Sloane Stephens and Jozy Altidore are ending their marriage after four years together as husband and wife.
Stephens, the 2017 U.S. Open champion, announced the separation on February 21, 2026, using Instagram Stories to tell her followers that she and the former U.S. men’s national team striker had decided to go their separate ways.
The announcement was brief and deliberately private. Stephens did not reveal a specific reason for the breakup and instead emphasized that the pair were approaching the transition with mutual respect.
The Announcement
Stephens shared the news directly with her followers rather than allowing speculation to build around the couple.
In her statement, she confirmed that she and Altidore had decided to end their marriage and said she was navigating the transition peacefully. She also asked the public to respect their privacy.
The wording offered little detail about what happened behind closed doors. Neither Stephens nor Altidore has publicly identified a particular event or disagreement as the reason for their separation.
That has left the circumstances surrounding their divorce largely private.
A Long History
Stephens and Altidore’s relationship goes back much further than their marriage.
The two first met when they were children and attended middle school together. Their paths later separated as they pursued their respective careers in professional sports.
They reconnected as adults in 2016 and eventually began a romantic relationship.
Their shared history made their relationship unusual among celebrity sports couples. Both understood the demands of competing at the highest level and had spent years building careers in international sport.
The Engagement
Altidore proposed to Stephens in April 2019.
The engagement followed several years of their relationship becoming increasingly public. Stephens was already an established tennis star at that point, while Altidore had enjoyed a long career with the U.S. national team and professional clubs.
The couple appeared to be building a future together while continuing their demanding athletic careers.
Their wedding eventually came after a delay of more than two years.
The Wedding
Stephens and Altidore married on January 1, 2022, in Miami Beach, Florida.
The New Year’s Day ceremony took place at a luxury resort and brought together family and friends to celebrate the couple.
Their wedding marked the beginning of a four-year marriage, although their personal connection stretched back considerably further.
For Stephens, the marriage came during a period when she was balancing professional tennis with her work away from competition. Altidore was also navigating the later stages of an extensive soccer career.
No Public Explanation
One of the clearest aspects of the split is how little the couple has said about its cause.
Stephens has not accused Altidore of wrongdoing, nor has she described a particular incident that led to the separation.
Instead, her statement focused on respect and privacy.
That approach has also shaped the public conversation surrounding the breakup. Without a detailed explanation from either person, claims about what happened remain speculation.
For now, the only confirmed information is that they jointly decided to end their marriage.
Stephens Returns to Tennis
The divorce announcement came while Stephens was still an active competitor on the WTA Tour.
She briefly withdrew from the Mérida Open following the announcement, citing personal reasons.
The decision allowed her time away from competition as she dealt with the major change in her personal life.
Stephens subsequently returned to the tour, continuing her professional career rather than stepping away from tennis.
Her ability to separate her personal circumstances from her competitive ambitions has been a recurring feature of her career.
Her Tennis Legacy
Stephens became a Grand Slam champion at the 2017 U.S. Open.
Her victory in New York was the defining achievement of her career, arriving shortly after she returned from a serious foot injury that had kept her away from competition.
She defeated Madison Keys in the final to win her first major singles title.
Over the years, Stephens has remained one of the most recognizable American players on the women’s tour, combining her Grand Slam success with a long career at the highest level.
Her divorce does not change that sporting legacy.
Altidore’s Career
Jozy Altidore built his reputation as one of the leading American soccer forwards of his generation.
He represented the United States at multiple major international tournaments and scored important goals for the national team.
At club level, Altidore played in several countries and competed in Major League Soccer and European leagues.
Although his playing career has evolved, his name remains closely associated with American soccer.
Like Stephens, he has spent much of his adult life under the scrutiny that comes with elite sport.
A Private Transition
Stephens’ decision to announce the separation herself appears to reflect her desire to control the narrative while keeping the details private.
Her request for privacy is particularly significant given the public nature of both athletes’ careers.
Rather than turning the end of their marriage into a public dispute, Stephens has emphasized a respectful transition.
Altidore has not publicly offered a conflicting account of the separation.
What Happens Next?
As of 2026, Stephens and Altidore are moving forward separately after four years of marriage.
There has been no public disclosure of a specific cause for their divorce, and neither has suggested that a dramatic public controversy is behind the decision.
Stephens has returned her attention to professional tennis, while Altidore continues his life beyond the peak of his playing career.
Their relationship began with a childhood connection, developed into a romance years later and eventually led to marriage in Miami. Now, after four years as husband and wife, they have chosen to close that chapter privately.
For fans, the most important confirmed message remains the one Stephens shared herself: the couple is separating with mutual respect and is asking for space as they navigate what comes next.
