"Before I would get so upset, now it's like who cares?" - When Sloane Stephens brutally shrugged off haters after 8th straight loss at Australian Open

When Sloane Stephens showed up at the 2018 Australian Open, she was the reigning champion of the US Open and one of the most popular tennis players at the time. At the same time, it was also a strange time for the American, as she was on a seven-match losing streak and not expected to go far at the tournament.

The expectations, as it turned out, were right after all, as Stephens fell in the opener to Zhang Shuai, falling to an eight-match streak of losses. Although Stephens took the opening set 6-2, Zhang turned the tide with a stunning comeback, winning 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-2 to go through to the next round.

Interestingly, at her press conference afterwards, the former World No. 3 did not appear the least bit concerned and exuded a sense of optimism nobody expected from her given her struggles with form. Sloane Stephens even included a message for her haters, saying that she knew they would think she had not done enough in her career even though she had just won the US Open.

Regardless, she asserted that it did not matter, as what really mattered to her was what she thought of herself at the end of the day. As for the losing streak, Stephens admitted that she was going through a tough period in her life, but did not think it was a big deal as she was still 'having fun' and enjoying the moment.

"I think winning the US Open, like, it's just never going to be enough for certain people and people who talk about and you guys who write it about it and whatever, it's never going to be enough. But as long as it's enough for me and I feel good that I have done what I can to progress and do whatever I can for my personal career, that's okay," Sloane Stephens said.

"You know, before I would get so upset about what people would write and say things about me on TV and blah, blah, blah, and now it's, like, yeah, who cares? Like, I won a Grand Slam, I'm going through a tough time. Who cares? No one cares about my life. I'm just having fun. I'm enjoying it," she added.

"Nothing is going wrong" - Sloane Stephens after Australian Open 2018 defeat

2018 French Open - Day Fourteen - Source: Getty

At the press conference, Sloane Stephens was bluntly asked what she felt was 'wrong' in her game that led to eight losses in a row. Once again, the American coolly brushed it off, saying that nothing was wrong and that it was just starting trouble for her with it being so early in the season.

"Nothing's going wrong. Just the first two tournaments of the year. And it happens. I'm sure it's happened to other players, as well," Sloane Stephens said.

"As I said, not going to get too down. There's many more tournaments to play, and a long season ahead," she added.

As a glowing testament to her confidence, Stephens did find her mojo back as the year went on, and reached the final of the French Open that year for the first time in her career.