Peyton Stearns is an American professional tennis player born on October 8, 2001.
She has been ranked as high as No. 43 in singles and No. 71 in doubles by the WTA.
Stearns played college tennis for the University of Texas, becoming the first Texas player to win the NCAA Division I Women’s Singles National Championship in 2022.
She turned professional later that year and achieved significant success, including winning her first WTA Tour title at the 2024 Grand Prix Son Altesse Royale La Princesse Lalla Meryem in Rabat, Morocco.
Parents
Peyton’s parents are Mike Stearns and Denise Stearns.
Mike is the owner and president of Comp Med, a medical billing company in Newport, Kentucky, and played tennis in college, which influenced Peyton’s interest in the sport.
Denise graduated from the University of Texas, where she was part of the gymnastics team.
She often attends Peyton’s matches and supported her decision to play tennis over other sports due to her dislike of baseball outfits.
Both parents are American and are still married, residing in Ohio with their children, including Peyton’s younger brother, Preston Stearns, who also plays tennis.
Career
Stearns’ career is marked by her early success in junior and college tennis, which laid the groundwork for her professional endeavors.
She began playing tennis at a young age, influenced by her family’s involvement in sports.
Her father, Mike Stearns, played tennis in college, which encouraged Peyton to take up the sport. She showed early promise and was highly ranked as a junior player.
Stearns attended the University of Texas, where she played college tennis.
During her time at Texas, she achieved significant success, culminating in winning the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Singles National Championship.
This victory marked a milestone as she became the first player from the University of Texas to win the title.
Following her NCAA success, Stearns decided to turn professional in 2022.
She made her major main draw debut at the US Open as a wildcard, marking her entry into the professional tennis circuit.
In 2024, Stearns won her first WTA title at the Grand Prix Son Altesse Royale La Princesse Lalla Meryem in Rabat, Morocco.
This victory was a significant milestone in her professional career, showcasing her ability to compete and win at the highest level.
Stearns reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 43 in 2023.
This ranking reflects her consistent performance and growth as a professional player.
Her best Grand Slam results include reaching the third round at both the French Open and the US Open.
As a rising star in women’s tennis, Stearns is expected to continue her upward trajectory.
Her NCAA success and early professional achievements suggest she has the potential to become a top-ranked player.
With continued hard work and strategic play, Stearns could achieve even greater success in the tennis world.
Like many young players, Stearns faces challenges such as maintaining consistency across different surfaces and adapting to the physical demands of the professional tour.
However, her NCAA background and early professional wins provide a strong foundation for overcoming these challenges.