As the tennis world converges on Montreal for the 2025 National Bank Open, Canadian star Leylah Fernandez is not only aiming to conquer the courts but also to embark on a new adventure: her very first date. Fresh off her dominant 6-1, 6-2 victory over Anna Kalinskaya at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, the 22-year-old former US Open finalist has captured headlines with a bold and unconventional approach to finding romance. In a candid Instagram video, Fernandez invited fans to slide into her DMs for a one-hour date during the WTA 1000 tournament, revealing her distrust of dating apps and a surprising obstacle—her father’s intimidating presence—that she’s determined to overcome. With her focus split between tennis and this personal milestone, Fernandez is navigating the complexities of love with the same resilience that’s defined her career.
Fernandez, ranked world No. 24 after her fourth career title in Washington, D.C., has been open about her lack of dating experience, a consequence of her demanding tennis schedule. “I’ve never been on one date before, so I just want to experience how it goes,” she told reporters, explaining her desire to connect with someone in her hometown of Montreal, where she feels most at ease. The idea stemmed from a lighthearted conversation with her father and coach, Jorge Fernandez, who suggested she post the invitation online. “My dad point-blank asked me if I’d gone on a date yet, and I told him I hadn’t,” she recalled. “He suggested I post a video on Instagram and have a date in Montréal, where you feel at home and you feel comfortable. Of course, he was like, ‘But, he has to meet me first!’ I agreed that was 100% fair.” However, she humorously identified a potential “red flag” for suitors: her father’s imposing appearance. “A lot of people think I’m very focused in tennis, and I am,” she said. “Sometimes they think, ‘Okay, I can’t approach her and ask her out,’ and it doesn’t help that also my dad doesn’t look that welcoming. He’s very welcoming. Don’t get me wrong. He’s funny to be around with, but the initial picture of him is not that great.”
The response to Fernandez’s invitation was overwhelming, with over 100 messages flooding her inbox on the first day alone. “There’ve been a lot of responses,” she exclaimed after her D.C. victory, noting that the outpouring included messages from fellow athletes, some of whom she met at the Olympics. “They told me, ‘I know how you feel,’ or, ‘When I was 22, I hadn’t gone on a date yet, either,’” she shared, adding that the solidarity made her feel “like I’m not the odd one out.” The flood of interest has given her plenty of options, but her extended run in D.C. forced a slight delay. “Honestly, I told my date that we might have to push it back a little bit because I’m still in DC,” she said post-final. “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 before going to Cincy.”
Fernandez’s openness about her dating quest reflects her playful yet determined personality, which has endeared her to fans since her breakout 2021 US Open final run, where she defeated top players like Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka before falling to Emma Raducanu. Her recent triumph in D.C., where she overcame Jessica Pegula, Taylor Townsend, and Elena Rybakina in a grueling three-hour, 12-minute semifinal, showcased her tenacity. “I have gone through so many different challenges this week,” she said, citing cramps, heat, and humidity. “If I can get through this week, I can get through anything.” Her victory, which earned her nearly $200,000 and a rankings boost, sets the stage for a strong showing in Montreal, where she’ll face Maya Joint in the first round.
Off the court, Fernandez’s candidness about her personal life adds depth to her public persona. She admitted to indulging in Shake Shack meals during the D.C. tournament, joking, “Everything that an athlete should not eat before a match, but it did the trick.” Her lighthearted approach to her first date, inspired by fellow Canadian Eugenie Bouchard’s viral fan date in 2017, underscores her desire to connect authentically. “It’s a fun way to connect with my fans,” she said, emphasizing that the date is about “getting to know each other, what his hobbies are, and what he likes.” As Fernandez balances her pursuit of a fifth WTA title with her search for romance, her charm and determination make her a standout both on and off the court.
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