"Honestly it's not because I want to protect my sister": Leylah Fernandez wouldn't let ATP stars near sibling but for different reason

Thursday, 09 April 2026 at 22:30

Leylah Fernandez showed off her personality in a fun and fast-paced appearance on Tennis Channel’s “Confessional Cart,” delivering a mix of honesty, humour and confidence as she tackled a series of quick-fire questions.

The Canadian star, who had done the segment before, immediately settled into the light-hearted format—though not without a hint of hesitation when the rules were explained. “Uh oh,” she laughed, before diving in.

When asked when she first realised she was good at tennis, Fernandez pointed to an early milestone that boosted her belief. “It was probably when I won the U16 Nationals when I was 12 years old,” she said. “That was when I said, ‘Yeah, I’m pretty good at tennis.’”

She was also happy to share the proper pronunciation of her full name, saying: “Leylah Annie Fernandez.”

Off the court, Fernandez revealed the small but important support system she leans on after difficult matches. “I’ve got two people—either my boyfriend or my sister. Those are the two I call,” she explained.

Fernandez shares hot takes and why she wouldn't let her sister date ATP stars

Her protective instincts—and sense of humour—came out when asked which player on tour she would let date her sister. “No one,” she said. “Honestly, it’s not because I want to protect my sister—I want to protect the guys.”

Fernandez didn’t hesitate when it came to a non-tennis opinion she firmly stands by. “Airplane food is bad,” she declared. “Maybe one time I had a good meal on a plane, but most of the time it’s not that good.”

Turning back to the tour, she singled out Anna Kalinskaya as an underrated competitor. “She’s so quiet, but super competitive,” Fernandez noted.

She also took a moment to deliver a positive message to fans watching. “Be confident. Be proud. You can do it. Tackle your day with positivity.”

The rapid-fire round brought out quick, decisive answers. Fernandez said she would rather be mic’d up during a match than on a date—“100%”—and named Roger Federer as the GOAT. When it came to swearing, she kept it clean: “I don’t say anything.” For off-court glamour, she chose the Met Gala over a Vogue cover, and unsurprisingly picked the Confessional Cart over a traditional press conference—“100%.”

The final question, passed on from a previous player, sparked a moment of surprise. Asked who she would most like to have dinner with—provided they were no longer alive—Fernandez laughed: “Oh, what? They have to be dead?”

After a brief pause, she settled on a global icon. “Great question… probably Michael Jackson. Definitely Michael Jackson.”

Before stepping off, Fernandez added her own question for the next guest, keeping things light and playful: “Would you rather surf or snowboard?”

Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief

Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.

Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.

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