Kenin, the Kournikova fan who came from the cold and challenged Roddick

Sofia Kenin (Moscow, 21 years previous) might have been the successor of her idol, Anna Kournikova, in Russia if her dad and mom, Alexander and Lena, had not determined to maneuver to the United States when their daughter was just a few months previous. That they had lived a number of years earlier than in New York in 1987, however they returned to their homeland in order that different members of their household might assist them deal with the youngster. After they determined to return to America, to Pembroke Pines (Florida), they did it with little cash, however they survived. And Sofia, or Sonya, as his family members name him, might begin taking part in tennis with solely 5 years, at the request of his father, who had practiced as an novice.

Rick Macci, a prestigious coach who had taken Roddick, Capriati, Sharapova, Serena and Venus Williams, amongst different stars, observed the lady. He educated him till age 12 (now his father does). “It was a scary little creature, it had a formidable coordination and a terrific means to hit the ball as quickly because it bounces, though his racket was greater than her, ”Macci mentioned. And it was true. When she was seven, she mentioned she would be capable of subtract a serve from Roddick, in a video that went viral and the one which was seen utilizing the identical racket with which Andy performed, which was primary in the world in 2003 and 2004. The previous rescued these photos final Thursday to congratulate Kenin. A photograph of Sofia was additionally made well-known at the moment when she is worked up in Kournikova's arms.

She quickly turned a baby prodigy and came to take part in an exhibition with Jim Courier towards Venus Williams and Todd Martin. As junior he received the Orange Bowl, though his best success in Grand Slams was to be a finalist in the 2015 US Open. That 12 months he participated in the senior workforce, though he didn’t go the first spherical. Actually, his explosion has been late and he arrived final 12 months, when he received his first three titles, in Hobart, Mallorca and Guangzhou, and was a finalist in Acapulco, successes that positioned him in the top-20 (he’ll go away Melbourne at the least ninth, seventh if he lifts the title) and took the prize to the participant of better development of the WTA. In doubles he received alongside Genie Bouchard in Auckland and with Bethanie Mattek-Sands in Beijing. In Roland Garros it didn’t go eighth, its cap till then, and half a 12 months later it’s in the last of the Australian Open, the youngest that reaches it in additional than a decade. He loves films, going out with pals, music, his iPhone, touring and taking part in along with his sister and his pals. That is Sofia Kenin, the lady who went from the cold of Moscow to the warmth of Florida … and Melbourne.