Rising American star Peyton Stearns dumps coach amid explosive misconduct probe—what’s next for the WTA sensation?

American rising star Peyton Stearns is turning the page on a turbulent spring just in time for a deep run at the 2026 Credit One Charleston Open. Three weeks after publicly cutting ties with coach Rafael Font de Mora—who is being investigated by the WTA for alleged misconduct—Stearns has responded by powering into the round of 16 on the green clay, where she meets fellow American McCartney Kessler today at 11 a.m. local time on Althea Gibson Club Court. The 24-year-old Texan arrived in Charleston ranked a career-high No. 46, buoyed by a confident start to the season that included a first-round win at the Australian Open and back-to-back quarterfinals on hard courts. But the bigger storyline has been off court: Stearns confirmed in Indian Wells that she split with Font de Mora after the Australian major and is now working with Spaniard Roberto Ortega, a former ATP pro known for his clay-court expertise. The switch appears to be paying dividends; Stearns has dropped just one set through her first two matches in Charleston thanks to a heavier topspin forehand and improved first-serve percentage, two areas Ortega targeted during their March training block in Florida. A win over Kessler would put Stearns into her first WTA 500 quarterfinal of the year and keep her in the hunt for valuable ranking points ahead of the European clay swing. It would also extend an impressive 12-3 record on clay since last May, highlighted by her maiden tour title in Rabat and a third-round appearance at Roland Garros. Stearns credits a new fitness routine that emphasizes explosive lateral movement—crucial on Charleston’s slower green clay—for the surge in form. Beyond the X’s and O’s, fans are rallying behind Stearns as she navigates a season filled with both promise and scrutiny. With marquee names Jessica Pegula and Madison Keys lurking in the top half of the draw, the tournament’s all-American flavor is generating buzz on social media and driving search interest in Stearns’ next chapter. Key SEO takeaways: • Peyton Stearns Charleston Open 2026 run • Credit One Charleston Open round-of-16 matchup vs McCartney Kessler • Stearns splits with coach under WTA investigation, hires Roberto Ortega • Rising WTA ranking and clay-court momentum ahead of French Open If Stearns keeps serving big and dictating with her forehand, Charleston could mark the moment her breakout season truly takes flight.