Sofia Kenin's Tennis Gear - What Does She Use?

Sofia Kenin also named Sonya is a Russian-born American professional tennis player and one of the few Americans to win a Grand Slam in recent years along with Sloane Stevens.

She made the achievement in 2020 at the Australian Open beating home favorite Ashleigh Barty and Spanish Garbiñe Muguruza to win the title.

Today, she seems like losing her touch on the courts as she drops outside of the Top 100 after ranking no. 4 in the world in 2020.

Nevertheless, she can still bounce back to her best level to win more than the 5 titles she has.

For playing style, she is an aggressive baseliner and one of the few female players using variations in her shots. For example, she has a great backhand slice and can disguise the directions of the shots effectively.

So, what does Sofia Kenin use for tennis equipment to play good tennis?

Sofia Kenin’s tennis gear is:

Racquet: Babolat Pure Drive
Strings: Babolat Hybrid RPM Blast 17 + Touch VS 16

Shoes: Fila Axilus 2.0 Energized
Bag: Babolat Pure Drive RH x12

Sofia Kenin’s Racquet

Sofia Kenin’s racquet is the Babolat Pure Drive.

It is endorsed by many pros on the circuit like Fabio Fognini or Garbine Muguruza.

The Pure Drive was introduced back in 1994 by Babolat to offer lots of power and feel for aggressive players.

The main feature of the new Babolat Pure Drive is the HTR technology standing for High Torsional Rigidity. This allows the racquet to be more stable and to generate explosive winners.

SWX PureFeel technology is incorporated in the lay-up of the racquet, for unique vibration dampening and filtering. It adds an incredible feel and a sweet sound on the strike. You can just watch some Fabio Fognini winners for pleasure!

In addition, the racquet swing speed is one of the lightest helping for better swing speed and power generation. The racquet is stiff with a score of 71.

No wonder why the Babolat Pure Drive line sold the most racquets for the French manufacturer. It is the choice of many players who seek smashing power and a great feel for the shots.

Racquet Specs

Head size	100 in² / 645.16 cm²
Length	27in / 68.58cm
Unstrung weight	10.6 oz / 300 g
Strung Weight	11.2oz / 318g
String Tension	50-59 lbs
Balance	4 pts HL / 12.99in
Stiffness	71
Swingweight	320
Swing speed	Medium-Fast
Power Level	Low-Medium
String Pattern	16×19

Sofia Kenin’s Racquet Strings

Sonya Kenin likes to string her racquet with the Babolat Hybrid RPM Blast 17 + Touch VS 16 strings.

It is a hybrid poly setup made from a combination of both the RPM Blast 17g (1.25mm) used by players like Rafa Nadal and The natural gut Touch VS 16g (1.30mm).

This combo provides everything a tennis player needs in a racquet.

The RPM Blast component offers massive spin and control
The Touch VS component provides power and feel as natural gut is the most comfortable on the hands.

Overall, this is an interesting string setup, not used by many players on the circuit, but perfect for having everything you need in your racquet.

Sofia Kenin’s Tennis Shoes

Sofia Kenin’s tennis shoes are the Fila Axilus 2.0 Energized.

These shoes are lightweight, supportive, and comfortable. They are also a heaven for women with wider feet.

Also worn by stars like Barty or Pliskova, the shoes are cushioned and sturdy for stability and comfort.

The upper is lightweight, breathable, and features an anti-slide nylon lining for stability and support.
The midsole is made from Energized rubber cushioning for foot support and shock absorption.
The outsole is a durable and performant rubber backed by a 6-month guarantee, offering amazing traction.

The shank is and arch-boosting sock liner providing comfort and support. It is one of the best shoes for tennis players suffering from plantar fasciitis.

Overall, just like the Babolat SFX line, this is a good pick for tennis players with wider feet, looking for agility and comfort.