Leylah
Fernandez recently shared a lighthearted video where she sings a classic
Journey song, poking fun at herself for being a "terrible singer."
The
21-year-old Canadian tennis player is currently enjoying her off-season after a
demanding year, where she achieved a 39-24 record. Additionally, Fernandez
remained active on the doubles Tour alongside her regular partner, Taylor
Townsend, accumulating a record of 25-12 and participating in a total of 100
matches throughout the year, exclusively on the WTA Tour.
Although
Fernandez spent a significant part of the season fluctuating between the top 60
and top 80 rankings, she even came close to dropping out of the top 100 but
managed to make a comeback. The culmination of Fernandez's year was marked by a
strong finish, gaining momentum with the quarterfinals at the WTA 1000
Guadalajara Open. Just two weeks later, she clinched the title at the Hong Kong
Open and went on to reach the semifinals of the Nanchang Open.
Furthermore,
Fernandez concluded 2023 as the key player for the Canadian team, securing the
Billie Jean King Cup title for the first time in the nation's history. She
contributed both in singles and doubles. Fernandez appears filled with joy and
motivation for what lies ahead, as evidenced by a recent video of her singing
at a karaoke, where she humorously acknowledges that singing is not her
greatest talent:
“Just like
in tennis, where every rally teaches us something new, life throws us
opportunities to pick up new skills,” the Canadian wrote.
“I’m here
to share a little secret: I’m absolutely terrible at singing, but that doesn’t
stop me from belting out tunes in the shower, during car rides, or in front of
my entire family during the holidays,”
“Life is
too short to let fear of imperfection hold us back. Whether it’s hitting a high
note or a topspin forehand, the key is to dive in with passion and enthusiasm. 🎾🎤 Sure, you might hit a few sour
notes or miss a shot, but that’s part of the beautiful symphony of life.”
“It’s not
about being the best; it’s about being your best and enjoying the journey. 🌟💃 What’s your off-court passion?”
Leylah
Fernandez concluded the season as the World No. 35, marking her best ranking
since August 2022, precisely when she lost the points she earned in 2021 at
Flushing Meadows. As the 2024 season kicks off, she will have the opportunity
to vie for a seeded position at the Australian Open.
A strong
performance in the first week of the year could potentially elevate her in the
rankings, as only 30 points currently separate her from Emma Navarro, the
current World No. 32 and the eventual last seed at the Aussie Open.