In her nascent tennis career, tennis player Leylah Fernandez has had highs and lows. The 22-year-old took some time to consider how she has changed over this turbulent time.
The Canadian shot to fame in the 2021 US Open final, defeating top seeds like Elina Svitolina and Aryna Sabalenka on her way to the championship match. Despite losing to an unbeaten Emma Raducanu, Fernandez made her WTA debut and has been a mainstay on the circuit ever since.
The Montreal native advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Hong Kong Open after defeating Australian Kimberly Birrell. Fernandez has achieved significant success, guiding Canada to the Billie Jean King Cup championship and rising to a career-high ranking of No. 13 in the world rankings.
Fernandez, however, acknowledged that she still had a lot to learn and refused to sit on her laurels.
“The progression as a player hasn’t been straightforward, with a lot of ups and downs,” remarked the Canadian athlete. I didn’t want my game to alter in some ways, but I had to keep developing and learning. I’ve gained greater insight into who I am as a person and what I hope to achieve on the court as a result of those experiences.
“Yes, I am