"Sloane Stephens should just retire on the spot";"Greatest choke in history" - Fans appalled at American's 'abysmal' display in shock US Open 1R loss

Sloane Stephens' unexpected loss in the first round of the 2024 US Open from a dominant winning position has outraged tennis fans. Stephens' victory appeared to be a foregone conclusion when Clara Burel mounted an unbelievable comeback to upset the American.

Competing in front of a packed crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Stephens initially treated the passionate home crowd to a commanding performance, clinching the opening set 6-0. The second set seemed poised to continue in the same fashion, with the American rushing away to a 3-0 lead.

However, as Burel raised her level, the 2017 US Open champion began showing signs of struggle, allowing the Frenchwoman to force a decider. Although Stephens managed to secure a crucial break to serve for the match at 5-4 in the third set, Burel held her nerve to claim a remarkable 0-6, 7-5, 7-5 victory.

Fans were left in disbelief over Sloane Stephens "choking" from a winning position, with one fan slamming her "abysmal" display while another argued that she should retire.

"Ain’t no way. This has to be the greatest choke in the history of tennis. I stopped watching when Stephens was 6-0 and 3-0 up in the second set. Ain’t no way," one fan wrote.

"One of the biggest chokes in recent memory," a fan commented.

"Ya know that would be a fitting way to end her US Open career… very indicative of her last 5 years of tennis. Downright abysmal," another fan chimed in.

"Sloane Stephens really about to lose from 6-0 3*-0... maybe she should just retire on the spot," a fan contended.

Fans also lashed out at the American for losing her determination whenever she faced any resistance, lambasting her for being "lazy" and "unmotivated."

"She is never beating the lazy unmotivated allegations😭," one fan posted.

"I can't think of another explanation on how you lose from 6-0 3-0 up other than just losing the will to bother as soon as your opponent offered the tiniest bit of resistance," another fan wrote.

Given that a section of fans had already been upset about Sloane Stephens receiving the primetime slot at Arthur Ashe Stadium, her dismal display brought forth more disappointment.

"The greatest worst match of all time in primetime Arthur Ashe," one fan posted.

"How on earth did Stephens and Burel get a primetime match on Ashe? Surely Sloane has to be retiring," another fan asserted.

"Sloane Stephens and Burel on Arthur Ashe Stadium in prime time is disrespectful to the sport lol this is a brutal level of tennis," said yet another.

Sloane Stephens suffers second consective 1R exit at US Open

Sloane Stephens (Source: Getty)

Since clinching the US Open title in 2017, Sloane Stephens has only reached the second week of her home Slam on one occasion, recording a quarterfinal finish in 2018. The American's campaign at the 2023 edition of the New York Major ended in the first round, as she suffered a 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 loss to Beatriz Haddad Maia.

After handing Stephens her second consecutive first-round exit at the New York Major, Clara Burel will square off against Victoria Azarenka in the second round. Azarenka battled back from a set down to claim a 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 win over Yuliia Starodubtseva and book her spot against the Frenchwoman.

The winner of the match between Burel and Azarenka will face Diane Parry or Wang Yafan in the third round, with the likes of Barbora Krejcikova and Paula Badosa looming in their quarter of the draw.