Sofia Kenin exited the Dubai Tennis Championships in the first round

Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin is in Dubai where a new initiative will be trialled.

The WTA recently allowed player coaching from the box and this is being tested at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Kenin was one of the favourites to win the title, after her Australian Open success. However, things didn’t go her way in the end.

The American shared her views on the rule change. She also suggested she was going to try it:

“I mean I will. I want to see how it is going to work. But, I think they are trying it for this week, I think.”

“What the players like, what everyone thinks about it. I’m not too focused on that. I am just focused on myself and playing my best game.”

Many have exploited the coaching rule in the past. However, it will be interesting to see how things go between the players in the coming weeks.

Kenin not the only big name to struggle in Dubai

Elena Rybakina produced a shock by knocking Kenin out in the first round. Kenin lost the match in three sets and it seems the coaching bit didn’t help her.

One of the others shocks of the 2020 competition was the exit of former champion Belinda Bencic.

Simona Halep, Garbine Muguruza and Aryna Sabalenka are some of the top players remaining in the championships.

The men’s competition will also start in a few weeks. That has some big names on show, and it will be interesting to see who comes out on top there.

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