Leylah Fernandez, the 22-year-old Canadian tennis sensation and 2021 US Open finalist, has taken the internet by storm with a heartfelt and unconventional approach to finding love. In a recent Instagram video, the World No. 36 revealed she has never been on a date and is now inviting fans to slide into her DMs for a chance at a one-hour date during the National Bank Open in her hometown of Montreal. The move, both bold and endearing, has sparked widespread buzz, blending her vulnerability as a young woman navigating fame with her desire to connect on a personal level. What makes this story even more intriguing is that the idea came from an unexpected source—her father and coach, Jorge Fernandez.
The journey to this moment began with a candid conversation between Leylah and her father. “My dad point blank asked me if I’d gone on a date yet, and I told him I hadn’t,” Fernandez shared during a press conference at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C. “I’ve never really had the time, and no one’s really asked me, which, I don’t know why!” Her father, sensing her openness to new experiences, suggested she post a video on Instagram to invite potential suitors for a date in Montreal, a city where she feels at home. “He suggested I post a video on Instagram and have a date in Montréal where you feel at home and you feel comfortable,” she recounted, adding with a laugh, “Of course, he was like, ‘But, he has to meet me first!’ I agreed that was 100% fair.”
Fernandez’s Instagram post was as charming as it was sincere. “Hey guys, you know what I really want to do that I haven’t done? Go on a date,” she said in the video, her smile radiating both excitement and a touch of nervousness. “I’m not a big fan of dating apps, so I’m actually going to do things my way. I’m going to go on one date for one hour in Montreal. If you want to be my date, DM me. Let me know about yourself.” In the caption, she doubled down, writing, “This will be fun, right? This isn’t a joke. I fully intend to go on a date in Montreal so go ahead and DM me… time to shoot your shot. PS: you may have to meet my dad beforehand (good luck with that).” The playful caveat about meeting her father has only added to the intrigue, with Fernandez later addressing perceptions of Jorge’s intimidating presence. “He’s very welcoming. He’s funny to be around, but the initial picture of him is not that great,” she said, laughing. “So I feel like sometimes I kind of had to do the first step.”
The response to her post was overwhelming. “There’ve been a lot of responses. I think the first day, there were maybe over 100 messages. I’ve got a lot of options,” Fernandez revealed after her first-round win over Maya Joint in Washington. The flood of messages included not just fans but also fellow athletes, some of whom she met at the Tokyo Olympics. “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,’” she shared. These messages reassured her that her experience—being so focused on her career that dating took a backseat—is not uncommon among young athletes. “At this age, we’re all either studying or going to sports competitions, so reading those messages not only makes me feel better and like I’m not the odd one out, but it’s also pretty cool that we’re able to have those conversations together,” she added.
Fernandez’s openness about her lack of dating experience resonates with the challenges of her high-octane career. Since bursting onto the scene with a runner-up finish at the 2021 US Open, where she defeated top players like Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka, Fernandez has been a prominent figure in Canadian tennis. Her schedule, filled with global tournaments and rigorous training under her father’s guidance, has left little room for a social life. Yet, she emphasized that her identity extends beyond the court. “I’m a tennis player, but that’s not all I am. It’s just about having a little conversation and seeing if there’s a mutual interest,” she said, envisioning a simple date—perhaps a coffee or a walk—to explore a connection.
Despite her romantic aspirations, Fernandez remains focused on her tennis. Fresh off a title win at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open, where she defeated top seed Jessica Pegula and clinched her fourth WTA singles title, she’s riding a wave of momentum heading into Montreal. However, her success in Washington forced a slight delay in her dating plans. “Honestly, I told my date that we might have to push it back a little bit because I’m still in DC,” she said with a chuckle. “So, hopefully, maybe at the end of Montreal, I get to have that date finally, but we’ve been talking and keeping in touch to hopefully schedule it.” Fernandez promised to keep the date private, steering clear of the media frenzy that followed compatriot Eugenie Bouchard’s viral Super Bowl date in 2017. “It’s a fun activity, it’s a fun way to connect with my fans,” she said, emphasizing her desire for an authentic experience rather than a publicity stunt.
As Fernandez prepares for her first-round match against Maya Joint at the National Bank Open, the tennis world is abuzz with anticipation—not just for her performance on the court but for the outcome of her bold romantic quest. With her father’s blessing and a flood of DMs to sift through, Fernandez’s first date promises to be a memorable chapter in her already remarkable story.
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