As the 2025 Canadian Open unfolds at Montreal’s IGA Stadium, home favorite Leylah Fernandez is not only chasing a deep run in the WTA 1000 tournament but also embarking on a personal adventure: her very first date. The 22-year-old Canadian tennis star, fresh off a commanding victory at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, has captured global attention with a viral Instagram video inviting potential suitors to slide into her DMs for a one-hour date during the tournament. However, Fernandez has made one thing clear—there’s a specific “red flag” she’s determined to steer clear of as she sifts through the flood of messages from hopeful admirers.
Fernandez, ranked World No. 24, has long been a beacon of Canadian tennis, having reached the 2021 US Open final and led Canada to its first Billie Jean King Cup title in 2023. Yet, her candid revelation about never having been on a date has struck a chord with fans and fellow athletes alike. “I’ve never really had the time, and no one’s really asked me, which, I don’t know why!” she said with a laugh, recounting a conversation with her father and coach, Jorge Fernandez. It was Jorge who suggested she seize the moment in her hometown of Montreal, where she feels most at ease. “He suggested I post a video on Instagram and have a date in Montréal where you feel at home and you feel comfortable,” Fernandez shared, embracing the idea with her characteristic enthusiasm.
The response was overwhelming. Within the first day, Fernandez received over 100 messages, leaving her with “a lot of options.” The outpouring wasn’t just from fans; fellow athletes, including some she competed alongside at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, reached out with messages of solidarity. “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 revealed. These messages, she noted, made her feel less alone in navigating the challenges of a demanding athletic career that often leaves little room for personal milestones like dating. “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.
However, Fernandez’s quest for a Montreal date comes with a unique hurdle: any potential suitor must first meet her father, Jorge, a former footballer whose intimidating presence she jokingly acknowledged as a challenge. “PS: you may have to meet my dad beforehand (good luck with that),” she captioned her Instagram post, setting a lighthearted yet firm condition. This prerequisite adds a layer of intrigue to her search, as Fernandez navigates not only her romantic prospects but also her father’s approval.
As for the “red flag” she’s keen to avoid, Fernandez hinted at a trait in potential suitors that could derail her interest, though she kept the specifics playfully vague. This revelation came as she prepared for her Canadian Open campaign, where she faces Australia’s Maya Joint in the first round—a rematch of her straight-sets victory at the Citi DC Open. Fernandez’s recent form is formidable; her 6-1, 6-2 rout of Anna Kalinskaya in the Washington final marked her first WTA 500 title and her fourth career singles trophy. “I have gone through so many different challenges this week,” she said after the win. “It just has made me stronger, in a way, that if I can get through this week—through the cramps, through the long matches, through the heat, the humidity—I can get through anything.”
The Montreal date, initially planned for the tournament’s early days, may be delayed due to Fernandez’s deep run in Washington and her packed schedule. “Honestly, I told my date that we might have to push it back a little bit because I’m still in DC,” she admitted, prioritizing her title defense while keeping the door open for romance. Her openness has drawn comparisons to fellow Canadian Eugenie Bouchard, who famously went on a date with a fan after a Super Bowl bet in 2017, a story that captivated tennis fans. Fernandez, however, is carving her own path, blending vulnerability and confidence in a way that resonates with her 350,000 Instagram followers.
Off the court, Fernandez’s life is as dynamic as her game. A business student at Indiana University East, she balances her studies with her tennis career, supported by a WTA partnership that enables online learning. Her Leylah Annie & Family Foundation reflects her commitment to giving back, focusing on education and sports for families. On the court, her left-handed game, powered by a Babolat Pure Aero racquet and backed by sponsors like Lululemon and Gatorade, continues to evolve. Her recent victories, including a grueling three-set, three-tiebreaker marathon against Elena Rybakina in Washington, showcase her resilience and growing prowess on hard courts.
As Fernandez prepares to face Joint and potentially top seed Jessica Pegula in Montreal, the tennis world watches not only her forehand but also her off-court journey. Will she find a connection that passes her father’s test and avoids her undisclosed red flag? For now, Fernandez is embracing the adventure with the same boldness she brings to the court, promising to keep fans updated on her quest for love. “This will be fun, right? This isn’t a joke,” she declared in her viral video. “I fully intend to go on a date in Montreal, so go ahead and DM me… time to shoot your shot.”
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