The 2017 season has been a glowing year for Sloane Stephens, who started the year with a foot surgery, but finished it with a US Open trophy, a Fed Cup title and a college degree.

Stephens graduated from Indiana University East on Thursday with a bachelor's degree in communication studies.

During Indian Wells this year when Stephens was working for Tennis Channel, she told Jon Wertheim that she was considering a post-playing career in TV commentary.

"Everyone in my family has a degree," the 24-year-old said. "My brother is a freshman at San Diego State, and I have to graduate before him."

She also revealed that, because of the WTA's partnership with the university, she has taken classes with Vicky Duval and Irina Falconi.

Venus Williams, who Stephens beat in the US Open semifinals, graduated through the program in 2015, with a degree business administration.

Billie Jean King congratulated Stephens on Twitter, calling her "a champion in life!"