Leylah Fernandez

Leylah Fernandez is a professional tennis player known for her powerful left-handed game and significant achievements, including a US Open final appearance and multiple WTA Tour titles. After winning the French Open girls’ singles title in June 2019, becoming the first Canadian female to win a junior Grand Slam since 2012, Leylah Fernandez went on to achieve the world No. 1 junior ranking. Her professional career began in 2019, marked by reaching the Australian Open girls’ singles final in January.

En route to the final, she defeated three top-5 players, including defending champion Naomi Osaka, captivating audiences worldwide before finishing as runner-up to Emma Raducanu. She continued her impressive form in 2022 by successfully defending her Monterrey Open title and reaching the quarterfinals of the French Open singles, further solidifying her presence on the tour. In 2023, Fernandez played a pivotal role in a historic moment for Canadian tennis, leading her country to its first-ever Billie Jean King Cup victory. During the tournament, she won all her singles matches and contributed with a crucial doubles win.

Her trajectory continued upward, culminating in her first WTA 500 title at the Washington Open in 2025, where she overcame Elena Rybakina in the semifinals before defeating Anna Kalinskaya in the final. Beyond the court, Fernandez is also committed to academic pursuits, currently studying business at Indiana University East through a strategic partnership between the WTA and the Women’s Tennis Benefits Association, which supports online degree programs for professional athletes.