It is another week and another disappointment for Sloane Stephens.  It is an exaggeration to suggest that she has reached a point of “do-or-die,” but she is at a juncture that could have a significant bearing on her season and possibly on her career.  The American’s performance this week in Doha drove home the fact that she has three critical issues that she must address to fulfill her potential.

First and foremost among those issues is her negativity and what appears to be a chronic lack of motivation.  Those who watched Stephens in her first-round loss to Petra Cetkovska in Doha know that, throughout the bulk of that match, the American did not look like she wanted to be competing for a place in the second round.  Her on-court demeanor prompted TennisTV commentator Claire Wood to question whether or not Stephens was enjoying herself. The despairing looks she shot towards her box after practically every point lost suggested that the answer to Wood’s question was a resounding “no.”  Fellow analyst Jason Goodall also commented that Stephens appeared to be looking for excuses rather than solutions in her straight-sets loss to the Czech.  This is a pattern we have seen before with Stephens, and it is a pattern that appears to be becoming more frequent and more prolonged within matches.

That first issue may connect to a second issue facing Stephens, which is her lack of success at events outside the majors.  Granted, many players don’t bring the same level of intensity to the regular tour events that they do to the majors. Still, it is easier to be forgiving of players like Serena Williams and Roger Federer if they appear a little disinterested at the tour events.  They are far more experienced and accomplished than someone like Stephens, who should be showing more hunger at those smaller tournaments and using them as stepping stones to achieve bigger and better things.  Until she can do that, she will struggle with the week-in and week-out grind of tour life.

To be fair to Stephens, she is also trying to deal with a third issue – a niggling wrist injury – that likely contributed to her setback this week in Doha.  It is not her fault that she incurred the injury in Perth, but she is responsible for how she handles it.  Despite deeming the injury serious enough to withdraw from Fed Cup play this past weekend, Stephens opted to turn around and play Doha.  She also is still in the draw for Dubai next week.  Only Stephens knows how serious the situation is, but she need look no further than players like Flavia Pennetta and Juan Martin del Potro to know what can happen with a wrist injury.  If her wrist is troubling her significantly, it might be time to take a break.  The time off would not only allow the wrist to fully heal, but it might help her discover more motivation and spark the hunger once again.

Whether Stephens does opt to take a rest or to continue soldering on, it is clear that she must resolve these three issues.  She has been blessed with speed and a natural athletic ability.  Moreover, Stephens has the kind of personality the media loves, and she already has a knack for embracing the big moments on the grandest stages in the sport.  Most of that is stuff you cannot teach, and it would be disappointing to see it go to waste because of some poor decisions early in her career. 

Stephens has the makings to be a top player and maybe even a Grand Slam champion.  American tennis wants her to be that player.  Her fans want her to be that player.  But she must want to be that player for it to happen.