Transcript: Sofia Kenin def. Amanda Anisimova, 5-2, ret.

Sofia Kenin def. Amanda Anisimova, 5-2, ret.

Semifinals

MODERATOR: Sonya, congrats. You’re through to the final. How are you feeling after this week?

SOFIA KENIN: Yeah. I’m feeling very good with the level that I’ve played throughout the week. It’s unfortunate that Amanda had to retire, but I wish her a speedy recovery, because she’s had a great year. And, yeah, I just wish her the best.

Not the way you want to get there, of course, but just talk about the opportunity in front of you and just what you’re expecting against Jessica. I think you guys have played five times.

SOFIA KENIN: Oh, wow! Five times! That’s interesting. Yeah, I’m looking forward to that match. Actually really happy to be done quite early today, because I’ve always finished so late. It’s always just bed and coming right back. So I’m happy I can kind of recover, enjoy the moment of it. And, yeah, I’m just going to play my game, do what I’m doing this past week, this past year, and we’ll see what happens tomorrow. It’s a great opportunity and definitely looking forward to it.

Do you think to adjust at all just to grind her around, run her around, because she’s played a three-set match. She just went to the finals in Miami. Do you try to take advantage of her fatigue?

SOFIA KENIN: Oh, no. Jess is a machine, so definitely not. I feel like if I would be in that position, my body would be dead and falling apart. So, yeah, I mean, she’s playing great tennis, and she’s used to all of this. So I expect her to be fresh and ready for tomorrow. So, yeah.

She said you’re a tricky player to go up against and that you don’t give away much emotionally. You kind of go from side to side and play your game. Do you see yourself that way? Talk about showing emotion on the court.

SOFIA KENIN: Yeah. I mean, I try to do my best in terms of mentally and not be too like high in my emotions. And, of course, sometimes you get some negative ones, which is normal, but I am trying to balance it out. And, yeah, if I’m walking the way I’m walking as you described, that means it’s good because I’m on a roll, and I’m pretty fast. I think when I look at the clock it’s like two seconds and I’m already ready to return her serve, and the girls are looking at me and like how is she ready. That’s a good problem to have if it’s like that.

And what would it mean to get the title here?

SOFIA KENIN: Of course, it would be amazing. I’m obviously going to do the best I can to get the title. I got here and just going to go for it. But regardless of what happens, I’m really happy with this week and very positive — take every positive thing that I’ve done here. And I think clay season is going to be a good swing. Very excited for it, to be honest.

Sonya, you’re always so dangerous on the clay. Did you set goals coming into this season? We know you’ve been Top 5. You’ve won a major before. But the ranking hasn’t, I think, reflected recently your talent. So how have you sort of tried to see yourself actualizing more success in 2025?

SOFIA KENIN: I mean, obviously I would love to be Top 10, but realistically I’m trying to get seeded for French, because my draws at the Grand Slams have been absolutely not the best. It’s crazy. So I’m really hoping to be seeded, because then I have a guarantee I’m not going to get the worst draw possible. So that would be great. But, yeah, I mean, just play every tournament, do the best I can, which I’m doing, and keep the positive vibe, energy, everything that I’ve been doing in preseason and been transforming it for this year. I’m 34 in my ranking, by the way. Done my homework, thanks to Steve. I told him at Tennis Channel Desk that I’m keeping track. So we’ll see.

Your first clay final since the French Open in 2020. How do you feel like you’ve changed– I mean that’s, what, almost five years ago. How do you feel like you’ve changed as a person off court? What do you feel like you’re older, wiser? What do you feel like?

SOFIA KENIN: I mean, you said it. I mean, I’ve matured. Growing up a bit, you know. It was five years ago. I was kind of like in my head maybe in a different state of mind, but now like I’ve matured. I look up to Jess, Madison Keys, you know. Maybe that’s a bit too — like too mature for me because I feel like they have a lot of life experience. But obviously looking up to them and see the values of life and see how things work. They’re my role models. Of course, a lot of people. Not just them. Not taking anything away from anybody. So, yeah.

Is the joy still there? Is it the same as it was? You talk about those five years. Is the joy still the same for you, hitting a tennis ball, playing matches?

SOFIA KENIN: I mean, last year definitely was hard to have much joy because obviously I’m a full singles player and my singles wasn’t ideal last year. But I think doubles definitely helped me for this year. And this year I tried to just set small goals, tried to climb up the ranks, and at the start of the year the goal was to be seeded at French Open, you know. So I’m very close to achieve that, but I’m not going to put pressure on myself. We’ll see what happens, and if I’m playing the way I’m playing, it’s tough to beat me. So all credits to me.

End of Interview