NEW YORK | Leylah Fernandez was all smiles on Friday, sitting in the large conference room below Arthur-Ashe Stadium. The last time she set foot there was a year ago, after that famous final in New York. When she understood that “dreams can come true”.
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“I think what I learned from this final is that nothing is impossible. And to play in the final here, in New York, was even more incredible, because New York is the place where dreams come true, where you feel that great things can happen, “said the young Quebecer in front of the reporters on Friday.
But that’s not the only learning Fernandez has learned over the past 12 months. After this unexpected final match – she was then 73rd in the world – the original Lavallois believed “that everything would be perfect”.
Several times have been. There was this second title in Monterrey, in March. This quarter-final at Roland-Garros, in May. This prodigious leap in the rankings.
Learning to know each other
But there were also hasty exits. And, above all, this stress fracture in the right foot, which kept Leylah away from the field for two months, depriving her of Wimbledon.
“At the same time, I knew there would be a few hiccups. I knew I would have to find solutions, to get through these difficult times, ”pointed out the 19-year-old racket.
“I think it was a great learning experience, continued the 14th favorite of this US Open. Not only in relation to my tennis, which I always try to improve. But also about me. Things that I like to do, those that help me in hardships. »
thinking about the present
This great moment lived in Flushing Meadows, Fernandez shared it with the young Briton Emma Raducanu, who finally won the prestigious trophy.
And even if their careers are now forever linked by this final, Leylah ensures that the two girls never talk about it when they meet in the locker room.
Because, she says, “we are in the same frame of mind”.
“We are thinking about the present and not the past,” she said.
Against Dodin
This present, it will begin Monday around 9 p.m. with a match against the Frenchwoman Océane Dodin, who occupies the 99th rank in the world. Certainly, this return to New York is of particular importance for the Quebecer. The finalist will have valuable points in the standings to defend.
However, there was never any question of it on Friday, despite the additional pressure on his shoulders. After a serious injury and a recent return to play (three weeks ago in Toronto), Leylah “wants to have fun on the court”.
“Hopefully I’ll be here for the whole tournament, but for now I’m going one game at a time,” she added.
Perhaps in the face of a legend?
Before we think of another final in the biggest tennis stadium in the world, there could be, if the gods of the sport want it, a fourth round clash against a certain Serena Williams.
The legend’s name is on everyone’s lips at these US Opens. This was always somewhat the case, but the announcement of his imminent retirement only accentuates the phenomenon.
The young player was not aware of this potential meeting with the big star, who should play in the Big Apple the last tournament of his career. It is his trainer, his father Jorge, who looks at his painting when it is unveiled.
No matter the result
If Williams and Fernandez were to face each other in New York, it would be a first. And this possibility seemed to delight the little player.
“You always dream of facing legends, these girls that you look up to,” said Fernandez. It doesn’t matter the result. You want to get this time [avec elles] in the field. Not just in training, but in a game. »
“It would be a dream come true. »
Another, in this city where great things happen.
Especially for Leylah.
Glad to be with Nadal
Photo taken from Instagram
Leylah Fernandez posted this photo on Instagram on Thursday in which we see her appearing on the cardboard that wears Babolat’s new Aero racquet, alongside Félix Auger-Aliassime, Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal.
NEW YORK | Leylah Fernandez is one of the athletes who appear on the promotional card of a new racquet from the company Babolat, its equipment supplier.
A privilege that belongs to the headliners of the circuit and which was, for the Quebecer, “a little girl’s dream”.
“It’s a great honor to be there, not only with Félix [Auger-Aliassime] et [Carlos] Alcaraz, who represent the rising generation, but also with [Rafael] Nadal”, rejoiced the 19-year-old player on Friday.
“When I was young and saw all the photos of Nadal on rackets, I dreamed that one day I would be there with him, my photo next to his. It’s a dream come true,” added the left-handed girl with a smile on her face.
with young people
Babolat’s Pure Aero 2023 was launched Thursday in the Queen’s, in the presence of Leylah, Félix and Alcaraz.
During the promotional activity, the three athletes hit balls with young players from the neighborhood.
Fernandez has played with this type of racquet, adapted to her style, since she was 12, can we read in a press release from the company. She helped develop the new version.
Motivate the next generation
She herself is still very young, but Fernandez often talks about the importance of inspiring a new generation of athletes through her tennis and her results. She now wants this photo to have the same impact on the next generation.
A bit like it was the case for her, with these images of Nadal.
” It’s so beautiful [cette photo], she pointed out. I was so happy. I now hope that young people will look at this card and that seeing the players who are there will motivate them to continue. I hope that one day maybe they will project themselves into this image. »
