(VIDEO) Leylah Fernandez and Paula Badosa produce magic on practice court at Rome Open

With the 2024 Rome Open set to kick off on May 7, several WTA superstars are locked in as they resume their clay-court preparations. Roland Garros looms ahead of the WTA 1000 event, with most tennis players trying to achieve their peak clay-court form.

A few WTA stars opted to arrive earlier in Rome, with 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez being among them. The Canadian has had a subpar season, as she struggles to regain the form that saw her reach the final in New York two years ago.

The former World No.13 was captured on video during a training session on the practice court in Rome. Joining Fernandez was Spaniard Paula Badosa, who has also seen a dip in form as she struggled with injury last season. The former World No.2 was forced to retire due to injury during her round of 16 match at Stuttgart a few weeks ago. Subsequently, she lost in the first round of the Madrid Open as her free fall continues.

Nonetheless, the duo were seen engaged in an intense training session in Rome this week. During a particular impressive point, Badosa approached the net and hit a volley that should have been a winner. However, Fernandez somehow got to the ball, before hitting a spectacular lob winner that left both women laughing in disbelief afterwards.