Leylah on the sacrifices her parents made for her career
Fernandez’s story is unique: her father, Jorge, is a former elite soccer player who helped his daughter learn the sport and served as her first coach. When Leylah proved to be an impressive junior, the family made the painful decision to split up and move Jorge and Leylah to the United States so she could pursue advancement.
It’s an experience that still stays with her.
“It was a bit difficult; “My parents had to sell everything they owned, their car, their jewelry, everything that was important to them just to help me achieve my dream,” Fernandez remembers.
“I am very lucky to have parents who have helped me so much in this regard,” she added. “And also to have had the chance to travel to so many places with my dad for the first time and see the ocean for the first time… it’s really special.”
Fernandez credits her father with helping her develop her never-say-die approach, a part of her game that has become well-known in women’s tennis: Leylah never gives up.
“He taught me how to fight on the court, but also.” [how] “To play with a different style by hitting the ball earlier, playing with more angles and using my skills against players who would be bigger and stronger than me,” she said.
“Gamer. Introvert. Problem solver. Creator. Thinker. Lifelong food evangelist. Alcohol advocate.”