Leylah Fernandez admits her rise hasn’t gone as hoped following her excellent 2021 US Open run but additionally highlights that she continues to be very younger and decided to succeed in the largest heights.
Simply over three years in the past, then-the 18-year-old Canadian entered the US Open ranked at No. 77 on the earth and she or he completely wasn’t thought to be a contender for the title or somebody who might make a deep run at Flushing Meadows that 12 months. However when the event began, the Canadian accomplished a few upset wins over Grand Slam winners and star gamers. That listing consists of Naomi Osaka (3R), Angelique Kerber (R16), Elina Svitolina (QF) and Aryna Sabalenka (SF).
Sadly for Fernandez, her fairytale run wasn’t capped off with the title after Emma Raducanu – who was additionally 18 on the time – handed her a 6-4 6-3 loss within the ultimate. That 12 months, the Briton was a qualifier and she or he made historical past turning into the first-ever qualifier to win a Main.
Following the 2021 US Open ultimate, each the Canadian and Raducanu have been tipped to do main nice issues and rapidly set up themselves as probably the greatest within the sport. However to date, it hasn’t occurred for both of the 2.
When it particularly involves Fernandez, she has received two WTA 250 titles since and her solely notable on the Grand Slam stage since 2022 has been a quarterfinal look on the 2022 French Open.
Additionally, it ought to be famous that the present world No. 32 – who turned 22 in September – battled accidents and inconsistency.
“The development as a participant hasn’t been simple, with a variety of ups and downs. There have been some modifications in my sport that I didn’t need, however I simply needed to continue to learn and rising. Due to these experiences I have been capable of study extra about myself as an individual and who I wish to turn into on courtroom. Sure, I am a really formidable individual, we’re a really formidable group with excessive targets. We are able to’t all the time be glad with outcomes we have executed up to now and should be certain we glance forward,” Fernandez stated, through the WTA web site.
What Fernandez stated following her US Open ultimate loss?
When the Canadian and Raducanu booked a ultimate assembly at Flushing Meadows, some completely beloved it as a result of they felt it was a breath of recent air to see two youngsters go up in opposition to one another in a Grand Slam ultimate. And since neither had any expertise of taking part in in a Slam ultimate and contemplating that each have been within the midst of a fairytale run, the idea was that that they had even probabilities of profitable the match.
Ultimately, it was the Briton who got here up with the products and lifted her maiden Grand Slam title. Afterward, Fernandez did not conceal that she was disenchanted and that she felt that she missed a significant alternative. But additionally, she remained hopeful that she would be capable of do extra massive issues on the Slam stage in 2022.
“Nicely, proper now it has sunk in. I’m nonetheless disenchanted. I believe this loss, I’ll carry it for a really very long time. I believe it can inspire me to do higher in coaching, higher for the following alternative I get. However, no, I am very proud of myself, with the way in which I competed, and the play I performed, the way in which I acted on courtroom the previous two weeks. I’ve improved loads not solely tennis-wise however emotionally and mentally. I am glad. Subsequent 12 months hopefully it will likely be simply nearly as good,” the Canadian stated in her post-final presser.
Fernandez is at present bidding to defend her Hong Kong title
After profitable her third WTA title in Hong Kong final 12 months, the 22-year-old returned to the event this week hoping to defend her title. And to date, she has loved nice help and been via to the quarterfinal.
“My dad has all the time stated the job of an athlete is to entertain. For me, we would not have this job if it wasn’t for the followers. Seeing how passionate they’re for the game, for tennis, for girls’s sport particularly, it actually motivates me to be higher,” Fernandez stated.
On Thursday, the third seed safely made it previous her round-of-16 match after crushing Kim Birrell 6-1 6-2.
“Because the defending champion you wish to obtain good outcomes, but additionally, I felt a lot love from the followers, as if I have been coming right here yearly. It simply feels nice to be again, I am tremendous glad to expertise this once more as my final event for the 12 months. I wish to benefit from the second, benefit from the ambiance as a lot as attainable,” the Canadian stated.
For a spot within the Hong Kong semifinal, Fernandez performs in opposition to Bernarda Pera.
