Leylah Fernandez named Canadian Press female athlete of the year

Following a breakthrough season that saw her finish runner-up at the US Open and crack the Top 25 rankings, Leylah Fernandez was bestowed with another honor; the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award.

The annual Rosenfeld award is given to the Canadian Press female athlete of the year, and votes are obtained from sports editors, writers and broadcasters across Canada. The 19-year old Montreal native received 12 of 45 votes, narrowly edging out swimmers Penny Oleksiak and Maggie Mac Neil who finished with 10 votes apiece.

"This award is going to be one of many she wins," said Tennis Canada president Michael Downey. "We just are so proud of this young woman, both for what she did on court but also what she does off court because her speech after she lost the (US Open) final was one for the ages.

"We're just so proud of her."

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Fernandez is the third tennis player to win the annual award in the last decade. Bianca Andreescu won it in 2019 and Eugenie Bouchard won it in 2013 and '14. She finished the 2021 season with a 25-17 record, earning US$1.77 million in prize money.

Soccer player Christine Sinclair took the Rosenfeld honor last year.

"I'm very honored to be amongst these athletes who've done so much for women's sports, and their respective sports, and even outside of their sports," Fernandez said. "Growing up, I've read about (Sinclair) in the news.

"I've seen how much she's accomplished and I'm honored to have my name right beside hers."