Sofia Kenin believes part of her bid to clinch a second consecutive Australian Open title could be linked to advice from a star of the men’s game.
The 22-year-old is aiming to become only the third American woman to have defended her title at the Melbourne major within the past 20 years after Jennifer Capriati and Serena Williams. Williams is also the last female player to defend a Grand Slam title of any sort by doing so at the 2016 Wimbledon Championships.
Looking ahead to the Grand Slam next month, Kenin says she is ready to seek advice from fellow player Novak Djokovic who has won the tournament a record eight times. The two also exchanged words last year before the world No.4 won her first major title but she is keeping coy about what they discussed.
“I definitely think I can talk to Novak. I think that will be helpful since we’re both defending champions,” Kenin told reporters in Abu Dhabi.
“He did give me great advice ahead of the final (last year) since we were practicing next to each other.
“He came up to me and he was really nice about it and told me some things before the final which was special because I was crazy nervous.
“He told me some things which I will not disclose since I’d rather keep it a secret.”
Kenin came back from a set down to defeat Garbine Muguruza in the final of last year’s Australian Open. Since then, she has managed to enjoy success on the Tour by winning the Lyon Open and reaching the final of the French Open. Overall, she has won 24 out of 33 matches played during 2020 and was named the WTA’s Player of the Year in December.
Like her peers, Kenin will also have to contend with the new challenge of quarantine. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Australian government has stated that all players arriving in the country must self-isolate for 14 days before they can play any professional tournaments. Although they will be allowed to train during this period. As a result of the regulations the Australian Open has been delayed until February for the first time in over 100 years.
“It’s not the most ideal situation,” Kenin commented.
“I wish we could go out and walk around the city but we can’t. It is what it is. I’m just happy to be here, I’m happy to be travelling, I’m trying to keep it as normal as possible.
“The rules are quite harsh, but it’s for everyone.”
Kenin is the top seed in this week’s Abu Dhabi Women’s Tennis Open which is the first WTA event of 2021.
