Leylah
Fernandez explained the reasons why she swapped her Roger Federer On sneakers
for Breanna Stewart basketball shoes.
The
Canadian had a great week at the WTA 1000 Guadalajara Open, reaching the
quarterfinals, where she fell to Sofia Kenin 4-6, 7-6(6), 1-6. Fernandez earned
important points that will place her as the world No. 60 starting on Monday,
providing her with some comfort in her quest to approach the top 50 by the end
of the year.
The former
US Open finalist caught attention with her footwear change in Mexico, leaving
behind Roger Federer On sneakers for exclusive Breanna Stewart basketball
shoes, a notable choice on the tennis courts:
“I’ve been
getting a lot of questions and comments about that,” Leylah Fernandez said.
“Yes I am (wearing basketball shoes), I’m wearing Puma Stewie 2 and they feel
super comfortable. They actually look a lot like tennis shoes—that’s actually
where I saw them.”
“I saw it
close to the tennis shoes and it looked like a tennis shoe, and I’m like, Ah,
let me try this out. The clerk just told me, No, it’s basketball shoes,"
she continued. “And then, some funny statement my dad made… He said why not
just try it out on the tennis court? I’m like, yeah I’ll do it! Let me buy it
and let’s try it out. And I fell in love with it.”
“So far
it’s been going super well,” Leylah Fernandez said. “I’m feeling great on
court. I love the shoes, I love the colors. It matches super well with the
Lululemon outfit. “I’m super happy that I get to experiment on a couple of
things.”
The
21-year-old tennis player will have a couple of weeks of rest and then travel
to Asia to compete in the WTA 250 Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open, which
begins on October 9th. The tournament's top favorites include Victoria Azarenka
(17th) and Beatriz Haddad Maia (18th).
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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