Kenin Glad To Be Back After 'Fun' Exhibition Match Against Gauff

Thursday, 28 July 2022 at 00:00

Updated at Monday, 26 August 2024 at 14:44

byJordan Reynolds

Sofia Kenin stepped onto the court for the first time since March in an exhibition match with Coco Gauff, and she was happy to return, even though she has a long road back to full match fitness.

Kenin had not played since the Miami Open due to a foot injury. That issue left the American on crutches for an extended period and ruled her out of the entire clay and grass court seasons.

The 2020 Australian Open champion's first scheduled WTA tournament appearance in over four months is at the Citi Open. Many great players, including Venus Williams, are on the Citi Open entry list.

Kenin had some match practice before that event in her exhibition contest against Gauff at the Atlanta Open. Facing the French Open runner-up in her first match in months would always be challenging.

Unsurprisingly, the 23-year-old did not come close to defeating Gauff. The teenager quickly defeated Kenin 6-1, 6-2 after a one-sided contest, although there were still some good rallies for the fans to enjoy.

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Kenin should not judge herself harshly in her first match back, and she sounded positive in her interview afterward. The 2020 French Open runner-up was grateful to play at the event in front of a large crowd.

"Unfortunate to have that injury, but I’m glad to be back, and it was a fun match, Coco. I’m glad to have been here. I love the crowd and the support and I’m super excited to be back, grateful. I’m just thankful for a lot of things. Because like you said, I was in a cast and now I’m playing so I’m just thankful”.

Gauff and Kenin can now focus on the North American hardcourt season. Due to the latter's injury issues, Gauff's expectations will be higher than Kenin's, but the older American could surprise people.