Emma Raducanu’s Australian Open opponent Sloane Stephens married to former Premier League flop

Emma Raducanu will kick off her Australian Open campaign this week as she takes on American Sloane Stephens - who is married to renowned Premier League flop Jozy Altidore.

Altidore is regarded as one of his nation's biggest stars back home in the States, having scored 77 goals in 175 MLS games, whilst also sitting as his country’s third all-time leading scorer on 43.

However his time in the Premier League was far from his American successes, after failing to impress during spells with Hull City and Sunderland.

Raducanu’s opponent Stephens will no doubt prove a tough test for the US Open champion on Tuesday, as the American has won her home Grand Slam herself having won the title at Flushing Meadows back in 2017.

Emma Raducanu is in Australian Open action on Tuesday. (Getty Images)

Two years later the tennis ace got engaged to long-time partner Altidore, and the pair finally tied the knot earlier this month.

Whilst Stephens impressively has a Grand Slam title to her name in her sport, Altidore’s reputation in his field is less notable, with the American widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s biggest ever flops.

The striker first made his move on to British shores in 2009 after joining Hull City on loan from Spanish setup Villarreal.

His stay in Humberside was a below par one though as he managed just two goals in 30 appearances, with one coming in a 2-1 victory over five-time Premier League champions Manchester City.

Is Jozy Altidore the Premier League's biggest flop? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.

Jozy Altidore married Sloane Stephens this month. (Getty Images For The Met Museum/Vogue)

In spite of his poor spell, Altidore then made the move to Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in 2013 and netted an impressive 39 goals in 67 Eredivisie appearances to earn him a move back to the big time.

This time it was Sunderland who came calling for the American’s signature, but his Premier League troubles came back to haunt him during his stay in the North East.

Altidore failed to impress during his time in England. (LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: (L-R) Jozy Altidore of Sunderland is tackled by Gary Cahill of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on April 19, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images))

Across two seasons for the Black Cats Altidore scored just one Premier League goal in 42 appearances, coming in a 4-3 defeat away to Chelsea.

Whilst the 32-year-old failed to produce in England, he has since enjoyed an impressive career for MLS outfit Toronto FC, and also announced himself as US soccer stalwart, making 115 caps for the national team and scoring 43 goals.