Leylah Fernandez: an answer to those who doubted her

In qualifying for the final of the United States Open yesterday, Leylah Fernandez believes that she has swallowed their words to all those who doubted her potential.

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“Several people doubted me, my family. I was told that I will never be a professional tennis player, that I should continue to go to school, ”said the 19-year-old Quebecer at a press conference.

Every day, the little player remembers the words of one of her teachers, who told her to stop playing tennis and concentrate on her lessons.

But Leylah, she always believed in it. Thanks, in particular, to the words of his father Jorge, who is also his trainer.

“My father tells me all the time that there is no limit to my potential, that nothing is impossible,” she smiled.

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Difficult years

Her victory over Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka also balances her difficult years, during which her mother, Irene, moved to California to financially support her dream of becoming a professional tennis player.

“It was really difficult, because I needed my mother,” revealed the Laval woman.

If Fernandez has never stopped believing in her dreams, she is also delighted with the quality of the show she has offered to tennis fans since the start of the fortnight.

“I think I have a magical tournament,” said Leylah. Not only do I have an amazing tournament, but I also play tennis that people love. “

Like a top 10 … for now

Sabalenka’s ears were still ringing at a press conference, thirty minutes after the meeting.

“My head is about to explode!” she said. The atmosphere was amazing. I knew they were going to encourage him more than me. I tried to put them on my side, but whatever. I still liked every second I spent on the pitch. “

If she recognized that the younger generation was “hardworking”, the second favorite tempered the expectations surrounding her rival of the day.

“She has no pressure. The crowd is with her. We feel that love and we use it, we hit the ball, everything falls between the lines. It’s a good feeling, I’ve experienced it before, ”she said.

“But one day we start to understand what’s going on. You have to live with the expectations, see how you are doing. This week, she’s playing like a top 10. We’ll see how it goes in the future, ”added the Belarusian.

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