Australian Open star breaks silence after punishment for eating sushi mid-match

22 January 2024 , 23:13

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Sloane Stephens was knocked out of the Australian Open on Saturday (Image: Getty Images)

Tennis star Sloane Stephens says she was "hungry" after eating sushi during her defeat to Anna Kalinskaya at the Australian Open.

Stephens, 30, raised eyebrows on Saturday after two boxes of sushi and two smoothies arrived on court. The American was spotted nibbling on the tasty Japanese dish in between games before Kalinskaya, 25, recorded a 6-7 6-1 6-4 win to reach the fourth round.

The takeaway arrived on court in the second set when Stephens was losing 5-0. It was even carried from the sidelines to her seat by the ball-kid. Stephens was later handed a code violation by the umpire for taking too long to eat between games.

Stephens has tried to justify the food delivery in a post on X. The former US Open champion wrote: "We had a long first set, I was hungry and this is all my team could find."

Stephens's mid-match meal shocked commentators. "Being told to hurry up between points so just a bit of discussion (with the umpire) and amongst that, just knocking off a little bit of sushi as well," one was heard saying on Australia's Nine network.

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In fairness to Stephens, the first set was gruelling. She got the better of her Russian opponent in a tiebreaker, winning 10-8. The impact of that lengthy set on Stephens was obvious, as Kalinskaya won to keep her dream of a maiden Grand Slam title alive.

"Well, it was a bit upsetting to lose the first set, having so many chances to do," said Kalinskaya after beating Stephens. "I had a few break points to be up in the score. I was up in the tiebreak. It's a game, and she played really good tennis. She's a great fighter. I just had to reset after the first set and change a little bit my strategy for the next two sets."

Stephens ordered some sushi during a match against Anna Kalinskaya

What do you make of Sloane Stephens's mid-match meal? Let us know in the comments below!

Kalinskaya, who has previously dated 2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios, had not got beyond the second round of a Grand Slam before this year's Australian Open. But she defeated Jasmine Paolini on Monday to reach the quarter-finals.

As for Stephens, she's still looking to win her second Grand Slam after her US Open triumph in 2017. She defeated her compatriot Madison Keys 6-3 6-0 at Flushing Meadows to win her home tournament and become a household name among tennis fans.

Stephens went on to reach the French Open final the following year - losing in three sets to Simona Halep - and was ranked No.3 in the world. Yet she has reached just two Grand Slam quarter-finals since the start of 2019 and is still waiting to regain her best form.

"I don’t know about you guys but I feel like we’re out the gates and we hit the track running in 2024," wrote Stephens on X after her Australian Open exit. "I’m miles ahead of where I was this time last year and I’m pumped and excited to keep the energy going. Thank you all so much for the support and it’s only going to get better!"

Tom Blow