Stephens splits with coach Groeneveld ahead of U.S. Open

FILE PHOTO: Aug 14, 2019; Mason, OH, USA; Sloane Stephens (USA) serves against Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) during the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) - American Sloane Stephens has parted ways with her coach Sven Groeneveld less than a week before the U.S. Open gets underway, the former champion has said.

Stephens, who only teamed up with Dutchman Groeneveld in May, has not announced a replacement ahead of the year's final Grand Slam, which begins on Monday.

"After much thought, Sven Groeneveld and I have decided to go our separate ways," 2017 champion Stephens said in a tweet https://twitter.com/SloaneStephens/status/1163451348949655552.

FILE PHOTO: Aug 14, 2019; Mason, OH, USA; Sloane Stephens (USA) returns a shot against Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) during the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

"Change is never easy, but I'm so appreciative of our time together. Onward!"

Groeneveld, who has previously coached former world number ones Ana Ivanovic and Maria Sharapova, thanked Stephens for their time together.

"I wish you a strong @usopen, you have all it takes, I believe in you!" he wrote on Twitter.

FILE PHOTO: Aug 14, 2019; Mason, OH, USA; Sloane Stephens (USA) reacts against Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) during the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherfordpeter.rutherford@thomsonreuters.com; +822 6936 1482)

FILE PHOTO: Aug 14, 2019; Mason, OH, USA; Sloane Stephens (USA) returns a shot against Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) during the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports