Australian Open: Sofia Kenin - Not up to the pressure of defending the title
Defending championSofia Kenin had to say goodbye in the second round of the Australian Open 2021 - and after her early retirement admitted that she was not up to the pressure.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit:
Feb 12, 2021, 04:39 am

She had already indicated at the press conference before the start of the Australian Open that Sofia Kenin should finally break out after her clear second-round defeat against Kaia Kanepi: The pressure of defending the title was simply closed for the 22-year-old American large.
Last year Kenin had convinced with determined and fearless tennis - you can remember her impressive mini comeback at 2-2, 0:40 in the third set of last year's final against Garbine Muguruza - the world number four looked insecure from the start this year .
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In the first match against wildcard owner Maddison Inglis, Kenin prevailed in two tight sets thanks to the great difference in quality in play, but against Kanepi it was over after about an hour. She did not have her nerves under control, said the fourth in the world rankings after the 3: 6 and 2: 6 bankruptcy.
No further plans with Kenin yet
"I'm not 100 percent on it. I knew that I couldn't handle this pressure. I'm obviously not used to it," continued Kenin, who like Gael Monfils burst into tears after his first round . The expectations from outside were too high after their triumph of the previous year.
In the press conference, Kenin was not yet able to answer how things will go on for them. In the next two weeks there will be two more WTA tournaments "Down Under". Given the pressure Kenin felt from the events in Australia, an immediate trip home could be on the agenda.
Here is the women's individual table at the Australian Open