News & Features

Sofia Kenin had to get through the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds last week to win the USTA Girls 14 Super Nationals in Peachtree City, Ga., but it brought the best out in the 13-year-old from Pembroke Pines, Fla.

Kenin won the title. It was her sixth career USTA Gold Ball in singles and doubles.

"There was very tough competition, many great girls from California and other states, but I knew I could win it," Kenin said. "I really wanted to win this tournament, so I just went over there and did what my dad told me to do, and it worked."

The strategy of her father and coach, Alex Kenin, included moving well on the court, mixing up the pace, finishing balls out of the air and maintaining her composure through the match.

Against No. 2 seed Raquel Pedraza in the final, Kenin's father told her not to get upset if Pedraza would be serving aces. Just hold your own serve. Sofia was aced several times, but she never lost her own serve. She won 6-1, 6-4.

"She was tough in the proper moment," Alex Kenin said. "She brought her best game to the final. It was a very tough match. There were five match points in the closing game, going back and forth. She stayed through it without losing her composure."