Leylah Fernandez, the 22-year-old Canadian tennis sensation and 2021 US Open finalist, has taken the tennis world by storm—not just with her powerful forehand but with a surprising and heartfelt social media plea for a date. As she prepares for the National Bank Open in her hometown of Montreal, Fernandez has invited fans to slide into her Instagram DMs for a chance at a one-hour date, a move that has sparked a frenzy of excitement and over 100 responses in a single day. However, there’s a catch: any potential suitor must first win the approval of her father and coach, Jorge Fernandez, who she jokingly warns “doesn’t look welcoming.” This bold initiative, born from a candid conversation with her dad, reveals a personal side of Fernandez as she balances her professional grind with a longing for connection, offering fans a glimpse into her life beyond the court.
Fernandez, currently ranked No. 32 in the world, has been navigating a challenging 2025 season, with early exits at the French Open and Wimbledon. Yet, her recent performance at the Citi DC Open in Washington, where she reached the quarterfinals with a stunning 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 upset over top seed Jessica Pegula, signals a resurgence. Amid her busy schedule, Fernandez opened up about her personal life in a video posted on Instagram, admitting, “You know what I really want to do that I haven’t done? Go on a date.” Explaining her aversion to dating apps, she declared, “I’m not a big fan of dating apps, so I’m actually going to do things my own 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.” The lighthearted yet earnest appeal was accompanied by a playful caption: “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 idea stemmed from a conversation with her father, Jorge, a former soccer player who has coached Fernandez and her sister Bianca since their childhood in Montreal. “My dad point blank asked me if I’d gone on a date yet, and I told him I hadn’t,” Fernandez shared after her first-round win over Maya Joint at the Citi DC Open. “I’ve never really had the time, and no one’s really asked me, which, I don’t know why! He suggested I post a video on Instagram and have a date in Montreal where you feel at home and you feel comfortable.” Jorge’s condition that any suitor meet him first added a humorous twist, with Fernandez agreeing it was “100% fair.” She later quipped that her father’s intimidating presence might deter some, saying, “My dad doesn’t look welcoming,” a nod to his protective nature and fiery coaching style that guided her to the 2021 US Open final.
The response to Fernandez’s call was overwhelming. “There’ve been a lot of responses,” she exclaimed. “I think the first day, there were maybe over 100 messages. I’ve got a lot of options.” Surprisingly, her openness resonated with fellow athletes, including Olympians she competed with in Tokyo. “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.’ 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,” she said. These messages provided comfort, reinforcing that her demanding career, which includes studying business at Indiana University East and running her Leylah Annie & Family Foundation, has left little room for romance.
Fernandez’s unconventional approach draws parallels to fellow Canadian Eugenie Bouchard, who famously went on a date with a fan after a Super Bowl bet in 2017. Unlike Bouchard’s publicized outing, Fernandez envisions a low-key encounter, emphasizing connection over spectacle. “I’ve never been on a date before, so I just want to see how it goes,” she admitted. “It’s just about having a little conversation and seeing if there’s a mutual interest.” Her sincerity has endeared her to fans, who admire her vulnerability. On social media, one supporter commented, “Maybe it’s because I’m Canadian too, but I just knew this was genuine,” while another expressed hope that she finds “a charming, funny, and kind individual” for her first date.
As Fernandez gears up for the Canadian Open, where she hopes to improve on her 2024 second-round exit, her off-court adventure adds a refreshing narrative to her season. Despite recent struggles, her 2023 Billie Jean King Cup victory and three WTA titles highlight her resilience. With her sister Bianca, also a tennis player, and her mother Irene cheering her on, Fernandez’s tight-knit family remains her anchor. Her father’s influence, though intense, has been pivotal, blending tough love with unwavering support. As she sifts through DMs with her team, Fernandez is excited yet pragmatic, promising to keep fans updated without turning her date into a “Bachelor-style production.” Whether she finds love or simply enjoys a new experience, Fernandez’s bold move underscores her desire to embrace life fully, both on and off the court, in the city she calls home.
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