Sloane Stevens responds to online critics who think she should retire

Sloane Stevens has read all the comments calling for her to retire, but don't expect her to listen.

In an exclusive interview with Us WeeklyThe 31-year-old tennis star explained how, over 15 years into her professional career, she has learned to let social media criticism wear her down.

“People have no filter,” said Stevens, who spoke to us in collaboration with Daily Harvest. “They also don't realize you're a different person. They would never say that to your face. It actually stops people from putting their lives on the line because they don't want to be judged.

Stevens added: “It's all about what the athlete can handle, right? 'Should you retire?' I'm like, 'If these people are still paying me, I'm not going.' would pay you a lot of money, you wouldn't quit your job. You wouldn't quit your job.”

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After all, Stevens explained that she was in her “phase where I don't give a shit.”

“As an athlete, you have such a tough skin in general,” said the 2017 US Open champion. To the bettors and people who literally say, “You should have won, you bitch.” So when people comment on my post like, “Why are you posting this?” This is my page. Remove the f—.

Although Stephens prides herself on having well-worn armor, she admitted that “younger athletes haven't experienced that.”

“I thought, 'Oh, whatever,'” she said of her social media mindset. “If I post and you don't like it, just follow somebody else. Don't follow me. Block me. Do whatever you have to do. If you feel safe in your own world , in life and tennis or whatever, you don't react so much to what other people say.

As for her physical health, Stephen — who still spends 40 weeks a year on the road — gushed about how her relationship with Daily harvest arose, ironically, quite organically.

“I first started using Daily Harvest during COVID because we were all trying to figure out how to get healthy foods,” she explained. “I couldn't go out and I couldn't cook. Throughout my career, I've always had bits where I've been for a month. I've always loved using meal prep because it's just easier for me.

Now Daily Harvest is open a line of protein-rich smoothies in vanilla bean, dark chocolate and mixed berry flavors.

Daily Harvest has also partnered with Doc & Glo, Stephens' body care company, to highlight both brands' commitment to active lifestyles and overall wellness.

“When they came out with the smoothie, I knew I had it all written down,” she said. “It's that simple, that simple. It just fits. It's real. “