Leylah Fernandez reflects on a challenging season filled with injuries and setbacks that have truly tested her resolve.
As the tennis season transitions to hard courts, she is optimistic about overcoming these obstacles.
“This year has been more about challenges than triumphs,” said Fernandez. “I’m grateful to have a supportive team who grounds me and helps me focus on the positives instead of dwelling on worst-case scenarios.”
“Being back at home has lifted my spirits. I’ve started training again after a brief break, and I’m feeling both physically fit and mentally strong.”
Currently ranked 25th in the world, Fernandez has clinched five WTA titles, all on hard surfaces. However, this season has seen her facing challenges with a 12-19 singles record, including a tough 1-4 performance on grass that culminated in a first-round exit at Wimbledon.
The 23-year-old from Laval, Quebec, spoke candidly about grappling with “a few physical issues” early in the season, which complicated her recovery as losses began to accumulate.
“When the wins weren’t coming, it definitely affected my confidence,” she explained during a recent interview from Miami. “There’s been a chain reaction from the start of the season until now. Yet I have emerged from tough phases before in my career and always come out stronger.”
Fernandez has chosen to keep her physical challenges under wraps for now, teasing that there’s an intriguing story waiting to be shared when she’s ready.
Last year, she experienced a similar dip in performance but bounced back dramatically with a D.C. Open victory, defeating notable players like Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina to secure the biggest title of her career.
As she prepares to defend her title at the WTA 500 event in Washington, which begins on Friday, she is also looking forward to competing in the National Bank Open in Toronto from August 1-13.
After a reflective break post-Wimbledon, Fernandez feels rejuvenated and centered, revisiting the roots of her passion for tennis.
“I often return to the foundational reasons why I started playing tennis—asking myself whether this is still my path,” she shared. “Ultimately, I love competing and continuously improving myself.”
Considering her career trajectory, Fernandez acknowledges the pressures of being in the spotlight since her impressive run to the U.S. Open final in 2021. At just 23, she oscillates between feeling she has ample time to achieve her goals and experiencing the urgency to succeed.
“It’s a strange balance, as many say I have time. Yet, I’ve thought that I need to act quickly; after all, careers can span only 10 to 15 years depending on when you begin,” she explained. “On the other hand, a season is lengthy, and maybe I do have time.”
“It’s a tug of war.”
Fernandez remains focused on breaking into the WTA’s top 10—having reached a career-high of No. 13 in August 2022—and winning her first Grand Slam title.
Whenever she feels overwhelmed, she turns to her support system, including her father and coach, Jorge Fernandez, to keep her spirits up.
“There were moments this year when I thought, ‘I don’t have time, I need to improve, I need to win.’ My traveling team helped me recalibrate, saying, ‘Just focus on the process, and the results will follow.’” She hopes to see her hard work pay off soon.
Additionally, she draws strength from Vincent Boily, her boyfriend and a para hockey player who proudly represented Canada at the Milan Cortina Paralympics. Their relationship blossomed after a chance encounter following one of her defeats at the National Bank Open last year.
“It’s unfortunate he witnessed one of my poorer performances,” she chuckled. “But shortly after, he reached out for coffee, and our connection has only grown since. He’s incredibly interesting, funny, and helps me maintain perspective about my journey and performances.”
