“We made eye contact but...”: Leylah Fernandez shares her funny Steph Curry encounter

Sunday, 02 August 2026 at 06:30

Leylah Fernandez continued her great form to win the Pan Pacific Open

Leylah Fernandez does not usually describe herself as the type of person who approaches celebrities and starts conversations. But during a recent appearance at the ESPY Awards, the Canadian star found herself sharing a memorable moment with one of her favorite athletes: NBA superstar Stephen Curry.

Appearing on Andy Roddick’s Served Podcast, Fernandez revealed that she had the chance to meet Curry at the prestigious sporting event in New York. The Canadian admitted she was excited after seeing the Golden State Warriors star, but her personality almost prevented her from making the most of the opportunity.

“I’m shy, I don’t come up to people and start a conversation. So I would kind of like be there and I saw Steph Curry... and we made eye contact but I didn’t take that step forward,” Fernandez said.

Fortunately for Fernandez, she was accompanied by her boyfriend Vincent Boily, an Olympic ice sledge hockey player who she described as the complete opposite of her when it comes to social situations. While Fernandez hesitated to approach Curry, Boily took the initiative and helped create the interaction that left the Canadian with a story to remember.

Fernandez reveals Steph Curry encounter and boyfriend’s role

Fernandez explained that seeing Curry was a memorable experience, but she was too shy to approach the NBA champion despite having the opportunity.

The Canadian recalled that Curry was interacting with other guests at the event, but she could not convince herself to make the first move. “I saw him, he was like doing it with everyone, but I was just too shy to actually take that step,” Fernandez said.

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A post shared by Leylah Annie Fernandez (@leylahfernandez)

The Canadian star then explained how Boily’s personality is very different from hers and why that dynamic helps her in those situations. “My boyfriend... he’s a total opposite of me,” the 2021 US Open runner-up added. “He will go up to people and start the conversation, then I’ll kind of chime in and just be there.”

The story comes as Fernandez prepares for the Canadian Open, where she enters the tournament as the No. 30 seed. The Canadian received a first-round bye and will begin her campaign in Toronto against the winner between Renata Zarazua and Tamara Korpatsch.

Fernandez opens up on new coach and US Open mixed doubles plans

Beyond her upcoming Canadian Open campaign, Fernandez also discussed two important developments ahead of the final stretch of the season: her new coaching partnership with Eric Hechtman and her upcoming US Open mixed doubles debut alongside Frances Tiafoe.

Hechtman, who previously worked with Venus Williams and was also part of Serena Williams’ coaching team, brings experience from working with some of the most successful players in tennis history.

“It’s been a few years that my dad and I have been talking about adding another coach to help out and share the weeks with him,” Fernandez said. “The first reason was because my dad also has other projects. He wants to help out my sister a little bit more and another player, Jaden. He can’t be in three places all at once.”

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After speaking with different candidates, Fernandez said Hechtman stood out because of his experience and the similarities between their approaches to tennis. “We’ve been patient. We’ve been looking, talking with different coaches, seeing which one would be the right fit,” Fernandez explained. “We liked how his mentality and his game style seemed to align a lot with our mentality and game style.”

The former US Open finalist will also enter a new challenge in New York, where she will team up with Frances Tiafoe in the mixed doubles event. “With Frances, our relationship has always been kind of like a sibling relationship. He’s so funny. He always makes me laugh. He’s a great guy and a great tennis player too. He puts in the work,” Fernandez said.

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The Canadian added that the pair had previously joked about playing mixed doubles together before the opportunity became realistic at the US Open.

“We’ve always talked about maybe playing mixed doubles, but sometimes it was kind of in a joking manner because we’re always so focused on singles,” Fernandez said. “Then we saw that the US Open was an opportunity for both of us. Unfortunately, his last partner got injured, so she couldn’t play, but I’m just happy that he said yes to me.”

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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