Photo Source: Mark Peterson/ Corleve

The size of the fight in the tennis is more important that than the size of the tennis player in the fight, and American Sofia Kenin was living proof of that on Saturday night in Melbourne as she ripped and roared her way to her maiden major title.

Kenin, at 5’7”, says that size does not matter when it comes to playing great tennis.



“Size doesn't matter at this point,” she said on Saturday night to a packed room of reporerters. “You can play at this level. You can make incredible things happen. So size doesn't really matter. Just matters how tough you are and mental toughness.”

Speaking of mental toughness, Kenin proved that she had it in spades when she saved three break points to get out of serious trouble at 2-2 against Garbiñe Muguruza in the third set of her 4-6 6-2 6-2 victory over the Spaniard.

Kenin won five straight points in what was a legendary game and she won them in mind-blowing fashion as she routinely cracked down-the-line winners past Muguruza.

“I can remember that game very well, yes,” she said. “That's the game I feel like changed things. I had to play some best tennis. I did. After that, I was on fire. I was ready to take the beautiful trophy.”

Kenin says that part of her trademark tenacity comes from being of Russian heritage. Even though she moved to the US at a young age, she says she still feels Russian on the inside.

“I feel like I got the feisty,” she said when asked about her heritage and growing up watching players like Maria Sharapova. “I saw what it's like. She won a Grand Slam at 17, Maria, which I remember watching it on TV. Yeah, I feel like that definitely helped me. I have part of Russian stuff inside me, fight and fierce that I have. Trying just to be confident, do what I do best."

But her dreams? Those are American...

"And thank you to my parents for giving me the American dream," she concluded.