So that whole idea of Sloane Stephens and Serena Williams being BFF is apparently not happening. In fact, there looks to be a fight brewing between the two tennis ladies as the French Open quickly approaches at the end of the month. While some thought Williams was the future mentor to Stephens, the two do not sound too kind on each other. Stephens recently told ESPN The Magazine that she has not heard a word from Williams since last year's Australian Open.
After the 20-year old rookie sensation upset the 15-time Grand Slam champion in the quarterfinal match in Melbourne, it was hoped that Williams would be a potential mentor to the up and coming star. Sadly, there is no love between the two.
"She's not said one word to me, not spoken to me, not said hi, not been in the same room with me since I played her in Australia. And that should tell everyone something, how she went from saying all these nice things about me to unfollowing me on Twitter," Stephens said.
Of course Twitter is the root of this feud. After the loss in the Australian Open, Williams posted a tweet saying, "I made you." Stephens said the tweet was obviously about her, noting that Williams went on to unfollow her on Twitter and delete her for Blackberry Messanger. These are standard problems of 2013.
There were signs of a fued brewing during a match in Brisbane when Stephens complained to her coach about William's in-match shouts. She believed the shouts were disrespectful. Stephens later backed-up her actions saying they were light-hearted and she was joking. She claimed the jabs were just "friendly fire." Stephens also noted that both Williams sisters snubbed her for an autograph during a tournament back when she was 12. Stephens waited all day for an autograph and they walked past her three times without signing her poster.
Stephens apparently self-appointed Williams as her mentor. She believes that role involves Williams calling her, helping her out and knowing about her life. She expected Williams to show that she cared. No word on whether or not Williams actually accepted the role of mentor.
Both Stephens and Williams will be present at the upcoming French Open. The war of words could lead to a very interesting match if the two were slated to play each other.