French Open analyst faces backlash over Stephens ‘ranch’ line

During TNT’s French Open coverage, Adam Lefkoe referred to Sloane Stephens as “off the ranch” while mentioning “crops needed tending,” prompting accusations of racially insensitive language. Stephens stayed composed and did not respond on air. Neither Lefkoe n

Tuesday’s broadcast began like any other—French Open analysts at the Roland Garros desk, the Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd settling in, and tennis experts moving through their pre-match breakdowns.

But when Sloane Stephens sat down for coverage alongside John Isner, Sam Querrey, and Caroline Wozniacki, Adam Lefkoe’s welcome landed with a jolt. As the broadcast opened, Lefkoe said: “Yee-haw, Sloane Stephens, y’all. Great to see you get off the ranch, I know the crops needed tending.”

Stephens, introduced as part of TNT’s analyst team for the tournament, appeared caught off guard. The 2017 U.S. Open champion kept her poise and did not respond on air.

Viewers weren’t as quiet. Many questioned whether the remark carried racial undertones, arguing the “ranch” and “crops needed tending” wording echoed discriminatory language rooted in the history of abuse and discrimination Black Americans have endured for 250 years.

The moment played out as Lefkoe described Stephens’s outfit. He pointed to a look that included a white Western hat, a blazer, and a matching Miu Miu handbag with gold accents. To some fans, it was precisely the combination—Western styling paired with the phrasing—where the offense appeared to land.

A number of people took to social media in anger. with one viewer writing. “Tennis will never beat the allegations that it is a racist sport.” Another added. “What did I just hear?. The commentary all week has been off putting. They also called Coco (Gauff) well spoken.” A third said. “Props to her for maintaining her cool but she really shouldn’t have had to.”.

Stephens has repeatedly spoken about racism she has encountered as a Black athlete, but the broadcast controversy did not come with any clarification from her about whether this specific incident should be placed in that category.

For defenders, the issue was different: context. TNT Sports and Lefkoe did not issue a public statement about the comment. Still, colleagues moved quickly to explain their perspective.

Christine Williamson, an ESPN colleague, posted on Threads in defense of Lefkoe, writing: “Adam Lefkoe is married to a Black woman. and tending crops is something that farmers do. but i can totally understand how people can take this out of context.”

Stephens continued her tournament coverage on Wednesday. maintaining her presence in the French Open storyline after her playing days had ended earlier. She had been eliminated in the first round at Roland Garros. Entering the tournament with a 6-11 singles record. she had also earned qualifying victories over Carol Young Suh Lee. Lisa Pigato. and Leyre Romero Gormaz before falling in straight sets to Sara Bejlek in the first round of the main draw.

Her schedule also kept her close to tennis royalty. On Wednesday, she sat next to Venus Williams after Williams expressed sympathy for Aryna Sabalenka following Sabalenka’s quarterfinal loss to 22-year-old Russian Diana Shnaider.

The quarterfinal matchups being discussed during Lefkoe’s on-air introduction were part of a wider draw that set up a semifinal between Marta Kostyyuk and Mirra Andreeva. That competitive arc continued behind the scenes—while the backlash over a single sentence carried on in the open.

French Open Sloane Stephens Adam Lefkoe TNT Sports Roland Garros backlash racially insensitive racial undertones Western hat Miu Miu handbag Christine Williamson Venus Williams Aryna Sabalenka