Leylah Fernandez, the 22-year-old Canadian tennis star, has once again captured the spotlight with her thrilling run to the final of the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C., on July 27, 2025. After a marathon 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-3) victory over Elena Rybakina, Fernandez reflected on her journey, sharing a poignant story from her childhood that underscored the unwavering belief her parents had in her potential. Despite early concerns from coaches about her physical abilities, Fernandez’s relentless determination, fueled by her family’s support, has propelled her to the cusp of her first WTA 500 title, where she now faces Anna Kalinskaya in the final.
As a young player, Fernandez faced skepticism about her physical capabilities. At a junior tennis camp, coaches conducted physical tests, including a straight-line sprint, where Fernandez admitted, “I was probably the slowest out of all the girls there.” Her coaches were concerned, questioning whether her physicality could match the demands of elite tennis. “They talked to my parents, and my parents said, ‘Yeah, but if you put a tennis ball in front of her and you ask her to run for every ball, she’s gonna do it. Her heart and her belief in herself is much bigger than most of the girls in that camp,’” Fernandez recalled. This anecdote, shared during a press conference after her Washington semifinal, highlighted the pivotal role her parents, Jorge and Irene Fernandez, played in countering doubts with confidence in her resilience.
Fernandez’s father, Jorge, a former professional soccer player from Ecuador, became her coach despite having no tennis background, teaching himself the sport through books and videos. His approach emphasized mental toughness over physical attributes, instilling in Leylah a belief that “the mental to the physical is three to one.” He told her, “You have to be your own cheerleader, own biggest critic, own biggest supporter,” a mantra that has guided her through high-pressure matches. Irene, a Filipino Canadian, made significant sacrifices, working in California for several years to support the family’s dreams, leaving Leylah longing for her presence between ages 10 and 13. “Those few years have been definitely hard for me because I needed a mom,” Fernandez said, noting how her drive to succeed was fueled by a desire to reunite the family.
This tenacity shone through in Washington, where Fernandez overcame formidable opponents, including Eastbourne champion Maya Joint, world No. 6 Jessica Pegula, and Taylor Townsend, before her epic three-hour, 12-minute battle against Rybakina. “It definitely feels good to reach a semi,” Fernandez said after her quarterfinal win. “I think it’s been a while since I have reached a semis, almost a year. So for me, it’s a good steppingstone. I see that the work that I have been doing all year is paying off now.” Her focus on process over results—“We’re doing things right. The results are going to come”—reflects the mindset her parents nurtured, rooted in perseverance and self-belief.
Fernandez’s journey began in Montreal, where she picked up a racket at age five and started competing at 10. Despite being cut from Tennis Quebec’s development program at seven for being “too small,” she defied expectations, winning the 2019 French Open junior title and becoming the world No. 1 junior. Her 2021 US Open final run, where she defeated Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, and Aryna Sabalenka before falling to Emma Raducanu, cemented her as a rising star. Since then, she’s claimed three WTA titles, including the 2023 Hong Kong Open, and led Canada to its first Billie Jean King Cup victory in 2023, earning two Heart Awards for her contributions. “It means the world to me,” she said of the Cup win, highlighting its boost to her confidence.
At 5-foot-6, Fernandez relies on speed, agility, and a left-handed game to outmaneuver opponents, a style honed by her father’s soccer-inspired drills. “You have to be at the red line all the time, and then you find a new red line,” Jorge once said, pushing Leylah to redefine her limits. Her Washington performance, marked by significant wins and a doubles semifinal run with sister Bianca at the 2024 Canadian Open, shows her progress. “I just kept improving, kept my head down and kept working,” Fernandez said, reflecting on her early struggles. As she prepares for the US Open, where she faces Anastasia Potapova in the first round, Fernandez’s story of overcoming doubt through heart and hustle continues to inspire, proving her parents’ faith was well-placed.
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