By Richard Pagliaro | Saturday, August 29, 2026
Photo credit: Lexie Wanninger/San Diego Open
NEW YORK—Sofia Kenin knows the power of patriotism.
Wielding a star-spangled Babolat Pure Drive racquet and exhorting herself continuously, Kenin brought the fireworks winning her maiden major championship at the 2020 Australian Open before reaching the 2020 French Open final months later.
The 27-year-old Kenin steps into the Slam spotlight again tomorrow night facing fellow wild card Venus Williams in a blockbuster US Open Arthur Ashe Stadium night clash between two American Grand Slam champions.
Both former champions figure to be pumped for major revival: 46-year-old Venus is bidding to snap a 14-match singles losing streak. The 110th-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.
Though her lone prior match vs. Venus came in World TeamTennis, Kenin famously shocked Serena Williams, 6-2, 7-5, in the 2019 Roland Garros third round and was pinching back tears after that momentous victory.
The 5’7” Kenin possesses the rare quality of turning adversity into adrenaline to fuel her fight. Kenin fought off two set points in both the first and second sets stunning world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty and silencing vocal Aussie fans on Rod Laver Arena in the 2020 AO semifinals.
Some players carry a chip on their shoulder, Kenin’s entire career has been built on defying doubters. Kenin can redirect the ball sharply down the lines and flick soft drop shots fluttering into the short court.
A lifelong Babolat Pure Drive player—Kenin fell in love with the Pure Drive because her favorite player, Andy Roddick, used it—the former world No. 3 played in a Babolat-sponsored exo and clinic alongside Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Camila Osorio, Jerry Shang and other Babolat stars at Court 16 in Long Island City last night.
Afterward, we caught up with Kenin for this Q&A in which she discusses facing Venus at the Open, the challenges the Flushing Meadows major poses and her trademark drop shot.
Tennis Now: Sofia, when the schedule came out that match—you against Venus—really pops off the page for opening night. Two American Grand Slam champions, electric night match, both of you get great crowd support in New York, it’s exciting for American tennis. What’s your view on facing Venus at the Open?
Sofia Kenin: Definitely. Yes it is exciting. Venus is such an icon, a legend, along, obviously with Serena.
So I’m really excited to play Venus. I think for the U.S., for American tennis, I think that’s going to be a really nice, fun, exciting match. I’m really looking forward to it.
Tennis Now: You’ve won the Australian Open, you’ve played a Roland Garros final how does the atmosphere in New York at the Open for you as an American compare to other Slams?
Sofia Kenin: Yeah, well the support of New York fans are always behind my back, which I love, playing in the U.S.
It’s New York. It’s the Big Apple. I love the energy. I love being here. So I’m just really excited for all the support.
Tennis Now: As you said, Venus is an iconic champion. What are your memories of facing and watching her or hitting with her?
Sofia Kenin: I mean, we haven’t hit much. I played with her years ago in World TeamTennis. Obviously, that’s totally different than when I play her at the US Open on Sunday.
Obviously, I looked up to Venus when I was little. I watched her a lot. She’s a tremendous icon and player and person along with Serena. So I have a lot of respect for them.
Tennis Now: On the stylistic side of it, Venus had one of the biggest serves the WTA has seen and you’re one of the best returners. Can you talk about that stylistic match-up when you, as a good returner, go up against good servers. Is that a challenge you like? It’s a very cool stylistic match up? How do you aim to adapt?
Sofia Kenin: Oh God [laughs]. I’m happy you say my returns are good because that’s good to hear. Okay, good.Yeah, I’m excited about playing. Definitely looking forward to it.
Tennis Now: I notice the first shot you hit tonight in this exhibition was a drop shot—it was a good one too. You’re known for your dropper and Venus is 46 years old. Will we see you use the drop shot a lot against Venus? Try to make her move?
Sofia Kenin: I was trying to find it early today. I mean, Venus is not going to give me many opportunities [to hit the drop shot]. She hits flat and can hit deep. I’m just going to have to play my game and build the points as I would against anyone.
If I have the opportunity for the drop shot, I’ll definitely throw it in there.
Tennis Now: You’ve played Babolat racquets, the Pure Drive, your whole life, right?
Sofia Kenin: Yes, yes.
Tennis Now: So how did you develop that drop shot and that feel? Like you and Carlos, both Babolat players, both fantastic drop shots. In your case, when players like Roddick and Moya and Clijsters were using the Pure Drive, it had a reputation as a big power and big spin stick yet you’ve always been able to carve out some drop shots, slices, some fine finesse. How do you do that?
Sofia Kenin: Yeah. I guess me and Carlos find a way to do it [laughs].
I don’t know. It’s something that comes from practice, from talent, from trying different things. Obviously, we both do use the racquet for power and stuff. We both can hit pretty big—well Carlos can hit big, not me, not me [laughs].
It’s always been a part of my game.
Tennis Now: When you’re playing your best tennis you can corner the opponent with the sharp crosscourt backhand and then rip the backhand winner down the line into the open space. How do you know when to pull the trigger down the line? Is it your court positioning? Your opponent’s court positioning? Anticipation?
Sofia Kenin: Well, you just feel it.
Obviously, if it’s an easier ball you kind of move the opponent more. And then you expect a shorter ball and when you get it, you either hit the drop shot or you can just hit it down the line.
I hit down the line to try to be aggressive.
Tennis Now: I’ll never forget the way you closed that 2020 AO final vs. Garbine Muguruza. You were just on fire at the end, drilling the ball off the lines and really going for it. When you’re playing your best, when you’re in the zone like that, what is going right? What is your feeling or state of mind in those kind of super moments?
Sofia Kenin: Well, obviously the adrenaline really kicked in in that moment in Australia. When you’re playing the finals of the Australian Open a lot of things kick in, yeah.
And the adrenaline kicked in and my game just came together and I had no fears or thoughts. Fearless, yeah, exactly that.
When things go right like in the Australian Open final or reaching the French Open final it’s like all the practices, all the matches, all the work you put it, it all comes together, with the adrenaline, and everything just clicks. It’s a great feeling.
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