Has there been a more significant fall from grace in women's tennis in the past three years than that of Sofia Kenin?
There are several candidates to consider for that unwanted accolade, but Kenin might rank higher than everyone else. But the beautiful thing about sports is the power of second chances. Kenin takes all the glory in how she has turned her fortunes around.
The 2020 Australian Open was expected to usher in a new era in women's tennis. As one falling champion - Serena Wiliams - was on the precipice of exiting the stage, Kenin looked capable of taking over after a stunning fortnight saw her emerge as Grand Slam champion.
But that success under the bright Melbourne lights proved to be something of a false dawn. Two years after that career-altering achievement, Kenin's career was virtually in the pits, with her ranking stooping to as low as 426th.
At one point, her form was so appalling that she went to play a W80 ITF event and suffered an ignominious semifinal defeat. But it is easy to forget that she dealt with a severe ankle malady that put her on the treatment table for five months in 2022.
It was a horrible year on so many levels, and Kenin was most certainly looking ahead when she returned in August last year. Eventually, she was able to start her career on a clean slate in 2023 and played like a woman with a point to prove.
Kenin put together the third-best season of her career, winning 22 of 39 matches (two of which came against Top 10 players), and reached her first final since 2020 at the San Diego Open. She made the semis at the WTA 1000 in Guadalajara, hauling her ranking to inside the Top 40.
Within 24 months, she has rekindled her career, and her resurgent year could be the making of her season in 2024. As a testament to her progress, the 25-year-old regained her country's trust and was selected for the USA team that played at the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Seville.
Kenin, ranked 33rd in the world rankings, is now within touching distance of a seeding spot at the Australian Open again. Who would dare have predicted it?
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