Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Stephens is preparing for her first Grand Slam final
Sloane Stephens says she received “hundreds of thousands of messages of abuse and anger” after losing in the US Open final.
The American had spoken in support of Donald Trump’s immigration ban after her quarter-final win over Sam Stosur.
She was accused of “slanderous” behaviour by some, after earlier saying she wanted to sign “whatever the hell” Trump was offering to fans.
“I had several horrible emails or phone calls from people talking about me in very vulgar, horrible, terrible ways,” she said.
“It wasn’t even with me or against me. It was this mental, I don’t know, torture, because they were sending me vile things with no reason.”
Her comments came during an appearance on “Good Morning America” to talk about her upcoming WTA Finals campaign at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on 1 October.
The 24-year-old will meet Czech Karolina Pliskova in the showpiece final.
Image copyright EPA Image caption Pliskova had a narrow semi-final win over Russian Daria Kasatkina
US Open champion Pliskova said during the interview that she was “happy for her”.
“Sloane is someone that always does what she wants,” she said.
The world number five believes her first appearance in a Grand Slam final would provide more motivation for her.
“With the US Open, I feel like I have to go out there and prove that I am on the same level. If I am not at my best, then there’s no point for me to be there,” she said.
“Every Grand Slam is a different experience, and just because you’ve made it to a final doesn’t mean that it has to be your first final.
“Just because you’ve made it to the finals doesn’t mean that it has to be your first finals. I am going to go out there and try to do my best.”
Earlier this week, Stosur said Stephens was “not a voice that should be raised by players”.