By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, August 29, 2026
Photograph credit score: Lexie Wanninger/San Diego Open
NEW YORK—Sofia Kenin is aware of the ability of patriotism.
Wielding a star-spangled Babolat Pure Drive racquet and exhorting herself repeatedly, Kenin introduced the fireworks successful her maiden main championship on the 2020 Australian Open earlier than reaching the 2020 French Open last months later.
The 27-year-old Kenin steps into the Slam highlight once more tomorrow night time facing fellow wild card Venus Williams in a blockbuster US Open Arthur Ashe Stadium night clash between two American Grand Slam champions.
Each former champions determine to be pumped for main revival: 46-year-old Venus is bidding to snap a 14-match singles dropping streak. The One hundred and tenth-ranked Kenin, who pushed 2025 Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova to a third-set tiebreaker at Wimbledon in July, is aiming to kick-start her season.
Although her lone prior match vs. Venus got here in World TeamTennis, Kenin famously shocked Serena Williams, 6-2, 7-5, within the 2019 Roland Garros third spherical and was pinching again tears after that momentous victory.
The 5’7” Kenin possesses the uncommon high quality of turning adversity into adrenaline to gas her struggle. Kenin fought off two set factors in each the primary and second units gorgeous world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty and silencing vocal Aussie followers on Rod Laver Area within the 2020 AO semifinals.
Some gamers carry a chip on their shoulder, Kenin’s complete profession has been constructed on defying doubters. Kenin can redirect the ball sharply down the strains and flick tender drop photographs fluttering into the quick court docket.
A lifelong Babolat Pure Drive participant—Kenin fell in love with the Pure Drive as a result of her favourite participant, Andy Roddick, used it—the previous world No. 3 performed in a Babolat-sponsored exo and clinic alongside Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Camila Osorio, Jerry Shang and different Babolat stars at Court 16 in Long Island City last night.
Afterward, we caught up with Kenin for this Q&A by which she discusses going through Venus on the Open, the challenges the Flushing Meadows main poses and her trademark drop shot.
Tennis Now: Sofia, when the schedule got here out that match—you towards Venus—actually pops off the web page for opening night time. Two American Grand Slam champions, electrical night time match, each of you get nice crowd assist in New York, it’s thrilling for American tennis. What’s your view on going through Venus on the Open?
Sofia Kenin: Positively. Sure it’s thrilling. Venus is such an icon, a legend, alongside, clearly with Serena.
So I’m actually excited to play Venus. I feel for the U.S., for American tennis, I feel that’s going to be a very nice, enjoyable, thrilling match. I’m actually trying ahead to it.
Tennis Now: You’ve gained the Australian Open, you’ve performed a Roland Garros last how does the ambiance in New York on the Open for you as an American evaluate to different Slams?
Sofia Kenin: Yeah, nicely the assist of New York followers are all the time behind my again, which I like, taking part in within the U.S.
It’s New York. It’s the Huge Apple. I like the vitality. I like being right here. So I’m simply actually excited for all of the assist.
Tennis Now: As you stated, Venus is an iconic champion. What are your recollections of going through and watching her or hitting together with her?
Sofia Kenin: I imply, we haven’t hit a lot. I performed together with her years in the past in World TeamTennis. Clearly, that’s completely completely different than after I play her on the US Open on Sunday.
Clearly, I regarded as much as Venus after I was little. I watched her rather a lot. She’s an incredible icon and participant and particular person together with Serena. So I’ve a variety of respect for them.
Tennis Now: On the stylistic facet of it, Venus had one of many largest serves the WTA has seen and also you’re among the finest returners. Are you able to discuss that stylistic match-up while you, as an excellent returner, go up towards good servers. Is {that a} problem you want? It’s a really cool stylistic match up? How do you goal to adapt?
Sofia Kenin: Oh God [laughs]. I’m completely happy you say my returns are good as a result of that’s good to listen to. Okay, good.Yeah, I’m enthusiastic about taking part in. Positively trying ahead to it.
Tennis Now: I discover the primary shot you hit tonight on this exhibition was a drop shot—it was an excellent one too. You’re identified for your dropper and Venus is 46 years previous. Will we see you employ the drop shot rather a lot towards Venus? Attempt to make her transfer?
Sofia Kenin: I used to be looking for it early at the moment. I imply, Venus is just not going to present me many alternatives [to hit the drop shot]. She hits flat and may hit deep. I’m simply going to should play my sport and construct the factors as I’d towards anybody.
If I’ve the chance for the drop shot, I’ll undoubtedly throw it in there.
Tennis Now: You’ve performed Babolat racquets, the Pure Drive, your entire life, proper?
Sofia Kenin: Sure, sure.
Tennis Now: So how did you develop that drop shot and that really feel? Such as you and Carlos, each Babolat gamers, each incredible drop photographs. In your case, when gamers like Roddick and Moya and Clijsters have been utilizing the Pure Drive, it had a repute as a giant energy and massive spin stick but you’ve all the time been capable of carve out some drop photographs, slices, some superb finesse. How do you do this?
Sofia Kenin: Yeah. I suppose me and Carlos discover a technique to do it [laughs].
I don’t know. It’s one thing that comes from apply, from expertise, from making an attempt various things. Clearly, we each do use the racquet for energy and stuff. We each can hit fairly massive—nicely Carlos can hit massive, not me, not me [laughs].
It’s all the time been part of my sport.
Tennis Now: Once you’re taking part in your greatest tennis you possibly can nook the opponent with the sharp crosscourt backhand after which rip the backhand winner down the road into the open area. How have you learnt when to drag the set off down the road? Is it your court docket positioning? Your opponent’s court docket positioning? Anticipation?
Sofia Kenin: Nicely, you simply really feel it.
Clearly, if it’s a better ball you form of transfer the opponent extra. And then you definitely count on a shorter ball and while you get it, you both hit the drop shot or you possibly can simply hit it down the road.
I hit down the road to attempt to be aggressive.
Tennis Now: I’ll always remember the best way you closed that 2020 AO last vs. Garbine Muguruza. You have been simply on fireplace on the finish, drilling the ball off the strains and actually going for it. Once you’re taking part in your greatest, while you’re within the zone like that, what goes proper? What’s your feeling or way of thinking in these form of tremendous moments?
Sofia Kenin: Nicely, clearly the adrenaline actually kicked in in that second in Australia. Once you’re taking part in the finals of the Australian Open a variety of issues kick in, yeah.
And the adrenaline kicked in and my sport simply got here collectively and I had no fears or ideas. Fearless, yeah, precisely that.
When issues go proper like within the Australian Open last or reaching the French Open last it’s like all of the practices, all of the matches, all of the work you set it, all of it comes collectively, with the adrenaline, and all the things simply clicks. It’s an important feeling.
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