As the tennis world converges on Montreal for the 2025 National Bank Open, Canadian star Leylah Fernandez has captured headlines not just for her on-court prowess but for her candid and lighthearted approach to her personal life. Fresh off a triumphant victory at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, where she clinched her fourth WTA singles title with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 win over Anna Kalinskaya, the 22-year-old has turned her attention to romance, revealing a key “red flag” she’s keen to avoid in potential suitors. In a viral video that has set social media abuzz, Fernandez shared her dating preferences, offering a glimpse into her personality while navigating the pressures of a home tournament and a burgeoning love life.
Fernandez, ranked world No. 24, has been a beacon of Canadian tennis since her breakout run to the 2021 US Open final at age 19. Her recent DC Open triumph, where she outlasted top players like Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina in grueling matches, marked her first WTA 500 title and ended an 18-month title drought. “It’s been a couple of very long years, with many ups and downs,” Fernandez reflected after her Washington victory. “Winning this title is fantastic, not only for confidence and self-esteem but also for the whole team and family.” Her success, fueled by a positive team environment and a newfound enjoyment of the game, has set high expectations for her performance at the Canadian Open, where she faces Australia’s Maya Joint in the first round.
Off the court, Fernandez’s openness about her dating life has endeared her to fans. In a video shared just before the Canadian Open, she revealed she’s never been on a date, a surprising admission for a global sports star. Prompted by a conversation with her father and coach, Jorge Fernandez, she announced her Instagram DMs were open to potential suitors, albeit with a catch: any hopeful romantic would need to meet her father first. “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 camaraderie she found among peers. The response was overwhelming, with “over 100 messages” flooding her inbox, as she later told reporters, sparking a mix of amusement and curiosity among fans.
However, Fernandez was quick to set boundaries, identifying a key dealbreaker in a follow-up video. “I think the No. 1 red flag for me is… There’s a lot of slang in the message. For me, it’s not very… I don’t like to say proper, but it’s not easy to understand,” she explained with a laugh. Her preference for clear, straightforward communication reflects her grounded personality, shaped by her multicultural upbringing in Montreal as the daughter of an Ecuadorian father and a Filipino-Canadian mother. Fluent in English, French, and Spanish, and studying business at Indiana University East, Fernandez balances her athletic career with intellectual pursuits, further evidenced by her Leylah Annie & Family Foundation, which supports education and sports for families.
The Canadian Open, a WTA 1000 event, brings added pressure for Fernandez, who carries the hopes of a home crowd. Her disappointing first-round exit to Maya Joint, a 6-4, 6-1 loss, was a stark contrast to her Washington success. Fernandez attributed the defeat to a grueling schedule, expressing frustration with tournament organizers for reneging on a promised night-session slot that would have allowed more recovery time. “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,” she said, her voice heavy with emotion. Despite the setback, she remains optimistic, competing in doubles alongside her sister, Bianca Andreescu, against top seeds Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini.
Fernandez’s candidness about her dating aspirations and on-court challenges has only amplified her appeal. Her playful yet firm stance on avoiding slang-heavy messages underscores her desire for authenticity, while her resilience after a tough loss highlights her maturity. As she prepares for the US Open, where she’s been labeled a “threat” by former world No. 9 players, Fernandez continues to captivate, blending tennis excellence with a relatable, down-to-earth charm that resonates far beyond the court.
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