United States female tennis star Sloane Stephens trained ahead of her 2022 Madrid Open clash with Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina in Nigeria national team jersey.
Stephens uploaded a photo of her donning the Nigeria national team home jersey on her Twitter handle.
She then accompanied the photo with a flame, the Nigerian flag and Super Eagles
“🔥🇳🇬 @NGSuperEagles.”
Stephens will take on Kalinina in round 64 of the Madrid Open on Friday, April 29.
The American’s photo putting on Nigeria jersey generated lots of reactions on Twitter.
Obong Itata, Esq. (@ObongItata) informed Stephens that the Super Eagles will take on Mexico and Ecuador in the US and urged her to watch the games.
“Hi, Sloane. The Super Eagles play Mexico at the AT&T Stadium, Dallas on May 28 and Ecuador on June 2 at the Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey. Wear your jersey proudly and show up for either game. I assure you’ll meet some of our stars and the matches will be memorable.”
JO£BABA FLIGHT LOGI$TIC$ (@49Joebaba) thanked Stephens for wearing Nigeria Jersey.
“THANKS @SloaneStephens For REPPING that JERSEY but, I would have LOVE you to have TAGGED @NGSuper_Falcons BECAUSE, they have DONE well than the MALE & That MEN’S team were too OVERRATED with BUNCH of lazy PLAYERS.
“Finally, ARE you a NIGERIAN or your BOYFRIEND is from THERE…😁“
Reacting to the photo, Solobizzy (@solomonbekebo) informed the tennis star the Super Eagles will not be at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“Thanks Lady. Unfortunately we ain’t gon be at the #FIFAWorldCup this year in Qatar. 😣”
And according to I am Habeeb (@UrbanBeardy)
“Welcome home Sloane! 🥰“
While 19 years old, Stephens rose to prominence at the 2013 Australian Open with a semifinal run beating world No. 3, Serena Williams.
Although she reached No. 11 towards the end of 2013, she regressed and stayed outside the top 25 to the end of 2015.
She returned from injury in the middle of 2017 and won the US Open singles title in her fifth tournament back. She was also awarded WTA Comeback Player of the Year for her successful season.