‘I would love to be just like Leylah’: Fernandez’ U.S. Open success inspiring girls, captivating Canadians
Posted September 9, 2021 11:38 pm.
Last Updated September 10, 2021 1:16 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Super inspirational, super cool. That’s how a pair of Vancouver sisters and competitive tennis players describe Leylah Annie Fernandez, as the Canadian continues to stun at the US Open.
Lauren and Sophie Vanderberg, who are 11 and 13, were watching along with countless other Canadians as Fernandez advanced to the final Thursday, continuing to best top-ranked players by defeating Aryna Sabalenka.
“It’s so cool watching Leylah play all her rounds, and getting to the US Open at such a young age. She’s playing incredible,” Lauren says.
“I would love to be just like Leylah one day. It really just feels amazing and kind of like gives me the inspiration to do the same thing.”
We’ve got a Canadian in the #USOpen final! Caught the start of the match before heading to the debate and I just want to say congratulations, @leylahfernandez – and good luck in the final! pic.twitter.com/NC2WUbAlbW
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 10, 2021
Sophie says she admires how the young player is handling the pressure, and rising to the occasion.
“She’s super focused and you can see it. She plays one point at a time that’s super cool,” Sophie says.
“I just love watching Leylah play, her strokes, she really goes for every ball, she’s never really nervous and is very confident as a tennis player.”
RELATED: Tennis fans, superstars rapt with Leylah Fernandez’ stunning performance
Fernandez, in a pair of upsets, beat out Naomi Osaka of Japan and Germany’s Angelique Kerber before advancing to the semifinals. She is the first woman to win against two former world No. 1s at the U.S. Open since 1975. Heading into Flushing Meadows, she was ranked No. 73 in the world. She celebrated her 19th birthday during the tournament.
She will attempt to become the second Canadian to win women’s singles, potentially following in the footsteps of Bianca Andreescu who won in 2019.
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The Vanderberg sister both practice up to four hours a day. Seeing young, Canadian women like Fernandez and Andreescu counted among the best in the world has opened their eyes to what is possible.
“It just makes me want to work even harder, and one day hopefully make it to the finals of a major tournament and be just like them,” Sophie says.
“It’s so cool watching them play — both of them. I hope I can also get there one day.”
What a moment. @leylahfernandez | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/O8lLmBhmnD
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 10, 2021
As dedicated as the girls are to the sport and as driven as they are to compete — they also just really love to play.
“It doesn’t even feel like I’m playing that many hours because I’m just enjoying it so much. And it’s such a good environment with my coaches and it’s so much fun for me,” Sophie says.
“My coaches and all the people around me, it’s a super positive environment. I just love the sport so much, it’s basically my whole life. I just feel very determined to work hard each and every day and just really set my goals and achieve them one day. ”
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Something the sisters were excited to learn they have in common with Fernandez being coached by their dad.
“My favourite thing that she said was probably that her dad is also her coach. That’s pretty similar to me. I really love training with my dad and going on the court and just really putting in the hours,” Lauren says, while Sophie is quick to agree.
Fernandez is set to face off against another teenager who was unseeded before the tournament — 18-year-old Emma Raducanu.
“Having two super young girls in the final it’s going to be a great match. I know that Leylah will just put her full heart in, and really just work hard, and it’s an amazing experience for her,” Sophie says.
‘Great for the game, fantastic for tennis’
Director of the Vancouver International Tennis Academy, Kris Santoso, says performances like Fernandez’ definitely drive the sport’s popularity.
“I think it’s great for the game. It’s just fantastic for tennis, specifically for Tennis Canada,” he says, noting the past successes of Canadian standouts in men’s tennis, like Milos Raonic and Denis Shapovalov, had a similar effect.
“It’s really taken off and we can, we can feel it. It trickles down from the pro level.”
Sports superstars like Magic Johnson and Billie Jean King took to Twitter to shout out Fernandez’ success.
The giant slayer continues!! I just finished watching @leylahfernandez knock off the number 2 player in the world to advance to the Finals!!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 10, 2021
Congratulations, Leylah! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/ULHzGAqBnD
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 10, 2021
Olympic gold-medalist and Canadian soccer icon Christine Sinclair paid her patriotic respects.
Absolutely incredible. US Open finalist. @leylahfernandez Making all of proud
— Christine Sinclair (@sincy12) September 10, 2021
Steve Nash was cheering Fernandez on in New York, and she took a moment to credit him with being an inspiration to Canadian athletes.
“I remember when I was younger, my dad used him as an example, and told me I had to work hard like Steve Nash. Hopefully we can have a tennis match soon.”@leylahfernandez thanks @SteveNash for inspiration and support as she reaches her first Grand Slam final at the #USOpen. pic.twitter.com/4TwJN8q8xD
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 10, 2021
The Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Raptors joined in the chorus of congratulations.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) September 10, 2021
Unbelievable @leylahfernandez https://t.co/MBB7lBXLlG
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) September 10, 2021
After the biggest win of her life, Fernandez said, “a lot of people doubted me, my family and my dreams. They kept saying, no, that I’m not going to be a professional tennis player, that I should stop and just pursue going to school.”
Her run isn’t over yet, but Fernandez has learned plenty about herself and her game.
“I believed in my game, but it also has helped me open my eyes that I have no limit to my potential, that I can go three sets against these players, I can play against these top players, and I can win against these top players.” she said. “I’m just extremely happy with what I’ve achieved this week. Off court I’m just enjoying every minute of it.”
With files from Sportsnet Staff
