Media playback is not supported on this device I was home crying – Stephens
Newly crowned US Open champion Sloane Stephens says she was flooded with messages of “abuse and anger” after her shock defeat by Caroline Wozniacki in New York.
American Stephens, 24, had a comeback bid scuppered by a 6-3 7-5 defeat in the final at Flushing Meadows.
Many of the posts were related to tennis bans and bans, including Serena Williams being sidelined through pregnancy.
“There were some threatening messages, there were some messages of hate,” said Stephens.
“I think I got more than 2,000 messages. I mean, I’m not a cow. I don’t respond to that kind of stuff.
“I don’t care what people say about me. I just care about the people that I’m talking to in my life.”
Stephens will have to wait until August to defend her title after suffering an elbow injury during the final against Wozniacki.
“I just really want to thank God that I’m healthy and everything and that I’ve been able to win this title and this trophy so I’m going to have a lot of great memories from this tournament,” she said.
“It means the world to me.”