Sofia Kenin’s Stunning Comeback: How the Former Grand Slam Champion Is Reclaiming the Tennis Spotlight in 2025

Lead American tennis star Sofia Kenin arrives at Roland Garros 2025 determined to turn curiosity about her comeback into a headline-stealing run. The 2020 Australian Open champion and French Open finalist is seeded No. 31 this fortnight—her highest Slam seeding in three years—after piecing together a quietly consistent clay-court swing. H2 – From Grand Slam Glory to Fighting Form Kenin’s rapid rise in 2020 was followed by coaching changes, injuries and a slide outside the world’s top 100. A rebuilt team, greater fitness and smarter scheduling have helped her climb back into the Top 40, with semifinal points in Charleston and a Miami quarterfinal fueling belief that the 25-year-old can contend again. H2 – Opening Statement in Paris In round 1 the Floridian dispatched Varvara Gracheva in straight sets, striking 24 winners and winning 73 % of first-serve points to silence early upset talk. The victory marked Kenin’s first main-draw win at Roland Garros since reaching the final in 2020. H2 – Shot-Making and Match-Ready Numbers Key 2025 clay-season stats • First-serve percentage: 64 % • Break-points saved: 68 % • Backhand winners per match: 11.2 • Return games won: 41 % Those metrics underline a player who thrives in baseline exchanges and relishes the slower red dirt. H2 – Blockbuster Round-2 Clash vs Victoria Azarenka Next up is two-time major champion Victoria Azarenka, a matchup many analysts have circled as Day 5’s must-watch duel. Oddsmakers list the encounter as a virtual toss-up, though some pundits label Kenin an upset candidate to fall, citing Azarenka’s power off both wings. What to watch: • Kenin’s depth on the backhand return against Azarenka’s 110 mph serve. • Transition game—Kenin has won 68 % of points inside the baseline this clay season. • Mental edge—Kenin leads their head-to-head 2-1, including a 2023 three-set win in Rome. H2 – Ranking & WTA Storyline Implications A passage to the second week would vault Kenin back into the Top 25 and tighten the American race behind Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula. More broadly, her resurgence injects fresh unpredictability into a draw already missing several seeded stalwarts. H2 – Takeaway Sofia Kenin may no longer surprise opponents with her court craft, but her ability to peak at majors is undisputed. If the serve holds and the backhand remains laser-sharp, the 2020 finalist could rewrite her Roland Garros story and remind the tennis world why she once stood among the game’s elite.