US Open champion Sloane Stephens was told she’d be lucky to play D-II tennis

Sloane Stephens told a great story after winning the U.S. Open on Saturday.

The 24-year-old beat Madison Keys in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0, to win her first major. After the match, she was conducting an interview with ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi and was asked about the support of her mom. That led Stevens to share a tale about how she was once told when she was younger that she would be lucky to play Division II tennis in college.

“When I was 11 years old, my mom took me to a tennis academy. One of the directors there told my mom that I’d be lucky if I was a Division II player and I got a scholarship,” Stephens recalled. “And I think any parent that ever supports their child, you could be me one day, so parents, never give up on your kids. If they want to do something, always encourage them.”

It was a great message from Stephens, especially since it came right after she won a major. Hopefully lots of parents and children listened to the message. Don’t let people stand in the way of your dreams; you could end up like Stephens one day.