As the tennis world gears up for the Cincinnati Open, Canadian star Leylah Fernandez has captured attention not only for her on-court prowess but also for a charming update on her budding love life. Fresh off her triumphant run at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, where she claimed her first WTA 500 title, the 22-year-old has shared an intriguing glimpse into her personal life, revealing details about a recent date that required some light-hearted detective work. Fernandez’s candid admission, “I stalked him to make sure he’s real,” has fans buzzing, blending her quest for romance with her focus on reclaiming her top form at the upcoming tournament.
Fernandez, currently ranked 26th in the world, made headlines earlier this summer when she posted a bold Instagram video inviting fans to slide into her DMs for a chance to go on a date during the Canadian Open in Montreal. The unconventional move, spurred by a conversation with her father and coach, Jorge, came after she admitted she’d never been on a date due to her demanding tennis schedule. “My dad point blank asked me if I’d gone on a date yet, and I told him I hadn’t,” she said, laughing. “I’ve never really had the time, and no one’s really asked me, which, I don’t know why!” The post went viral, drawing over 100 messages on the first day alone, including responses from fellow athletes who empathized with the challenges of dating as a young professional. “I got responses from other athletes, including ones I went to the Olympics with, and they told me, ‘I know how you feel,’ or, ‘When I was 22, I hadn’t gone on a date yet, either,’” Fernandez shared, highlighting the isolating nature of her globe-trotting career.
After her Citi Open victory, where she dismantled Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour, Fernandez had to postpone her planned Montreal date due to a tight schedule. “I told my date that we might have to push it back a little bit because I’m still in DC,” she explained. However, an early exit at the Canadian Open against Maya Joint (4-6, 1-6) gave her a window to finally meet her mystery suitor. Fernandez described the experience with enthusiasm: “Oh man! I had a good time with the guy. He was funny, he was nice.” His initial message stood out for its sincerity, prompting her to investigate further. “It’s a little hard because a lot of guys who have been messaging me are international,” she noted. “So I was giving it one more day, and then stumbled upon him, and his message kind of caught my attention. When I asked him, ‘Did you even see my video?’ And he’s like ‘No, I didn’t!’” To ensure he was genuine, Fernandez admitted, “I stalked him to make sure he’s real,” consulting her family and team before proceeding. Her younger sister, Bianca, even helped pick out the perfect outfit, showcasing the close-knit support system behind her.
The date, her first ever, was a success, with Fernandez confirming a second outing and ongoing contact. “There’s been a second date, and we are keeping in contact, so we’ll see,” she said, hinting at a blossoming connection. Yet, her father’s protective presence loomed large. “He’s very welcoming. He’s funny to be around with, but the initial picture of him is not that great,” Fernandez laughed, noting that Jorge’s intimidating appearance often deters suitors. Despite this, he encouraged the date, ensuring any candidate met his approval first.
On the court, Fernandez is channeling newfound confidence into her Cincinnati Open campaign, where she enters as the 21st seed with a second-round match against Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. A win could pit her against Taylor Townsend or Liudmila Samsonova. Her 21-18 record this season includes a standout performance at the Citi Open, where she also defeated Elena Rybakina in a grueling three-tiebreaker semi-final. “I was just very happy that I got to not only push myself physically through the limits but also mentally,” Fernandez said after the win, which marked her fourth career WTA singles title. However, her season has had its challenges, with early exits at Wimbledon, the French Open, and the Canadian Open, where she expressed frustration over unfulfilled scheduling promises. “My mental state’s been a little up and down,” she admitted, citing off-court family and team struggles.
Fernandez’s openness about her dating adventure, inspired by fellow Canadian Eugenie Bouchard’s fan date years ago, reflects her desire to balance her personal and professional lives. “I’m a tennis player, but that’s not all I am,” she said, emphasizing her wish to connect over shared interests. As she prepares for Cincinnati, where a potential clash with Venus Williams looms, Fernandez’s off-court joy and on-court grit make her a compelling figure. With her Shake Shack tradition fueling her US Open preparations, fans are eager to see if her newfound balance—and budding romance—will propel her to another deep Grand Slam run.
Leave a Reply