No American men qualify for #Wimbledon and only one American woman: Once a Grand Slam singles champ and now working her way back Sofia Kenin #getty
"I'm loving the grass, I didn't used to really like it": Kenin hopes to revel in Wimbledon comeback bid
WTASunday, 02 July 2023 at 03:00
Sofia Kenin
expressed her confidence in competing in the main draw of Wimbledon after
successfully going through the qualifying rounds.
The American
tennis player entered the qualifying phase as the 23rd seed and showcased a
strong performance on grass. After securing two victories at the All England
Club, Kenin faced the 9th seed Taylor Townsend in the decisive match to reach
the main draw, emerging victorious with a score of 6-3, 6-3.
“I’m super
happy,” Kenin said.
“There were
a few dramatics towards the end so I just tried to get through it somehow and I
can celebrate now.”
Currently
ranked as world No. 126, she hasn't regained the level that propelled her to
win the 2020 Australian Open and reach the final of the French Open in the same
year. Sofia Kenin has faced several injuries that have kept her away from the
courts on multiple occasions throughout her career. She missed the 2022
Wimbledon due to an ankle injury and has never advanced beyond the second round
at the tournament.
“The first
goal was to qualify,” she said.
“I’m loving
the grass - I didn’t used to really like it so I’m really happy I battled
through qualies and I have three matches under my belt. That gives me a boost
of confidence. I’m looking forward to the main draw.”
This year
on grass, Sofia Kenin competed in the qualifying rounds of the Nottingham Open
as the second seed but lost in the first round to British player Sonay Kartal.
At the WTA 250 Veneto Open, she reached the round of 16 by defeating Taara
Zidansek, but she was defeated in a three-set match against Yanina Wickmayer.
In the
first round of Wimbledon, Kenin will face her fellow American Coco Gauff, whom
she has faced twice before. Their first encounter took place at the 2020
Australian Open, with Kenin emerging victorious on her way to winning her first
Grand Slam title in Melbourne. Their second match occurred earlier this year at
the ASB Classic, with Gauff securing the victory and ultimately claiming the
trophy by defeating her rival.
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