After a year of uncertainty, which saw the tennis season disrupted as never before, Sofia Kenin was voted 2020’s WTA Player of the Year. The young American had a great year and no doubt deserved this prestigious award to add to her collection. She won her first career Grand Slam title and reached a new career-high ranking in singles, producing the best tennis of her young career despite the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
2020 achievements
At the beginning of the year, Kenin shocked the whole world when she won the Australian Open title. The American, then seeded 14th, enjoyed a memorable run in Melbourne, scoring notable wins over Coco Gauff, Ons Jabeur and world #1 Ashleigh Barty to reach the final. There, she came back from a set down to beat Garbine Muguruza, dismantled the Spaniard in the last two sets to win the first Grand Slam title of her career.
She went on to play in the inaugural Lyon Open, defeating Anna-Lena Friedsam in three sets in the final, making her the first WTA player to win titles in 2020 and showcasing her dominant form on the court. She continued her fine form after the season resumed, making the round of 16 at the US Open and the final at Roland Garros (lost to Iga Swiatek). That made her one of only two players, alongside Petra Kvitova, to reach the second week at all three Grand Slams this season.
Her efforts were enough to see her finish the year at a career-high ranking of world #4. That made her the highest-ranked American as she ended the year above the likes of Serena Williams, Madison Keys, Jennifer Brady, Alison Riske, and Amanda Anisimova and Sloane Stephens in the WTA standings.
Kenin has room for growth
Unquestionably, Kenin has still room for growth. She is just 22-years-old and has a bright future ahead of her if she continues to work hard. She had already established herself on hard courts and this year she also proved that she is a force to be reckoned with on the clay. Adding to that is her great record as a doubles player, which has surely helped her in her singles matches. Make no mistake, Kenin is deservedly the best WTA Player of 2020 and it would not be a surprise to see her continue where she left off in 2020.
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