The electric atmosphere at Montreal’s IGA Stadium turned somber on July 29, 2025, as Canada’s tennis darling, Leylah Fernandez, suffered a stunning first-round exit at the National Bank Open, falling 6-4, 6-1 to Australia’s Maya Joint in just 75 minutes. The 22-year-old from Laval, Quebec, fresh off her fourth WTA title at the Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C., two days earlier, was visibly devastated, tears streaming down her face more than an hour after the match. In a raw and emotional press conference, Fernandez didn’t hold back, criticizing tournament organizers for what she called broken promises regarding her match scheduling, which she believed set her up for failure. “I received a lot of promises from scheduling about giving me the night match. I did not receive that,” she said, her voice heavy with disappointment. “That hurt me because I was very looking forward to be playing at night, but I guess it’s a little bit political issues at that point.”
Fernandez’s journey to Montreal was a whirlwind. After defeating Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 6-2 in Washington to claim her biggest career title at a WTA 500 event, she arrived home at 2 a.m. Monday, managing only three or four hours of sleep before attending an event for her Leylah Annie & Family Foundation at IGA Stadium at 8 a.m. The grueling schedule left her visibly fatigued on court, where her usually dynamic game faltered against the 19-year-old Joint, ranked No. 45, who avenged her loss to Fernandez in Washington the previous week. “It felt great being on court, hearing the fans and feeling their support. I was just disappointed with my level of play, and it wasn’t fair for them,” Fernandez admitted, her words reflecting both gratitude for the “electric” home crowd and frustration at her performance.
The scheduling controversy was at the heart of Fernandez’s discontent. She had been assured a night session slot to allow more recovery time after her Washington triumph, but learned on Sunday while traveling that she’d play in the early afternoon, not before 12:30 p.m. This decision, she suggested, was influenced by “political reasons,” a claim that sparked debate among fans and analysts. Valérie Tétreault, the National Bank Open tournament director, acknowledged Fernandez’s request, saying, “I promised Fernandez I would fight so that she could have the time she wanted. But I didn’t win my fight.” Tétreault explained that WTA protocols, which prioritize completing first-round matches before second-round play to ensure fairness, dictated the schedule. Fernandez and Joint were among the final three first-round matches delayed until Tuesday, with fellow Washington finalist Kalinskaya also scheduled no earlier than 12:30 p.m., though she won her match 7-6(6), 0-6, 6-3.
The defeat was a bitter pill for Fernandez, the world No. 24 and a 2021 US Open finalist, who has faced scrutiny over her consistency despite her undeniable talent. With 17 losses in 38 matches in 2025, critics have questioned her ability to sustain the brilliance that saw her defeat three top-5 players en route to the 2021 US Open final at age 19. Yet, her recent Washington title, where she toppled players like Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina, had raised hopes for a deep run in Montreal. Local fans, like Montrealer Carole Lalande, felt the weight of the moment: “The whole thing is fun. You don’t even have to be Canadian, as long as we have good tennis. It’s just a plus when we know them a little bit better.” Her husband, Gaetan Martin, added, “We understand, but we certainly would have preferred for her to win in our region.”
Fernandez’s disappointment was compounded by the emotional toll of playing at home. “My level of playing does not translate what I was actually thinking, because I was really so happy, and it was such an honour to be back to Montreal,” she said, her voice cracking. Despite the setback, Fernandez remains undeterred, returning to IGA Stadium on Wednesday to compete in doubles alongside her sister Bianca against top seeds Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini. The loss marked a tough day for Canadian women, with Rebecca Marino falling 6-1, 6-2 to Emma Navarro and Bianca Andreescu withdrawing due to an ankle injury sustained in her first-round win.
As Fernandez looks ahead to the US Open, where she made history as a finalist, her Montreal experience underscores the challenges of balancing elite athleticism with external pressures. Fans like Artur Puscasu noted the added stress of playing at home: “It’s harder to win at home. There’s so much more pressure.” Lucille Whistle, a longtime supporter, offered perspective: “She had a great tournament before and probably she’s tired. She had a lot to digest.” Fernandez’s fiery response to the scheduling debacle reflects her passion and determination, qualities that have made her a beloved figure in Canadian tennis and a player to watch as she seeks to reclaim her place among the sport’s elite.
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