The Laval native reached a career-high No. 13 within the WTA final yr, however checks in at No. 81 for this week’s Nationwide Financial institution Open in Montreal.
Article content material
What have you ever executed recently?
That’s the query that guidelines life on the skilled tennis circuit.
Article content material
Leylah Fernandez reached a career-high No. 13 within the WTA rankings final yr after she adopted a runner-up end on the 2021 US Open with a march to the quarterfinals of the 2022 French Open.
However the tour calls for repeat performances, and when Fernandez didn’t advance previous the second spherical in her subsequent look in New York and Paris, her rating plummeted. When she faces a qualifier within the first spherical of this week’s Nationwide Financial institution Open, the 20-year-old from Laval will examine in at No. 81.
Commercial 2
Article content material
“It’s disappointing that the outcomes haven’t been there, however I’m enhancing every single day,” Fernandez mentioned Sunday. “My sport remains to be within the improvement stage.”
The drop within the rankings creates some logistical issues. Her rank is nice sufficient to achieve entry into the 4 Grand Slam tournaments that assure her at the least US$250,000 in prize cash. However a participant must be within the prime 45 to achieve direct entry into the WTA 1000 occasions just like the Nationwide Financial institution Open.
Fernandez was in that class after her US Open run, however her current rank discount meant she wanted a wild-card entry for Montreal, the place she’s going to meet American qualifier Peyton Stearns on Monday morning, and she or he’ll should undergo to qualify at subsequent week’s WTA 1000 match in Cincinnati.
“Scheduling is a bit more troublesome when your rating goes down, however I’ll attempt to do my finest till the top of the yr, after which I’ll sit down with my coach and set targets for subsequent yr,” Fernandez mentioned.
She will take some encouragement from the phrases of Caroline Wozniacki, the previous WTA No. 1 who’s returning to motion this week after a three-year hiatus. She took break day to present beginning to daughter Olivia and son James.
Commercial 3
Article content material
“I believe it’s rather a lot simpler going up within the rankings,” Wozniacki mentioned. “There are not any expectations and each time you win, it’s a bonus. If you get excessive within the rankings, there’s an expectation that you just attain the quarterfinals, the semifinals, each week. The opposite gamers see you play, watch you on TV and be taught your sport.”
Fernandez hasn’t reached the quarterfinals of a WTA occasion since Auckland in January, and she or he has a 17-15 file on the yr.
She has had extra success taking part in doubles. She paired with American Taylor Townsend in March they usually reached the ultimate in Miami and once more on the French Open. A video of Townsend consoling Fernandez after the loss in Paris went viral, and Fernandez mentioned it was proof she hates to lose.
Townsend will not be in Montreal, however Fernandez, who’s ranked No. 20 in doubles, plans to play right here together with her youthful sister Bianca. They received a spherical finally yr’s Nationwide Financial institution Open in Toronto.
Qualifying play wrapped up Sunday on the Nationwide Tennis Centre at Jarry Park and the opposite two Canadians realized the id of their first-round opponents. Bianca Andreescu of Mississauga will play Camila Giorgi of Italy, whereas Rebecca Marino of Vancouver faces Britain’s Katie Boulter. The principle draw motion begins Monday at 11 a.m.
Article content material
Feedback
Postmedia is dedicated to sustaining a vigorous however civil discussion board for dialogue and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Feedback could take as much as an hour for moderation earlier than showing on the positioning. We ask you to maintain your feedback related and respectful. We’ve enabled e mail notifications—you’ll now obtain an e mail when you obtain a reply to your remark, there may be an replace to a remark thread you observe or if a consumer you observe feedback. Go to our Neighborhood Tips for extra data and particulars on the right way to alter your e mail settings.
Be a part of the Dialog