Having Russian roots and growing up in the United States, there’s no wonder new Grand Slam champion Sofia Kenin has drawn inspirations from tennis legends Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams.
During Cincinnati Open 2019 Kenin was asked about her childhood idols. The woman who plays warrior-like tennis Kenin replied: “Serena and Maria, for sure.”
Williams has got one of the finest serves on the WTA Tour, also players on the men’s track find it difficult to read her serve. And the Florida-resident Kenin admires the deadly weapon which Serena possesses.
“Serena has got the amazing serve. You can’t compare. Never gonna have that serve, but I would love to have a motion like hers. We’ll see,” she said.
Kenin also shared that her victory over Williams in the third round of Roland Garros 2019 was one of the revered victories of her career.
“Maria Sharapova is fierce” – Sofia Kenin
Moscow-Born tennis player credits her Russian roots for her competitive and fearless tennis on the big courts. As she has been inspired from five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova.
“She’s fierce. She’s very competitive. Never gives up. That’s like a Russian instinct for me. I was born in Russia. I have always looked up to her,” she added. At a tender age of 17, Sharapova defeated Williams at Wimbledon finals and became a teenage major champion.
“I think it’s great that she won Wimbledon at 17. I was watching, laying on the couch. I’m, like, Oh, my God, it’s Maria Sharapova, she just won Wimbledon. How cool would it be if I do that?
Of course, I’m not gonna win at 17, because I’m already 20,” Australian Open 2020 champion Kenin added. Facing Sharapova in the third round of 2017 US Open was a critical point in Kenin’s career.
The 21-year-old was defeated in straight sets by Sharapova at the Flushing Meadows, New York, USA.
