Meeting with Tyson, exhibition against Gauff… Sofia Kenin prepares for return to the tour

The former Australian Open champion has not played on the tour since Indian Wells in March and is now ranked outside the top 400 in the world

Sofia Kenin; Credit: Zuma / Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

July 26, 2022

Former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin has been working hard for her return to the tour next week. The American returned to the tennis courts for the first time since March, playing against compatriot Coco Gauff in an exhibition match in Atlanta.

The 23-year-old Kenin, who has been sidelined by a foot injury since Indian Wells, was defeated by Gauff 6-1, 6-2 in her first match since the injury.

Despite the loss, Kenin, who was in a cast a few months ago, was grateful to have the opportunity to compete on the court once again.

“Unfortunate to have that injury, but I’m glad to be back, and it was a fun match, Coco,” Kenin said according the Atlanta Journal Construction. “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.”

We have an #AusOpen champ on the grounds.

Welcome to Atlanta, @SofiaKenin! pic.twitter.com/HXwnbGdhzW
— Atlanta Open 🎾 (@ATLOpenTennis) July 25, 2022

This was the second women’s exhibition match being played along with the ATP Atlanta Open. Gauff won the first one on Sunday, beating countrywoman Taylor Townsend. Last week, Kenin met with former boxing champion MIke Tyson and practiced with his daughter Milan Tyson.

Sofia Kenin, who is now ranked No 419 in the world, makes her return to the WTA Tour at next week’s Citi Open in Washington DC.

The American did not play in 2021 after Wimbledon due to an injury and then later testing positive for COVID-19. When she returned in January, she reached the quarter-finals in Adelaide, losing to top-ranked Ash Barty. Since then, Kenin lost her opening round match in her next five events, the last of which was at Indian Wells.

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