Leylah Fernandez describes the 2021 US Open as “an incredible few weeks,” but after her explosive rise to the top of tennis that took her to that final, the Canadian has struggled to consistently show her best level. “Accepting that I wouldn’t always play so well required a lot of mental work,” she admitted.
Fernandez revealed that at times, she wonders what her life would have been like had she won the final against Emma Raducanu, after defeating great champions like Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, Elina Svitolina, and Aryna Sabalenka. However, she prefers to leave the past behind. “I use the feelings of disappointment and anger as motivation to find positive emotions and keep searching for solutions,” she confessed to CLAY in this interview that took place in Melbourne during the Australian Open.
Although she has consistently stayed within the top 50 in the world, it wasn’t until Roland Garros 2022 that she surpassed the fourth round of a Grand Slam again.
Fernandez talks about life after fame as a teenager, the expectations around her tennis, and the potential of her generation. “I see the future in good hands,” she said after reflecting on players like Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Mirra Andreeva.
Interview with Leylah Fernández– Is women’s tennis experiencing a boom?
– I hope so, and not just women’s tennis but all women’s sports. Hopefully, we can keep improving and attracting more people. When we play well and the stands are full, different personalities emerge among female athletes that transcend sports, just like what’s happening now with the WNBA. In tennis, young players are showing more character, bringing different strengths to the game, which is exciting for the audience.
– Since you mentioned the WNBA, who would be the Caitlin Clark or Angel Reese of tennis?
– It’s hard to say because there are so many players, and I don’t want to put that pressure on them. But obviously, I see players like Coco (Gauff), (Iga) Swiatek, and even (Aryna) Sabalenka, who is an amazing player. (Mirra) Andreeva and (Diana) Shnaider are also making their mark in Grand Slams. I don’t think we can name just one player as the “Caitlin Clark” of tennis. Every tournament is different, every week is different. One week, it might be one player, and the next, another.
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– You are also part of this new generation. Do you think this group of players will define an era in a few years?
– It’s really interesting that Iga and Coco have already won big tournaments and have been in the Top 10 for a long time. They are incredible players, and there are also younger ones winning important matches and going deeper into tournaments. These are players who are hungry to make their mark. Mirra is an outstanding player with a unique style, part defensive, part offensive. Diana Shnaider, as a lefty, is very difficult to play against because she attacks relentlessly and defends well. I see the future of women’s tennis in good hands.
– Why do you think you haven’t achieved what Gauff and Swiatek have despite your explosive rise in 2021?
– Everyone has their own path, and I’m very happy with mine because I had to fight, work hard, and build my way up with my family and team. Along the way, I was able to improve my character and my game. Some players take different routes, achieving results at a young age by making the most of a wildcard or a favorable draw in big tournaments. That involves luck but also a lot of hard work. Luck is just 2% of the equation. I believe different paths inspire young players to follow their own journeys. If there were only one way to succeed, we would have a hundred world No. 1s. These varied paths create different stories that motivate future generations.
– It’s been four years since the 2021 US Open, where you reached the final after navigating a brutal draw. What has been the hardest mark to erase from that tournament?
– During those two spectacular weeks in New York, I learned that when I play really well and feel the ball perfectly, anything is possible. I also realized how much I love playing tennis in a packed stadium and putting on a great show for the fans. That feeling is amazing.
– Do you ever feel like you are repeating that level of play?
– Yes, at times. It’s difficult to feel that kind of rhythm in every match, so I had to learn to accept that some days I won’t feel the ball as well or won’t move at 100% like I did during those two weeks. Accepting that I wouldn’t always play that well was a big mental task. But I also learned to focus on finding solutions instead of dwelling on problems. There are moments throughout the year when I feel fantastic and believe anything is possible, and other weeks when I know something isn’t quite working.
– Do you ever think about how your life would have changed if you had won the title in New York?
– There are moments when I think about it, but most of the time, I leave it in the past because I can’t change the outcome. If I changed that result, then I would have to change everything else that followed, and suddenly I’m world No. 1. It’s impossible. The only thing I can do is accept reality and use feelings of disappointment and frustration as motivation to find positive emotions and keep looking for solutions.
– At 22, you’ve had a career full of ups and downs. How have you worked on your mental strength?
– Sometimes, I’m too kind as a person, so I need to work a bit more on my mental toughness. I have a psychologist I speak with every week. With my coach, who is also my father, we work on the mental side of the game on the court, adding extra pressure in training so that matches feel easier. I believe mental training is crucial, and I think young athletes should invest more time and energy into it. High-performance sports are stressful, and the pressure is immense, but if we learn to manage it, it helps a lot. I hope my story and those of other athletes encourage young players not just to train physically but also to strengthen their minds.
– What do you do outside of tennis to maintain mental balance?
– Tennis is incredibly important to me, but I know it isn’t my whole life, and it won’t last forever. That’s why I think beyond the court. I have my sisters’ support, and whenever I get home, we always go out and do something fun. They help me disconnect.
– You also started a foundation almost three years ago. Where does the Leylah Annie & Family Foundation stand today?
– The foundation is growing. Every year, we try to help more families in the U.S. and Latino communities so that kids can continue chasing their dreams. We are looking for ways to expand and assist people in South America as soon as possible.
– It’s unusual for a 19-year-old to start a foundation…
– I always wanted to be a tennis player, but when I started playing more international tournaments, I saw how hard it was for my parents to support both me and my sister financially. That’s when I started talking to my dad about what we could do to help others, and the idea for the foundation was born.
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