Sofia Kenin faces calls to leave father Alex Kenin after tense scenes before Australian Open | International Sports News
Sofia Kenin is once again at the center of attention, but this time it is not just about her tennis. The former Australian Open champion is facing growing calls from fans to move away from her father and coach, Alex Kenin, ahead of the Australian Open 2026. The discussion grew louder after Kenin’s second-round loss to Ekaterina Alexandrova at the Brisbane International. She lost the match 7-6(2), 6-3. While the scoreline was close, much of the attention shifted to the stands. Cameras caught Alex Kenin showing clear frustration during the match. His reactions were visible as the momentum slipped away from his daughter.Fans watching the match felt the energy from the box was heavy. Many said it was hard to see Sofia Kenin playing freely with that pressure around her. With the Australian Open only weeks away, the timing of these concerns has made the debate stronger.Kenin, now 27, has mostly been coached by her father throughout her career. She trained under Rick Macci from age five to twelve. Apart from a short coaching split in 2021, Alex Kenin has remained by her side on tour.
Why fans believe Sofia Kenin needs a new voice instead of father Alex Kenin
After the Brisbane match, social media quickly filled with reactions. One fan wrote, “Kenin’s dad threw a water bottle in anger after a double fault. I feel bad that she has to be around that kind of energy all the time.”Another fan believed change could help her rise again, saying, “The day Sofia Kenin moves on from her dad as coach, she will be back. She is already close.”Some fans pointed to her past success and felt the split should have happened earlier. One comment read, “She should have made the change after winning the Australian Open in 2020.” Others disagreed and noted that Kenin struggled during her earlier coaching switch and later returned to her father.The discussion grew stronger after earlier moments in 2025. During the Abu Dhabi Open, Alex Kenin was caught on camera making a rude hand gesture. The clip spread quickly online and added to the criticism.On the court, Sofia Kenin’s results have been mixed. She finished runner-up at the Charleston Open last year, her best run in recent seasons. She also reached the main draw in Abu Dhabi through qualifying but lost to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in straight sets.Sofia Kenin once reached World No. 4 in 2020. After an early exit in Melbourne last year, she now looks ahead to 2026, hoping to reset both her tennis and her team.Also Read: Coco Gauff And Jalen Sera Combined Net Worth In 2025: Tennis Earnings, Career, Endorsements, Love Life, Lifestyle And Investments
