is something you're really proud of?
SS: The Sloane Stephens Foundation! Please follow us on Instagram @sloanestephensfoundation :) 2023 marks our 10th year of operations. Tennis has given me so much in my life, and I wanted to use the sport to give kids from underserved communities opportunities to dream big and succeed. We’ve worked with over 15,000 youth in Compton and run year-round tennis, education, and mental health programs 6 days per week.
MCB: What do you wish you knew/learned sooner?
SS: To enjoy the journey along the way!
We’re so inspired by the ways in which Sloane gives back to kids and communities. We’re also amazed by how she continues to work so hard, both on and off the court, and we’re happy that Maya Chia plays a role in the ways she takes care of herself! We can’t wait to see what Sloane Stephens does next, and whatever it is, you can bet that we will be cheering her on!