Leylah Fernandez discussed her challenging 2023 season, which brought her to the brink of falling out of the top-100. The Canadian had an inconsistent year, although the final two months saw her achieve some results that gave her the opportunity to finish the year with renewed confidence.
In Grand Slam tournaments, she managed only a 3-4 record, reaching the second round in the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon, while exiting in the first round of the US Open. In WTA 1000 events, she achieved slightly better results with an 8-7 record, with her performance at the Guadalajara Open standing out, where she secured three victories and reached the quarterfinals.
Fernandez's inconsistency
Leylah
Fernandez spoke about her challenging 2023 season, which had her on the brink
of dropping out of the top-100. The Canadian experienced an inconsistent year,
although the last two months saw her achieve results that gave her the
opportunity to finish the year with renewed confidence.
In Grand
Slams, she had a modest record of 3-4, reaching the second round in the
Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon, while exiting in the first round
of the US Open. In WTA 1000 events, she achieved slightly better results with
an 8-7 record, with her performance at the Guadalajara Open standing out, where
she secured three victories and reached the quarterfinals.
The
21-year-old dropped to world No. 96 after a second-round defeat at Roland
Garros, losing a significant portion of her points as she couldn't defend her
previous year's quarterfinal appearance.
"I
lost my identity on the tennis court. I wanted to change my tennis, and it
didn't help me. I lost a lot in the first and second rounds," Fernandez
said. "But I'm very lucky to have parents who are honest with me. My
father Jorge told me that I was lost on the courts, that I didn't seem to be
having fun like before."
"It
wasn't a very good season for me. I give myself 4 out of 10 if I can be honest.
It gave me a lot of confidence for the pre-season, to start training again and
play well, I hope, in 2024," former world No. 13 added.
Strong Finish to the Year
By
mid-September, she was outside the top 70, but a surge in the last month of
competition brought her back to the higher ranks, finishing the year as No. 35.
This puts her close to the seeded positions for Grand Slams, something she
could secure with a strong performance in the first week of the 2024 season.
With a
notable campaign in Guadalajara and then clinching the title at the WTA 250
Nanchang Open, Fernandez entered the Billie Jean King Cup with great
confidence. She led the Canadian team with two victories, securing their
first-ever trophy in the competition's history.
"During
my training with my father, I began to rediscover the pleasure of playing
beautiful tennis. Not just thinking about hitting the ball hard. Having fun
playing volleys, drop shots, slices. I think it showed at the end of the year
with a singles title," Fernandez said.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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