Tennis star Sloane Stephens marries soccer player Jozy Altidore on New Year's Day – USA TODAY
Sloane Stephens is ringing in 2022 as a wife.
The tennis star, 28, tied the knot with soccer player Jozy Altidore, 32, on New Year’s Day Saturday, the newlyweds announced on Instagram Tuesday.
“1.1.22,” Stephens captioned a wedding photo of herself and Altidore smiling. The 2017 U.S. Open champion opted for a beaded Galia Lahav gown and headpiece.
Stephens and Altidore, who plays for Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC and the United States men’s national soccer team, were childhood friends who began a relationship after reconnecting in 2016. The couple announced their engagement in April 2019.
“Forever yes,” Stephens tweeted at the time.
Stephens and Altidore got married at St. Regis Bal Harbour in Miami Beach, Florida, according to People. Sloane said their nuptials were postponed because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which claimed the lives of both her grandparents within a week nearly a year ago.
“I empathize with all the COVID couples out there who have had to make the tough calls and be flexible with the ever-changing pandemic,” Stephens told the outlet. “We’ve all had to be super flexible, and I appreciate how accommodating our loved ones have been in making sure we have as safe and special a day as possible.”
Altidore opened up to USA TODAY Sports in 2018 about his “special” relationship with Stephens, who reached the final at the 2018 French Open and won the 2017 U.S. Open. He praised the level of understanding they have for each other as world-class athletes.
MORE: Jozy Altidore, Sloane Stephens make it work as sports power couple
‘SO EXHAUSTING’: Sloane Stephens shares horrid, abusive Instagram messages
“She is somebody who gets everything I am going through without having to say anything,” Altidore said. “You look at each other and you kind of know right away if one of you is annoyed. She just kind of gets the mood I’m in, as obviously she lives a very similar kind of life.”
He continued: “In that regard it works really well, there is no stress. She is a successful athlete and I do okay, and we just enjoy our time together when we are together.”
The feeling is mutual. On Tuesday, Stephens told People: “We both have incredible crazy jobs and lives, and knowing that through it all, we have each other as our constant and true home base is such a comforting feeling.”
