“She’s always going to find a way to win”: Leylah Fernandez recalls what a Serena Williams matchup would mean
WTAFriday, 24 July 2026 at 19:30
Leylah Fernandez has admitted that facing Serena Williams would be a special moment in her career, with the Canadian star revealing what it would mean to compete against one of the biggest inspirations of her tennis journey. With Serena exploring a possible return to singles competition, Fernandez acknowledged the significance of a potential meeting at the Canadian Open.
The Williams sisters have been a major influence on Fernandez’s family since the beginning of her career. Alongside her younger sister Bianca, Leylah grew up inspired by Serena and Venus, while being guided by their father Jorge Fernandez, a former Ecuadorian football player who transitioned into tennis coaching to help develop his daughters’ careers. Jorge remains Leylah’s coach today.
Serena Williams returned to singles action at Wimbledon after nearly three years away from the Tour, but her comeback was interrupted when a knee injury forced her to withdraw from the doubles event alongside Venus. While her next appearance remains uncertain, the Canadian Open has emerged as one of the possible destinations, with tournament organisers confirming they remain in contact with her team.
A potential clash in Toronto would have a special meaning for Fernandez, who has already shared the court with Venus in doubles but has never faced either Williams sister in singles. The Canadian admitted that playing against Serena is something she imagined when she first started competing professionally and described the opportunity as a dream scenario.
“It’s very inspiring”: Fernandez explains Serena and Venus’ impact
Speaking about Serena’s return with TSN, Fernandez highlighted the importance of seeing one of tennis’ greatest champions continue competing despite the challenges that come with age and injuries.
“It’s exciting; seeing Serena playing is a joy,” Fernandez said. “When I first started playing, she was kind of at the end of her career, she was thinking about retirement, so I didn’t see her much.”
Serena Williams made her first singles appearance in almost four years in the first round of Wimbledon, where she lost to Maya Joint.
The Canadian explained that Serena’s comeback has allowed her to appreciate the American’s influence from a closer perspective, after watching her train and compete again. “Now that she’s back, I got to see her train a little bit, got to see her play some doubles and then some singles. It’s really exciting.”
For Fernandez, the Williams sisters represent much more than their achievements on court. Their longevity and ability to continue competing at the highest level have become another example of their impact on younger generations of players.
“They’re definitely legends of the sport, and they’re continuing to prove that the love for the sport is greater than any age or any difficulties that you may face physically,” she added.
A possible singles meeting against Serena would also complete a long-standing ambition for Fernandez, who grew up watching the American dominate the sport.
“I did think about that from the very beginning when I first started playing tennis,” the 2021 US Open finalist said. “I was watching Serena, and I was like, how cool would it be playing Serena, Serena and Venus, playing against one of my idols.”
Fernandez admitted she would need to manage her emotions if that opportunity arrives, but believes the match would be a memorable battle. “It would be an exciting match; hopefully I won’t be too nervous and give away too many easy points, but it will be a battle. Serena, she is a champion; she’s always going to find a way to win a match.”
Fernandez hopes for another family moment with Bianca
Beyond the possibility of facing Serena Williams, Fernandez is also hoping to create another special memory at the Canadian Open alongside her younger sister Bianca.
The Fernandez sisters previously received a wildcard into the doubles draw in Toronto and produced a memorable run to the semifinals, becoming one of the stories of the tournament while representing Canada on home soil.
“I am hoping for a reunion there,” Leylah said when asked about the possibility of teaming up with Bianca again. “We will see if we get the chance to play together and hopefully play as a family, represent Canada, and everyone on the big stage again in Toronto.”
Their previous campaign remains one of the highlights of their partnership, with the sisters enjoying the opportunity to compete together while overcoming difficult matches.
“We did so well two years ago, getting to the semis, and just going through some tough battles and just enjoying ourselves on the court,” Fernandez recalled. “I feel like it was a dream come true, and hopefully we can reproduce that this year.”
Whether Fernandez receives another wildcard alongside Bianca remains to be seen, but the Canadian Open could once again become a meaningful event for the family — either through another doubles run or the possibility of Leylah finally facing one of her childhood idols.
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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