Sofia Kenin in Tears as Injury Threatens Japan Open Final

Sofia Kenin faced an emotional setback just one day before her anticipated Japan Open final due to an injury that has left her singles match in jeopardy. The American tennis star was visibly upset on Saturday after her participation in the tournament was called into question.

Kenin had demonstrated impressive form throughout the tournament, securing significant victories over Daria Kasatkina and Katie Boulter to earn a spot in the final against top seed Qinwen Zheng. This match holds special significance for Kenin, who has not claimed a WTA singles title since the Lyon Open more than four years ago.

However, during the women's doubles semi-final, where she teamed up with Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Kenin encountered trouble. The pair was trailing 5-2 against Laura Siegemund and Ena Shibahara when Kenin made the tough decision to withdraw from the match, realizing she could not continue. This moment was particularly heartbreaking, as it not only eliminated her from the doubles competition but also cast doubt on her ability to compete in the singles final the following day.

As the realization sank in that her chances of winning another title were slipping away, Kenin couldn't hold back her tears on the court. Meanwhile, Siegemund and Shibahara advanced without further contest. If the singles final does take place, Kenin will need to summon her best performance to challenge Zheng, who currently ranks seventh in the world, while Kenin has fallen to outside the top 150.

Kenin’s injury and ongoing struggles on the court highlight a challenging period for her career. Once a rising star, she reached a career-high ranking of fourth in March 2020 after an extraordinary 18 months, which included five WTA Tour titles and an Australian Open victory. However, since then, her performance has dwindled, culminating in a disappointing run where she has not reached a quarter-final since last September in Guadalajara.

The path to the Japan Open final came as a surprise to many, especially following her recent first-round exits at the Japan Women’s Open and the Wuhan Open. These setbacks have contributed to what has been a frustrating season for Kenin, reflecting her struggle to regain the form that once made her a formidable competitor on the WTA Tour.

As Kenin prepares for the potential final against Zheng, her situation remains uncertain. The injury casts a shadow over what could be a pivotal moment in her career. Should she be unable to compete, it would mark yet another setback in a year filled with challenges for the young American.

The tennis community will be closely watching to see if Kenin can overcome her injury and take to the court for the final, hoping for a triumphant return to form. Regardless of the outcome, Kenin’s journey at the Japan Open has already been a testament to her resilience and determination to fight through adversity.