“Facts are facts”: Leylah Fernandez hilariously admits her coaches are right about her 104 mph serve
WTAThursday, 03 September 2026 at 00:30
Leylah Fernandez has found an unusual source of motivation during her latest US Open run: a number displayed alongside some of the biggest servers in tennis. The Canadian was reminded of her 104 mph fastest serve while attending an event in New York, and the figure has since become a running joke within her team.
For Fernandez, however, the joke comes at a timely moment. The 2021 US Open runner-up has made another confident start at Flushing Meadows, reaching the third round without dropping a set after victories over Shuai Zhang and Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew.
She opened her campaign with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Zhang before dispatching Sawangkaew 6-4, 6-1. It marks the second consecutive year that Fernandez has reached the third round in New York, although she has not progressed beyond that stage at a Grand Slam since her run to the fourth round at Roland Garros in 2022.
Her reward is one of the toughest assignments available. Third seed Jessica Pegula awaits, with Fernandez attempting to reach the second week of a major for the first time in more than four years. Pegula leads their head-to-head 3-1 and claimed a dominant 6-2, 6-2 victory when they met earlier this season at the Miami Open.
“Oh my goodness, this is a huge jab at me”
The story behind Fernandez's 104 mph serve began away from the US Open courts. During an exhibition at the Waldorf Astoria, organisers displayed the fastest recorded serves of the participating players at the entrance.
Fernandez quickly noticed the contrast between her number and those of some of the game's biggest hitters.
“They put each player's fastest serve. So there was Ben Shelton's, like 138, 140, whatever his speed was," she said to Tennis Channel desk. "There is Tommy Paul's, Maria Sakkari's, which was 122 miles an hour, which was very fast. And then there's me, 104 miles an hour. And I'm like, oh my goodness, this is a huge jab at me.”
Her coaches have not allowed her to forget it either, turning the figure into an internal source of motivation.
“My coaches have been like, ‘104, not fast enough.’ Every time they say that, they know it irks me a little bit, but at the same time, facts are facts. So I just gotta keep working on it.”
The Canadian is nevertheless seeing progress in that department. Her two victories in New York have been built on efficient, controlled tennis, while she also pointed to improvements beyond simply adding speed to her delivery.
“I'm just kind of happy that so far, we've been working well on the serve, working well on the returns and everything else is good.”
Fernandez even has a new target in mind for the next edition of the exhibition. “Maybe by then, the serve will be like 110. If I get to 110, I'd be happy.”
Fernandez faces major test against Pegula
Whether 104 mph or eventually 110, Fernandez will need all parts of her game working against Pegula. The American has been equally impressive through two rounds and reached the third round after a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Sofia Kenin, losing just three points behind her first serve and never facing a break point.
The matchup also represents a chance for Fernandez to reverse recent history. Pegula has won three of their four meetings, including their one-sided Miami encounter this year. Fernandez's sole victory came at the 2025 DC Open, where she went on to capture her first WTA 500 title.
New York has already provided some of the biggest moments of Fernandez's career, most notably her run to the final as a teenager in 2021. Five years later, she returns to familiar territory with another opportunity to make a deep run — and perhaps prove that there is more to a serve than the number next to it.
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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