Serena Williams hugged me for my Australian Open title. KENIN

The two players linked up for Team USA’s Fed Cup qualifier where Serena congratulated Kenin for winning her first major title.

Serena Williams hugged me for my Australian Open title. KENIN

Serena Williams is one of the friendliest athletes in tennis. The 23-time Grand Slam champion often has a good rapport with her fellow players. She was a bridesmaid at Maria Sharapova’s wedding and the two have a close relationship. With a new generation of players starting to enjoy success over the last few seasons, the former world number one has been among their biggest supporters.

Serena said she was proud of me

After winning her first major title at the Australian Open last month, Sofia Kenin has revealed that Serena congratulated her in a special way. The two players were part of Team USA during the Fed Cup qualifiers. In a recent interview, the Australian Open champion says the two had an unforgettable encounter. Fresh off her win in Australia, Kenin says that when she saw Serena during the team’s preparations, the 38-year-old hugged her for winning her first major. “It was super exciting. She first congratulated me, hugged me, and said she was proud of me. It meant a lot coming from her. She’s my idol.”

Young players look up to Serena Williams

Kenin is one of many young players who grew up idolizing Serena. The 21-year-old has even recorded a victory over the former world number one. They played each other in the third round at last year’s French Open. Kenin won the match 6-2 7-5. The world number seventh was the highest-ranked American during Team USA’s victory over Latvia in the Fed Cup qualifiers. Serena is currently ninth on the rankings. The 23-time Grand Slam champion is an inspiration to many young players. Apart from Kenin, Coco Gauff has stated that she has always looked up to the former world number one.

Serena has maintained a good relationship with the younger players even after they have recorded victories against her in several Grand Slam finals. She has grown close to Naomi Osaka following her controversial US Open final in 2018. The two have spent time together and recently, Osaka referred to the 38-year-old as her tennis mom. Bianca Andreescu has also expressed her adoration for Serena. The 19-year-old defeated her idol at the US Open final last year to claim her first Grand Slam title. On her part, Serena says she is now used to the veteran role. “It’s always super exciting to play among the future of tennis, to know that it’s going to be a really strong flag they’re carrying.”

 

 

Serena Williams’s ranking and performance in 2020

Serena Williams Stats info

Now the world no.9, the American played her last match on the 8th of February when she capitulated to Anastasija Sevastova 7-65 3-6 7-64 in the Rubber 4 in Fed Cup.

Presently, this year Serena has a 8-2 win-loss record. Serena Williams has won 1 title in Auckland.

Sofia Kenin’s ranking and performance in 2020

Sofia Kenin Stats info

At the moment ranked no.7 (career-high), Kenin played her last match on the 8th of February when she surrendered to Jelena Ostapenko 6-3 2-6 6-2 in the Rubber 3 in Fed Cup.

This season Kenin has a 10-3 win-loss record. Sofia conquered 1 title at the Australian Open.

Serena Williams and Sofia Kenin played each other 1 time. The head to head is 1-0 for Kenin.

The last time that they played each other, Sofia Kenin won 6-2 7-5 in the 3rd round in Paris (French Open) in June 2019.

Serena Williams and Sofia Kenin

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