NEW YORK (REUTERS) – American Sofia Kenin has been named WTA Participant of the Yr after profitable her maiden Grand Slam singles title on the Australian Open.
Kenin defeated World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty within the semi-finals and twice Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza within the remaining to say the title at Melbourne Park.
Kenin additionally reached the French Open remaining and completed the season ranked a career-high No. 4.
The 22-year-old is the eighth American to win the WTA Participant of the Yr accolade, becoming a member of Serena Williams, Martina Navratilova, Lindsay Davenport, Tracy Austin, Chris Evert, Venus Williams and Jennifer Capriati.
Iga Swiatek, who turned the primary Polish participant to win a Grand Slam singles title when she beat Kenin within the French Open remaining, was named the WTA’s Most Improved Participant of the Yr.
Former world primary Victoria Azarenka was named WTA Comeback Participant of the Yr after she claimed her first title in over 4 years on the Western & Southern Open and superior to her fifth profession Grand Slam remaining on the US Open. The Belarusian additionally regained her spot within the WTA High 20.
France’s Kristina Mladenovic and Hungary’s Timea Babos have been voted the WTA’s doubles duo of the 12 months after capturing the Australian Open and Roland Garros titles.
