'Up and down', but grateful: Leylah Fernandez reflects on family, struggles, and growth ahead of Cincinnati Open

Canada’s Leylah Fernandez’s career remains a mystery. For many who have followed her over the years, the 22-year-old continues to divide opinions. Fernandez broke onto the scene in 2021 when she, at the age of just 18, managed to qualify for the final of the US Open. Her journey did not end on a successful note as she lost to Britain’s Emma Raducanu in straight sets. Since then, however, Fernandez has not had an easy ride on the court.

Fernandez recently featured in the ongoing Canadian Open. In the singles category, her journey ended in the first round to Australia’s Maya Joint in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-1. The defeat was a disappointing one for Fernandez, who came to Montreal on the back of winning her first WTA title in two years. She lifted the DC Open in Washington after beating Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 6-2.

Fernandez’s next assignment will be the Cincinnati Open, where she will play her first match of the competition in the round of 64 against the winner of the match between the former world number one Venus Williams and Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. Ahead of her next assignment, Fernandez spoke to WTA’s official website and opened up about the difficult period she and her family faced earlier this year.

Fernandez explained that the difficult time off the court has affected her mental health, which has remained ‘up and down’. However, Fernandez further stated that despite a difficult time off the court earlier this year, she, her family and her coaching team have managed to come out of it and find the ‘right balance’ which is now helping them enjoy their company together.

Impact on mental health

"Mental state’s been a little up and down,” said Fernandez. “My family and I, we went through a bit of a scare earlier this year, and same with my team. I feel like this year we’ve been challenged a lot off the court. Now that we’ve found the balance, things are a lot better. We’re enjoying our time. We're very grateful to be here, and now I'm just excited to be playing the North American swing. It's been a while since I've been back in the U.S. and Canada, so it's great to be playing near home.”

During the same interview, Fernandez was asked about how she would feel facing the former world number one Venus if she manages to beat Bouzas Maneiro in the round of 128. In response to that, Fernandez stated that the match will be an ‘incredible’ one for her, as she has grown up watching the ‘Williams sister’. Fernandez was also of the opinion that she found a lot of similarities between her family and the Williams family.

"Oh man, it's going to be an incredible match if it does happen," said Fernandez. "Venus, she's a legend. She's an icon. Growing up, when I first started playing tennis, people asked me, 'Who did you watch when you were growing up?' I always said Justine Henin and the Williams sisters. I see a lot of similarities between their family and my family. They kind of built the path for us, and if I do have the opportunity to play against her, I'm just gonna be super happy, a little kid living her dream and playing one of her idols."

Fernandez then went on to reveal how Venus was one of the few players who wanted to practice with her at the very beginning of her career. "I thought I was going to be very intimidated, but she was super nice and welcoming," said Fernandez. "She encouraged me, so it was pretty cool."