MELBOURNE: It wasnu2019t so long ago that Sofia Keninu2019s father was driving New York taxis and spoke English so poorly that he didnu2019t even know where he was supposed to be going.
These days Alex Kenin, despite starting with close to zero tennis knowledge, is coaching a Grand Slam champion.
Russian- born Alex, an unassuming, grey- haired man with a receding hairline, introduced Sofia to tennis, brought her up around the game and pushed her to achieve the extraordinary u2014 crowned by her victory at the Australian Open on Saturday. Sofia said her u201c crazy smartu201d father had no prior experience of the game but simply picked it up by observing those around him.
u201c Heu2019s seen how all the other coaches have been coaching their players, but he knows everything,u201d Sofia said, after stunning Garbine Muguruza in her first Grand Slam final.
Papa does preach u201c He knows what heu2019s talking about, he really knows it and he comes up with the right plans, the right strategies.u201d If Sofiau2019s achievement is remarkable, it owes a great deal to her father, who was ever- present courtside during her increasingly impressive run through the Melbourne womenu2019s draw. Teenage prodigy Coco Gauff, World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty and, in the final, two- time Major- winner Muguruza all fell victim to tough- as- boots Sofia, who was following strategies drawn up by her wily father. He joins a long list of tennis dads who have produced champions, including Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena, Mike Agassi ( Andre) and Yuri Sharapova ( Maria). But unlike some other fathers, whose influence have been negative, Alex and Sofia, 21, remain close and affectionate.
u201c I really have him to thank.
Weu2019ve been dreaming about thisu2014 itu2019s a dream come true.
He has told me a lot of positive things. He knows exactly what heu2019s talking about. Though I donu2019t like to admit it sometimes, to tell him heu2019s right... he really works hard. We can share this forever,u201d Sofia said.
Alex arrived in New York from what was then the Soviet Union in 1987 with his wife, Lena, and a few hundred dollars in his pocket. He drove a taxi by night and went to English and computer school during the day. u201c I had to work at night, go to school in the morning. Driving in New York, speaking English on the [ taxi] radio. I had no idea what they were saying. But itu2019s amazing the things you do to survive.
Sofia knows and I think it made her tough,u201d said Alex.
Sofiau2019s height issue Sofia clearly had talent from a young age, but they remained outsiders and making it on the tennis circuit was tough. Sofia explained: u201c People overlooked me. I wasnu2019t the tallest kid when I was little. People said, u2018 What are you talking about? Sheu2019s so small. What are you doing? This is a jokeu2019. We didnu2019t have the best things said about me but my dadu2019s been there. He believed in me, didnu2019t listen to that. He could have easily said, okay, and I could have done something [ else].u201d AFP Oz Open champ Sofiau2019s dad Alex had a rough ride! From taxi driver to grand slam- winning coach USAu2019s Sofia Kenin and her father Alex hold the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup on the Yarra River a day after she won the Australian Open in Melbourne. pic/ AP, Pti u2018 I worked at night, went to school in the morning... driving in New York. Itu2019s amazing what you do to survive. Sofia knows and I think it made her toughu2019 Sofia Keninu2019s father Alex
