- Leylah Fernandez has bigger goals to achieve
- She says that it hasn’t been easy since storming Flushing Meadows as a teenager
- Many people expected her to replicate this starring performance in subsequent matches
Following an impressive run at the 2021 US Open finals against Emma Raducanu, Canadian tennis star Leylah Fernandez has bigger goals to achieve.
She says that it hasn’t been easy since storming Flushing Meadows as a teenager and playing the biggest Grand Slam final.
Many people expected her to replicate this starring performance in subsequent matches, just like Raducanu, and she hasn’t.
However, her resolution going forward is to win a Grand Slam each year and keep getting better.
“For me, my big goal is always to win a grand slam every year. It’s always going to be tough. There are a lot of great, very talented players. I’m just going to try to take it one point at a time, one tournament at a time. That’s the most important thing – be happy with that, and I’ll be able to execute my game as much as possible,” Tennis365 reports.
Canadian tennis player Leylah Fernandez. Photo/FirstSportz
Fernandez is also aiming at getting to the top 10 WTA ranking. Surprisingly, she wants to remain humble and grounded as she works hard for it.
Her father, Jorge Fernandez who doubles up as her coach also encourages her to stay focused because every day presents new opportunities.
Jorge is teaching her daughter daily the value of maintaining a strong work ethic, a positive attitude on the court, and playing diligently.
She acknowledged her struggles in adapting to a new reality after her US Open success two years ago. She found it challenging to transition to the WTA Tour.
She emphasized the importance of having a support system that tells her the truth, even when she doesn’t like it, to help her stay grounded.
Fernandez experienced both the feeling of being ungrounded and having her head in the clouds but now has a clear plan and mindset to get back on track.
She hopes for continued success and good times in her career while also enjoying the present moment.
Recalling her magical match with Raducanu, Fernandez can’t help but look forward to the Brit’s return to tennis next year.
Leylah Fernandez. Photo/USOPENORg
Raducanu, 20, played just 10 matches for the 2023 season after exiting the tour due to injuries. She underwent three surgeries in May – two on her wrists and one on her leg and she is taking time to heal and get back in shape.
Now, Fernandez that Raducanu, can return to winning tournaments in 2024. They both had exceptional experiences in 2021, with Fernandez beating top-10 players, and Raducanu coming through the qualifiers.
They faced challenges and had to adjust to their new lives, but Fernandez, at least, focused on having a strong support system with what she terms as a group of great people.
Fernandez says that she sees how hard Raducanu is working to get back and this kind of thirst is good for her.
“I know Emma is working hard, I know she is hungry, she has something to prove, so I’m sure she’s going to come back and play some great tennis. Hopefully, we do see her because she is great for the sport. She has got something special for the WTA and for women’s tennis.
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