Tennis star Sloane Stephens has pulled out of the WTA’s Merida Open this week, citing personal reasons.
The 32-year-old’s decision came just days after announcing her divorce from retired soccer player Jozy Altidore.
The tournament, which is held in the Mexican state of Yucatan, began on Monday, despite the violence affecting the country following the death of Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera Cervantes, Mexico’s most wanted cartel boss.
Stephens had been set to kick start her tournament in a first-round matchup against Mexico’s Renata Zarazua on Tuesday.
She has been replaced by lucky loser Priscilla Hon, who lost in straight sets to Cadence Brace in the second round of qualifying on Sunday.
The 2017 US Open champion’s withdrawal came amid a challenging time away from the court, as she and former USMNT striker Altidore filed for divorce in Florida.
Tennis star Sloane Stephens has pulled out of the WTA’s Merida Open due to personal reasons
The American ace and her soccer star husband Jozy Altidore announced they are divorcing
Stephens announced the news on social media Saturday, writing: ‘Jozy and I have decided to end our marriage.
‘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.’
The couple, who got engaged in 2019, married three years later in January 2022 in a lavish ceremony at the ritzy St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in Miami Beach.
Stephens, 32, and Altidore, 36, are childhood sweethearts after first meeting while in middle school in Boca Prep, Florida.
The tennis ace only recently returned to the highest level of the sport after qualifying for the Australian Open.
It was the first Grand Slam for Stephens since losing in the same tournament to Aryna Sabalenka in 2025.
She made it through three rounds of qualifying as she continues her comeback from a left foot injury but was eliminated in the first round by Karolina Pliskova.
The couple married in January 2022 at the ritzy St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in Miami Beach
Stephens returned to the highest level of the sport after qualifying for the Australian Open
Violence broke out in Mexico after notorious drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes was killed
Stephens reached a career-high ranking of No. 3 but is currently at 775 in the world singles rankings.
Stephens’s decision to step away from this week’s WTA 500 event also arrives against a tense backdrop in Mexico.
Tournament organizers of the Merida Open and the men’s Mexican Open faced calls for both events to cancelled on Sunday after chaos tore through Mexico.
El Mencho, who was Mexico’s most wanted man and the leader of the feared Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) cartel, died in custody on Sunday shortly after being captured by Mexican special forces.
He was seriously injured in a firefight between his bodyguard and the military commandos sent to apprehend him, and died while being transported from Tapalpa in Jalisco to Mexico City.
Armed groups of the CJNG, one of the most powerful and feared criminal organisations in Mexico, have responded by blocking roads and setting fire to supermarkets, banks and vehicles, including in Jalisco’s capital, Guadalajara, a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The CJNG is one of Mexico’s most powerful drug cartels and has played a key role in trafficking methamphetamine and fentanyl to the US.
Yet, despite the violent scenes and concerns for players’ safety both the WTA and the ATP tournaments have gone ahead this week.
