COVID rules harsh but needed, says Aus Open champ Kenin

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VIDEO SHOWS: NEWS CONFERENCE WITH SOFIA KENIN, FILE FOOTAGE OF SOFIA KENIN AND NOVAK DJOKOVIC POSING WITH AUSTRALIAN OPEN TROPHIES

SHOWS:

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (JANUARY 5, 2021) (WTA/DAZN - NO USE UK AND IRELAND)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) WORLD NUMBER FOUR, SOFIA KENIN, SAYING:

"I mean it is what it is. Of course it's not the most ideal situation. I obviously wish we could go out or you know walk around the city but we can't. I mean, like I said, it is what it is but I'm just happy to be here. I'm happy to be traveling, somehow trying to keep it as normal as possible but yes the rules are quite harsh but it's for everyone. I mean it's crazy what's going on with the whole virus. So, I hope it's going to… they'll find a vaccine and hopefully this virus is going to going to be done."

2. WHITE FLASH

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) WORLD NUMBER FOUR, SOFIA KENIN, SAYING:

"Yes, like you said. It's a warm-up event. I think it's good to have some practice matches in. Hopefully I'll have a few here. But then, yes Australia is going to be interesting; you know, two weeks' quarantine but we'll see how it's going to go there but I mean, yes, I'm excited to be here. It was kind of like a last-minute decision. So, yes a few people ask me like, 'oh why are you going?' I just said, 'just to just to get out of the house I guess and just get some matches in."

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (FILE - FEBRUARY 2, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

4. VARIOUS OF AUSTRALIAN OPEN WOMEN'S FINAL WINNER, SOFIA KENIN WITH TROPHY

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (JANUARY 5, 2021) (WTA/DAZN - NO USE UK AND IRELAND)

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) WORLD NUMBER FOUR, SOFIA KENIN, SAYING:

"I definitely think I can talk to Novak (Djokovic) since, you know, we started talking and we're, you know, we're talking. So, I think that would be helpful, you know, we're both defending champions and I think he would give me some great advice and he did give me great advice ahead of the (2020) final like because obviously we're practicing next to each other and then, you know, he came up to me was really nice about it then, you know, told me some things before the final which was, you know, special since I obviously was crazy nervous and he's, you know, he told me some things which I will not disclose since I'd rather keep it secret."

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (FILE - FEBRUARY 3, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

6. VARIOUS OF 2020 AUSTRALIAN OPEN MEN'S CHAMPION, NOVAK DJOKOVIC POSING WITH AND KISSING TROPHY

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (JANUARY 5, 2021) (WTA/DAZN - NO USE UK AND IRELAND)

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) WORLD NUMBER FOUR, SOFIA KENIN, SAYING:

"I actually don't know. I thought it was going to be like full crowds there but if it's limited, limit it but yeah I played Cincinnati, U.S. Open, it's completely different, you know; the energy, it's like so quiet you're like in a ghost town, you know. It's not the ideal atmosphere of course. I love the fans, I love when they come out and support me. I use their energy to help me. I play better with them obviously. So, yeah I mean I'm going to be super excited to have some kind of crowd, you know, to try to go back to somewhat normal."

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (FILE - FEBRUARY 2, 2020) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

8. KENIN KISSING TROPHY

9. KENIN POSING WITH TROPHY ON RIVER BANK

STORY: Sofia Kenin is excited for the 2021 tennis season to begin even though the COVID-19 restrictions are strict.

The world number four is in a bio-bubble ahead of the Abu Dhabi Open - a WTA 500 event and the first tournament of the year.

Kenin told reporters in a virtual news conference on Tuesday (January 5) that the rules were harsh but needed in order for tournaments to go ahead during the pandemic, adding that she's happy to be able to travel and play some matches.

She is gearing up to defend the Australian Open which was her maiden Grand Slam title a year ago.

Kenin, who broke into the top 10 last year and was named the WTA Player of the Years, said that she will seek advice from world number one Novak Djokovic if she feels the pressure is too much to handle

The 22-year-old, who was also the French Open runner-up, will be among the top seeds in Melbourne when the event gets underway on Feb. 8.

While many tournaments were played last season without crowds due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kenin hopes to see them return in numbers in Melbourne, even if capacity is limited.

(Production: Tim Hart)