In the sweltering heat of Washington, D.C., 22-year-old Canadian tennis star Leylah Fernandez delivered a performance that was as emotionally resonant as it was dominant, clinching her first WTA 500 title at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open on July 27. The left-handed prodigy, ranked No. 36, stormed through the final against Anna Kalinskaya, securing a commanding 6-1, 6-2 victory in just 69 minutes. But it was her heartfelt post-match speech that stole the spotlight, as she dedicated the triumph to her Filipino-Canadian mother, Irene, her older sister, Jodeci, and her fitness trainer, Abdul Sillah. “Thank you so much for never giving up on me — and don’t give up on yourselves,” Fernandez said, her voice thick with emotion. “This trophy is for you guys.”
Fernandez’s journey to the Washington title was a testament to her resilience. The 2025 season had been a grueling one, marked by early exits and a losing record. “You can be honest. You can say the rest of the year hasn’t been great,” she admitted with a laugh at the Canadian Open press conference. “It’s been pretty sh*t, to be honest.” Prior to Washington, her best results included a quarterfinal in Abu Dhabi and third-round finishes at the Australian and Qatar Opens. Yet, the North American hard-court swing reignited her fire. Starting with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Maya Joint, Fernandez went on to upset top seed Jessica Pegula and No. 3 seed Elena Rybakina in a marathon three-hour, three-tiebreak semifinal that tested her endurance. “I have gone through so many different challenges this week,” she reflected. “If I can get through this week, through the cramps, through the long matches, through the heat, the humidity, I can get through anything.”
The final against Kalinskaya was a masterclass in aggressive baseline play and precise net work. Fernandez converted four of six break points, never dropping her serve, while Kalinskaya struggled with 24 unforced errors. “The match was very solid from my part,” Fernandez said, noting her ability to manage nerves and execute under pressure. Kalinskaya, gracious in defeat, acknowledged her opponent’s dominance: “Amazing fight this week. You truly deserve it.” The victory, Fernandez’s fourth WTA singles title and her first since the 2023 Hong Kong Open, propelled her to No. 24 in the WTA rankings and earned her nearly $200,000 in prize money. It was a milestone moment, marking her biggest career achievement since reaching the 2021 US Open final as a teenager, where she fell to Emma Raducanu.
The emotional weight of the win was amplified by Fernandez’s dedication to her family and trainer. Her mother, Irene, known for her calming presence, and her sister Jodeci, a dentist living in Ohio, have been steadfast pillars of support. “You guys have been fighting all year round and still are fighting,” Fernandez said, crediting their perseverance as inspiration. Her fitness trainer, Abdul Sillah, has been instrumental in helping her navigate the physical demands of the tour. The victory was not just a personal triumph but a shared one, reflecting the sacrifices and encouragement of those closest to her. Fernandez’s younger sister, Bianca, also a professional tennis player, adds to the family’s sporting legacy, having competed alongside Leylah in doubles at the 2024 Canadian Open.
Fernandez’s journey resonates beyond the court. Born in Montreal to an Ecuadorian father, Jorge, a former footballer turned coach, and a Filipino-Canadian mother, she embodies a multicultural spirit, speaking fluent English, French, and Spanish. Her Leylah Annie & Family Foundation reflects her commitment to giving back, supporting families through education and sports. A student of business at Indiana University East, Fernandez balances her athletic career with academic pursuits, showcasing her drive to grow both on and off the court. Her love for soccer—she’s a fan of Real Madrid and Manchester City—adds another layer to her vibrant personality, which shone through in her glamorous post-victory photoshoot, where she donned a white one-shoulder top, greige trousers, and bold red sneakers.
As Fernandez headed to the National Bank Open in Montreal, her focus shifted to her home crowd, though her packed schedule delayed her much-publicized first date, a plan sparked by a candid conversation with her father. “Honestly, I told my date that we might have to push it back a little bit,” she said with a smile, noting ongoing communication to schedule it post-tournament. The Washington triumph, however, was a turning point, boosting her confidence as she eyes the US Open. “It’s been a long, long couple of years with a lot of ups and downs,” she said. “This trophy just indicates how much they have fought. And it shows me if they can fight through their difficulties, I can do it in a little tennis match.” With her family’s unwavering support and a renewed sense of belief, Fernandez is poised to make waves in New York, carrying the momentum of a champion and the heart of a fighter.
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