Bizarre News & Florida Man · Hank Morrison · 30 August 2026

Sofia Kenin on facing Venus Williams at the 2026 US Open

Sofia Kenin on facing Venus Williams at the 2026 US Open

Sofia Kenin meets Venus Williams in a first-round US Open night match on Arthur Ashe Stadium—two American Grand Slam champions in a 2026 draw that also includes Jasmine Paolini. Kenin told Tennis Now she is excited to face an icon she watched growing up, while oddsmakers heavily favor the 2020 Australian Open winner over the 46-year-old wild card.

Sunday's opener pits 110th-ranked Kenin against seven-time major champion Williams in their first tour-level singles meeting. Both Americans earned wild cards and headline ESPN's 9 p.m. ET slot on Aug. 30 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Key Takeaways

Why Does the Kenin–Venus US Open Match Matter?

Richard Pagliaro's Tennis Now Q&A captures why the pairing "pops off the page." Two American Grand Slam champions, electric night-match energy, and home-court support make it a showcase for U.S. tennis.

Kenin called Venus "such an icon, a legend" alongside Serena and said the clash will be "really nice, fun, exciting" for American fans. Their only prior meeting came years ago in World TeamTennis—a format Kenin said is "totally different" from a major-stage duel.

Kenin, 27, is chasing a season reboot after pushing 2025 Wimbledon finalist Amanda Anisimova to a third-set tiebreak in July. Venus, bidding for revival 25 years after her last US Open title, has not won a Grand Slam singles match since Wimbledon 2021.

What Did Kenin Say About Her Drop Shot Against Venus?

Kenin is known for sharp line redirects and soft droppers, skills she honed on her lifelong Babolat Pure Drive—the same frame Andy Roddick made famous. At a Babolat exhibition in Long Island City on Aug. 29, her first shot was a drop shot.

Asked whether she would use the tactic against a 46-year-old opponent, Kenin was candid: "Venus is not going to give me many opportunities. She hits flat and can hit deep." She plans to build points normally and deploy the dropper only when the opening appears.

Kenin traced her finesse to practice and instinct, joking that she and fellow Babolat star Carlos Alcaraz "find a way" to touch the ball despite power-oriented frames. When locked in—like her fearless 2020 Australian Open final—she said adrenaline makes "everything just clicks."

Who Do Bettors Favor in Williams vs. Kenin?

Oddsmakers see a mismatch on paper. Sports Illustrated lists Kenin at -720 and Venus at +463 on DraftKings, with the total set at 19.5 games. SI's Peter Dewey projects Kenin winning in straight sets and recommends the under, noting Venus lasted only 16 to 18 games in her last three singles matches.

Last Word On Sports offers a contrarian angle: Venus is 0-9 on hard courts in 2026 and Kenin is 2-11 overall, but Kenin "does not win matches easily." The site flags Venus +6 games as a value play because Williams likely will not get crushed even if she loses.

How Are Kenin and Venus Building Toward Flushing Meadows?

Kenin has not passed the US Open second round since a 2020 fourth-round run and exited early at all three 2026 majors before Wimbledon. Venus has been a first-round US Open exit in her last four appearances and lost opening matches at the 2026 Australian and French Opens.

Still, Kenin thrives on defying doubters—from upsetting Serena Williams 6-2, 7-5 at 2019 Roland Garros to saving set points against world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty in the 2020 Australian Open semifinals. She told Tennis Now New York fans are "always behind my back," and she loves the Big Apple energy.

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