Sloane Stephens, 19, earned a half million bucks last night, topped 35,000 Twitter followers and will likely break the top 10 in the Women’s Tennis Association. Her parents are Sybil Smith, a hall of fame swimmer at Boston University, and the late John Stephens, a former New England Patriots running back, who died in 2009.

Last night, Sloane Stephens made history at the Australian Open. She became the youngest American player to ever beat Serena Williams 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 in a quarterfinal match that ended at midnight, and I watched every minute.

She’s famous now, and this kid has some personality. The Wall Street Journal reported on her Twitter followers that include NBA star Shaquille O’Neal who told her, “When you defeat a legend, you become a legend. Keep it going.” The kid is in The Wall Street Journal.

She started a hide-and-seek game off the court — hiding a tennis ball with her name on it and tweeting clues on the grounds at the Australian Open.

ESPNW quoted her in a story:”This morning when I got up, I was like, ‘Look, dude, like, you can do this. Like, go out and play and do your best,’” Stevens said.

Williams, 31, has battled back from innumerable injuries during her stellar career. They include a blood clot, foot surgeries, countless sprains and back problems. Yet, every time she takes the court, she is impressive. Don’t ever count her out.

But Sloane Stephens is the new wave of tennis and a youngster to watch — especially since we’re all getting sick of hearing about lip syncing, Lance Armstrong and virtual girlfriends.

The games continue in Melbourne, and Sloane Stephens plays again later today — visit the official site for details.

Pam Parker is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa. She is the mom of three, stepmom to three, grandmom to one and an avid tennis player for nearly 40 years. 

It’s an odd year when nearly 31-year-old Serena Williams starts interviews with “I’m not retiring.” But who can blame her when 29-year-old Kim Clijsters announced last week that she would retire from singles after the U.S. Open.

Not 24 hours later, 30-year-old Andy Roddick added that it was his swan song as well. He plays today — read the US Open discussion of his chances here.

Serena is having one of her best years ever, and I would be surprised to see anyone beat her. She has come back from some major health problems, and had a disastrous French Open — losing in the opening round. She came back to win her fifth Wimbledon in record fashion with 24 services aces in one match and a record 102 in the tournament at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships. She also won the gold medal in the Olympics’ singles tournament and gold in the doubles with her sister Venus.

What’s to become of American tennis after Roddick leaves the game?  John Isner, 27, is moving up the ranks along with Jack Sock, 20.

On the women’s side, Sloane Stepens, 19, is making some waves as a younger American to be reckoned with. Her late father was a pro football player and her mom is a former All American swimmer.

Pam Parker has been a tennis player for more than 30 years. She is the editor of Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa.