National Girls & Women in Sports Day: Sofia Kenin's inspiring dream

If there was a poster for National Girls and Women in Sports Day, it might well feature 2020 Australian Open women’s singles champion Sofia Kenin, whose stellar success as both a young girl—and now a young woman—in tennis is as inspiring as it is impressive.

Kenin’s recent Melbourne title also earned her the distinction of becoming the No. 1-ranked American woman. And by becoming the youngest American to win a Grand Slam singles title since Serena Williams in 2002, the 21-year-old improved her WTA ranking to a career high of No. 7.

"My dream has officially come true," the Floridian said after she received her Aussie Open trophy from former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport (pictured above), having capped a remarkable run through the Melbourne draw with a terrific three-set triumph over two-time major champ Garbiñe Muguruza. "If you have a dream, go for it, because it can come true."

Kenin’s dream began taking shape at a very young age, as evidenced by this video from the WTA’s archives. Something of a child prodigy, Kenin, who was born in Moscow but whose family moved to Florida just months afterward, was introduced to the spotlight early on. At the age of 6, she met tennis stars Kim Clijsters and Andy Roddick at the Miami Masters, where Clijsters gave her a backstage tour of the event.

“It’s nice to meet the future of tennis. Who knows, she could be one of the future stars,” said a prophetic Clijsters. “She is also a very beautiful and cool little girl.”

One year later, Kenin began playing USTA tournaments at the 10-and-under level. She won the under-10 ‘Little Mo’ Nationals in Austin, Texas, and rose to the No. 1 ranking in the state of Florida for that age group.

In her dazzling junior career, Kenin, held the national No. 1 ranking in every age group: 12s, 14s, 16s and 18s. She reached a high of junior world No. 2 in the ITF Rankings in 2015, behind an impressive trophy haul in many of the most prestigious USTA junior events throughout the country. In girls’ 18s singles competition, Kenin won the 2014 Orange Bowl, the 2015 International Spring Championships and the 2015 USTA Girls’ 18s National Championships, in addition to a finalist finish at the 2015 Junior US Open. 

Kenin has represented Team USA at various levels throughout her young career, beginning at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics. Soon after, she was a part of the 2014 Junior Fed Cup-winning team, captained by Kathy Rinadi. Rinaldi, the current senior Fed Cup captain, later called on her former pupil for her senior debut in the 2018 Fed Cup Finals in Prague, Czech Republic. Kenin earned her first senior win in thrilling fashion when she clinched victory for Team USA over Switzerland in 2019.

Her 2019 season also included three WTA singles titles (including her first career WTA trophy, in Hobart, Australia) and ended at the WTA Finals. She finished the year with yet another honor, being named the WTA “Most Improved Player of the Year.”

Kenin’s star rose even higher with her Australian Open triumph in January, which included a semifinal victory over world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty in addition to her final win over Muguruza.

Next up, Kenin will once again don the Red, White and Blue as she represents the U.S. at Fed Cup in Everett, Wash., from Feb. 7-8, alongside Serena Williams, Coco Gauff, Alison Riske and Bethanie Mattek-Sands.

“I love representing the U.S. I just love it. It's an honor,” she said of the occasion. "Everything is coming into place, a dream come true. Everything I've done, all the hard work I've been doing is paying off... I feel like I'm doing some great things for American tennis. It's such an honor."

Though she is still just 21, Kenin already has put together a most impressive resume—at every stage and on every stage in her young career. And just as she was inspired by Roddick and Clijsters as a young girl, she now serves as an inspiration for girls and young women throughout this country and, without doubt, throughout the world. She is the perfect poster subject—not just for this very important day, but for the very real power of pursuing a dream.