Leylah Fernandez, the 22-year-old Canadian tennis star, delivered a candid and unfiltered assessment of her 2025 season during a press conference at the National Bank Open in Montreal, just days after her triumphant run at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C. “You can be honest. You can say the rest of the year hasn’t been great,” she said with a laugh, before adding, “It’s been pretty sh*t, to be honest!” Her blunt honesty captured the frustration of a year marked by early exits and personal challenges, but her commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory over Anna Kalinskaya in the DC Open final on July 27, 2025, signaled a turning point, propelling her back into the spotlight and the WTA top 25.
Fernandez’s 2025 season had been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, with more lows than she’d hoped. Before Washington, her 16-17 record reflected struggles, including a first-round loss at the Queen’s Club Championships, a second-round exit at Wimbledon to Laura Siegemund, and a third-round defeat at the Australian Open. Her best pre-DC Open result was a quarterfinal appearance in Abu Dhabi, but consistency eluded her. Off the court, personal challenges weighed heavily. “The first half of the season was filled with highs and lows, more lows,” Fernandez admitted. “I don’t know if my mother or older sister want me to say a little more, but we had some surprises, not good surprises, some visits to the hospital.” These family health scares made it difficult for her to disconnect emotionally, impacting her focus on the court.
The DC Open, however, was a game-changer. Fernandez, unseeded and ranked No. 36, stormed through a formidable draw, defeating top seed Jessica Pegula in the second round (6-3, 1-6, 7-5), close friend Taylor Townsend in the quarterfinals, and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in a marathon semifinal (6-7(2), 7-6(3), 7-6(3)) that lasted three hours and 12 minutes. Her final against Kalinskaya was a masterclass, with Fernandez converting four break points and firing 12 aces to secure her fourth career WTA title and first at the WTA 500 level. “Really tough match,” Pegula said after her loss. “She’s clearly playing some really good tennis. She’s really tricky.” The $200,000 prize and 500 ranking points boosted Fernandez to No. 24, reigniting her confidence ahead of the US Open.
What clicked in Washington? Fernandez credited the supportive environment and a rediscovery of joy in her game. “I guess in Washington it’s been just a good week overall. I’ve been working very hard for a long time. It started with just good environment, good vibes with the team members, having dinner with the other Canadian girls that were at the tournament,” she said. Off-court indulgences, like devouring Shake Shack burgers, hot dogs, and cheese fries after tough wins, became her unconventional fuel. “Everything that an athlete should not eat,” she joked, revealing a lighter side to her intense preparation. After Roland Garros, where she lost in the third round, Fernandez and her team adjusted her regimen, training less to rediscover her passion for tennis, a strategy that paid dividends in D.C.
The victory was deeply personal. Fernandez dedicated the trophy to her mother Irene, older sister Jodeci, and fitness trainer Abdul Sillah, who supported her through the year’s challenges. “I want to dedicate this trophy to my mom, my oldest sister, and my fitness trainer. You guys have been fighting all year round and still are fighting. Thank you so much for never giving up on me,” she said in her winner’s speech. The win marked her first title since Hong Kong in 2023, ending an 18-month drought and proving her resilience after a season she described as “pretty sh*t.”
Fernandez’s Montreal campaign began with a first-round loss to Maya Joint (6-4, 6-1), a rematch of her DC Open opener, highlighting the quick turnarounds and relentless nature of the WTA schedule. “We’re going to have to find a different type of routine,” she said, noting plans to explore Montreal’s restaurants to maintain the positive vibes. Her playful off-court moments, like rescheduling a date due to her packed schedule—“I told my date that we might have to push it back a little bit,” she laughed to Tennis Channel—added a relatable charm to her narrative.
With a 4-3 record in WTA finals and a pivotal role in Canada’s 2023 Billie Jean King Cup victory, Fernandez’s DC Open triumph is a reminder of her potential. As she heads to the Cincinnati Open and US Open, where she reached the 2021 final, her focus is on staying grounded. “We just have to take it one day at a time,” she said, her sights set on building on this momentum and proving she’s more than her past Grand Slam run.
Leave a Reply