Leylah Fernandez is on a winning streak this week in the 2021 U.S Open, and beating world champion Naomi Osaka proves she’s a force to reckoned with
This year has introduced us to many Filipino talents in different industries from all over the world. Whether through the field of pageants, media, and especially through sports. Last, Sept 4, Leylah Fernandez, a Filipina-Canadian teen made headlines after beating 4-time Grand Slam champion, Naomi Osaka at the U.S Open.
After her life-changing feat, she moves to reach a Grand Slam quarter-final for the first time with her win over another world champion, Angelique Kerber with a 4-6 7-6(5) 6-2 win last Sunday, Sept 5. Fernandez who just turned 19 today, Sept 6, was dubbed as a rising tennis star, and according to her foe, Kerber, “If she plays like this, consistently plays the whole year, the next tournaments like this, the next rounds, I think she has a great future.”
Leylah Fernandez.
— Tennis Canada (@TennisCanada) September 4, 2021
A star is born.@leylahfernandez | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/SXqlywptbb
After upsetting two champions, people are going to be on the lookout on what’s next for her, right now, she’s going to face fifth seed Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals.
No doubt that Fernandez is a young blood who is already making a name for herself yet still has a long way to go, and the more we get to know her. So far, here are some things you should know about the Filipina-Canadian rising tennis star.Athletic family
She’s a mix of Ecuadorian and Filipino, but currently resides in Canada. Fernandez’ father Jorge is a former professional football player of Ecuadorian descent and played across South America, while her mother Irene Exevea is a Canadian of Filipino origins.
She is the second of three siblings, and they are all girls. Her older sister, Jodeci is a dentist, while her younger sister Bianca Jolie is also a tennis player.
Young champion
Being raised in a sports-loving family, she also tried other sports like football, track and field, and volleyball, and tennis which she started to explore at the age of seven, having her supportive father Jorge as her first coach.
One of her first impressive records include being the first Canadian to win a girls title in 2012 tournament. In 2019 and at the age of 17, she got her first professional title in the Gatineau Challenger after defeating Carson Branstine.
She was present at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
She was chosen to be among the six tennis players to represent canada along with former world No. 4 Bianca Andreescu to compete in the Tokyo Olympics.
Related:
Filipina Tennis Star Alex Eala Has Made History With Her Recent Win At The 2021 French Open
3 Filipina Athletes Tell Their Stories Of Female Empowerment In Sports
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